Bloodborne pathogens are a serious threat in the workplace. They can cause serious illness in employees and even death. Fortunately, there's a way to protect yourself from this danger: bloodborne pathogen certification. If you're not sure what bloodborne pathogens are or why they pose such a threat, read on to learn more about certification requirements and how to get yours.
What is Bloodborne Pathogen Certification?
What is Bloodborne Pathogen Certification?
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease in humans. The Centers for Disease Control lists the following as examples of bloodborne pathogens: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and other infectious diseases that are transmitted by blood. The mandate requires employers to provide training on how to recognize, avoid and prevent exposure to these potentially life-threatening diseases. Employees must also be certified with a valid certificate before they can perform tasks that could expose them to bloodborne pathogens at work sites or during offsite assignments such as field trips or meetings held away from the office building where they normally work every day.
Who Needs to Be Certified?
Who is required to be certified?
All workers who may come in contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) must be trained on how to protect themselves, as well as others. This includes:
- Healthcare professionals, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, and public safety workers
- Anyone who works in a laboratory setting, including phlebotomists, surgical technicians, and other similar positions
- Workers in medical or dental offices where patients are treated for injuries that could result in exposure to bloodborne pathogens
How to Get Certified?
To become certified, you must take a training course and pass a test. Then you'll be issued an official certificate that shows the company cares about your health and safety.
Certification lasts for three years, but it's important to renew your certification every year or two because it expires after three years. The window is short so make sure you don't miss it!
Certification shows your coworkers that the company cares about their well-being too - which makes them more likely to stay with the company longer than they would otherwise have stayed if they didn't feel like their employer cared about them enough to ensure they were protected from bloodborne pathogens by providing this important protection measure in place at all times while working on site together throughout each day's activities."
Why Is It Important to Be Certified?
Bloodborne Pathogens certification maybe a requirement for persons in particular fields in the United States. It is a way to protect yourself and others from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Bloodborne pathogens are diseases that can be transmitted through contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids. They include hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and other types of viruses such as West Nile Virus.
Being certified means you have knowledge about how to work safely with these materials and equipment, as well as how to protect yourself from them if you get contaminated; this protects your coworkers in case they come into contact with any contaminated materials on your clothing or body during an emergency situation where there isn't enough time for proper decontamination procedures before leaving work premises
The bloodborne pathogens certification is an important way to protect yourself and your coworkers.
The bloodborne pathogens certification is an important way to protect yourself and your coworkers.
The certification also helps protect the public by ensuring that healthcare workers are aware of potential hazards and have been trained in how best to handle them. In addition, it can help keep workplaces safe from accidental exposure to bloodborne pathogens because employees who understand the risks of exposure will be less likely to come into contact with infectious materials at work or at home. The standard requires employers with specific numbers of employees (25 or more) working onsite for at least 90 days per year must provide training within 10 days after the hire date/return from leave/transfer into a new position; otherwise, they must provide training within 30 days after hire date/return from leave/transfer into a new position if no other employee has been trained within 30 days prior thereto - whichever comes first!
Conclusion
The bloodborne pathogens certification is an important way to protect yourself and your coworkers. It can help you avoid being exposed to bloodborne pathogens in the workplace and make sure that others are also safe from these dangerous diseases. If you're looking for more information on how this certification works or want help getting certified, contact us today!