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Dealing with bloodborne pathogens ― Q & A

Q. How do I know if the bloodborne pathogen standard pertains to my agency?
A. Review the OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (pdf).

Q. What are the responsibilities and requirements for employers who have employees with reasonably anticipated occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)?
A. Check out this compliance checklist (pdf).

Q. Where can I find a model exposure control plan?
A. Download model exposure control plan. (Word)

Q. What happens if an employee experiences a possible blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) exposure?
A. This post-exposure protocol flow chart (pdf) provides employers guidance on responding to an exposure incident.

Confined Space Entry (CSE)

    MN OSHA

    Federal OSHA

Emergency Action Plan

    OSHA revises exit route standard

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has rewritten the requirements for exiting buildings during an emergency in a user-friendly format that is easier to understand. The revised exit routes, emergency action plans, and fire prevention plans standard was adopted by Minnesota OSHA.

The requirements for exit routes have been rewritten in simple, easy-to-understand terms. For example, "Means of Egress" is now "Exit Routes." The text has been reorganized and inconsistencies and duplicative requirements have been removed. The revised rule has fewer subparagraphs and a smaller number of cross-references to other OSHA standards than the previous version.

To help evaluate a worksite and answer questions, visit OSHA's eTool on evacuation plans and procedures. (htm)

Another great resource for assistance and information on fire protection is the State Fire Marshal Division website. (htm)

First Aid/CPR/Automated External Defibrillator resources

    First Aid/CPR/AED Training and Products

  • Capitol Security ― For first aid, CPR certification/recertification and AED training courses, call 651/296-0032.
  • Minnesota Safety Council ― For first aid, CPR and AED training courses, first aid kits, AED products and related consulting services, call 651/291-9150 or 1-800/444-9150, or visit www.minnesotasafetycouncil.org/firstaid/

    First Aid Kit Recommendations for the Workplace

    Automated External Defibrillator (AED) implementation guidelines

  • Federal Occupational Health Public Defibrillation Guidelines ― provide details for establishing a “public access” defibrillation program in federal buildings. Public access to defibrillation means making AEDs accessible to properly trained lay responders in non-medical settings  www.foh.dhhs.gov/Public/WhatWeDo/AED/HHSAED.ASP (htm)
  • The American Heart Association Automated External Defibrillation Implementation Guide. ― includes key considerations, decisions and procedures for implementing an AED program. www.americanheart.org/ (pdf)

Flood safety

Filling, Moving and Placing Sandbags

Flood Cleanup

Cleanup Hazards

Injury/Illness Recordkeeping

Hitting the LOTO with Lockout/Tagout!

OSHA Standard, 29 CFR 1910.147, “The Control of Hazardous Energy,” otherwise known as Lockout/Tagout (LO/TO) covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which “unexpected” energization or start-up, or release of stored energy could cause injury. This standard establishes minimum performance requirements for the control of hazardous energy.

In 2003 and 2004, most injury and fatality related investigations conducted by OSHA resulted in citations relating to LO/TO.

Major components of the LO/TO standard are:

1. Developing LO/TO procedures specific for each type of machine or equipment and providing the appropriate locking and tagging devices

2. Training and communication to authorized, affected and other employees regarding the energy control program, responsibilities and exposure levels; certification of training shall be documented

3. Annual evaluation of program effectiveness, including the review of lockout procedures and changes in equipment; performing an inspection evaluating each authorized employee's performance of responsibilities under the energy control procedures; and maintaining certified training records

  • Additional resources: OSHA's standards regarding electrical safety work, 1910.331 ― 1910.335.

    Sample lockout/tagout plan

The sample lockout/tagout plan provides employers with an easy-to-use format for developing a written lockout/tagout plan, which is required by the lockout/tagout standard. Each employer will need to adjust or adapt the model for their specific use.

This information is not considered a substitute for the OSHA Act or any provisions of OSHA standards. It provides general guidance on a particular standard-related topic but should not be considered a definitive interpretation for compliance with OSHA requirements. Employers should consult the OSHA standard in its entirety for specific compliance requirements.

The following links offer additional information regarding LO/TO compliance:

Personal protective equipment assessment assistance

The OSHA Standard on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 1910.132, details the employer's responsibility in providing appropriate equipment for employees. Employees can be exposed to occupational hazards that are capable of causing injury or impairment through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.

OSHA requires the use of PPE to reduce employees' exposures to hazards when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or effective in reducing exposures to acceptable levels.

The following forms/tools (A through D) are available to assist the employer in compliance with the standard:

A. Form A  helps the individual conducting the PPE assessment for the particular job, position or department. The form offers assistance to the assessor by providing examples of hazards that are present or are likely to be present as part of the assessment. In addition to the on-site assessment, reports such as incident logs, first reports of injury forms, first aid logs and previous OSHA 200 logs and current OSHA 300 logs should be included as part of the evaluation. The assessor should document any related hazards. (Word)

B. Form B assists the employer in documenting the selected type of PPE and sizes available for employees. Employees must be involved in the selection of appropriate PPE. Remember: “One size does not fit all!” (Word)

C. Form C is a training documentation tool. Training is required for each employee who will wear PPE. As part of the training, each employee must demonstrate an understanding of the training and the ability to use PPE properly. Retraining is necessary when changes in the workplace and/or PPE render previous training obsolete and when an employee's knowledge or skill of use of  PPE is observed as inadequate. (Word)

D. Form D provides the necessary documentation for a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, date(s) of assessment and the name of person certifying that the evaluation has been performed. (Word)

Always refer to the standard for 100 percent compliance information. The forms can be used for assistance and general guidance, but should not be considered as a definitive interpretation for compliance with OSHA requirements.

Please consult other OSHA Standards on PPE, including, but not limited to 1910.133 Eye & Face Protection; 1910.134 Respiratory Protection; 1910.134 Head Protection; 1910.136 Occupational Foot Protection; 1910.137 Electrical Protective Devices; 1910.138 Hand Protection; and 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens.

OSHA website for personal protective equipment (htm)

Safety committee effectiveness

Labor Management Safety Committees can be an effective safety programming tool if barriers are eliminated and the committee and its members have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. To assist state agencies create more effective safety committees, review the following documents developed jointly by MN OSHA Workplace Consultation and the Bureau of Mediation Services. Most of these documents can be downloaded and modified.

The need for and requirements of Labor Management Safety Committees are also detailed in Labor Contracts and Plans

For more information on safety committees and their requirements, visit:

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