Requirements under Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030

• Use safer needle devices and needleless devices to decrease needlestick or other sharps exposures.
• Properly handle and dispose of needles and other sharps according to the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
• For more information, see Hospital-Wide Hazards – Bloodborne Pathogens.

Recognized Controls and Work Practices

*Note: Some of these controls and practices may also be required by the Bloodborne Pathogens standard or other OSHA standards

• Sharps handling: All syringes and needles used in the course of preparation are to be placed in "sharps" containers for disposal without being crushed or clipped. [Controlling Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Drugs (Section V, E, #3)]
• Priming of tubing for hazardous drugs: Drug administration sets are to be attached and primed within a C-PEC prior to addition of the drug. This eliminates the need to prime the set in a less well-controlled environment. [Controlling Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Drugs (Section V, E, #4)] Priming is to be done with a non-drug containing solution or with the use of a back-flow closed system.
• Labeling practices: In addition to standard pharmacy labeling practices, label all syringes and IV bags containing hazardous drugs with a warning label such as: "Special Handling/Disposal Precautions." [Controlling Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Drugs (Section V, E, #2)].

Additional Information

See OSHA Safety and Health Topics page - Personal Protective Equipment and Hospital-wide Hazards - Bloodborne Pathogens.