Bloodborne pathogens training has to be repeated at least once a year, so trainers in healthcare, dental offices, cleaning, tattoo studios and first aid teams run it again and again. A live quiz keeps the yearly session from turning into a slideshow.
Who must be trained, and how often
Every employee with occupational exposure, meaning reasonably anticipated contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials as part of the job, must be trained (29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)). Training is:
- at no cost to the employee and during working hours;
- given at the time of initial assignment to tasks with exposure;
- repeated at least annually, within one year of the previous training;
- given in a way that is appropriate to the employees' education, literacy and language.
Training records are kept for 3 years from the date of the training (1910.1030(h)(2)).
What the training covers
The minimum content (1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)) includes an accessible copy of the standard and an explanation of it, how bloodborne diseases are transmitted, the employer's Exposure Control Plan and how to get a copy, how to recognize tasks with exposure, engineering controls, work practices and PPE, the hepatitis B vaccine, what to do in an emergency and after an exposure incident, the signs, labels and color coding, and an opportunity for interactive questions and answers with the person conducting the training.
That last point is why a live quiz fits so well: every question is a moment for the group to ask "why?" with the trainer in the room.
Topics that make good questions
- Universal precautions: all human blood and certain body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious.
- Sharps: contaminated needles are not bent, recapped or removed, except where the standard allows it with a mechanical device or a one-handed technique; sharps containers are closable, puncture resistant, leakproof on sides and bottom, and labeled or color-coded.
- Hand washing immediately or as soon as feasible after removing gloves.
- PPE provided at no cost to the employee.
- Hepatitis B vaccination made available within 10 working days of initial assignment, after training, at no cost.
- Labels that are fluorescent orange or orange-red.
Running the annual review
Use the quiz in the middle of the session rather than at the end, so the answers start the discussion the standard asks for. If you need a record, Test mode keeps named answers and a report with the date. Quizhat is an independent tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by OSHA.