Bloodborne Pathogens Engineering and Work Practice Controls
63 flashcards covering Bloodborne Pathogens Engineering and Work Practice Controls for the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens section.
Bloodborne pathogens engineering and work practice controls address methods to minimize exposure risks in workplaces handling blood or other potentially infectious materials. These include engineering controls like safer medical devices and work practices such as proper handwashing and safe sharps handling, all defined by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) for construction and general industry.
On OSHA Outreach Training exams, this topic typically features multiple-choice questions asking you to identify specific controls or apply them to scenarios, such as distinguishing between engineering solutions and administrative practices. A common trap is confusing personal protective equipment with engineering controls, leading to incorrect answers about primary prevention methods.
One overlooked tip: Always inspect and maintain engineering controls, like sharps containers, to ensure they function properly and prevent accidental exposures.
Terms (63)
- 01
What are engineering controls for bloodborne pathogens?
Engineering controls are physical or mechanical systems designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such as sharps disposal containers and needleless systems (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)).
- 02
Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, what must employers use to isolate or remove bloodborne pathogen hazards?
Employers must use engineering controls to isolate or remove bloodborne pathogen hazards from the workplace, including safer medical devices where feasible (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)).
- 03
How often must the exposure control plan be reviewed for bloodborne pathogens?
The exposure control plan must be reviewed at least annually and whenever necessary to reflect changes in exposure incidents (29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)).
- 04
What is required when selecting work practice controls for bloodborne pathogens?
Work practice controls must eliminate or minimize employee exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed, such as prohibiting recapping of needles by hand (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(iii)).
- 05
Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, what engineering control is needed for contaminated sharps?
Contaminated sharps must be placed in containers that are closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof on the sides and bottom, and labeled or color-coded (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(1)).
- 06
What work practice control prevents exposure to bloodborne pathogens during procedures?
Employees must wash hands immediately or as soon as feasible after removal of gloves or other personal protective equipment (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(iv)).
- 07
How must employers implement engineering controls for bloodborne pathogens in healthcare settings?
Employers must implement engineering controls like safer needle devices to reduce exposure, considering the most effective options available (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(ii)).
- 08
What is the purpose of work practice controls in bloodborne pathogens standards?
Work practice controls are methods that reduce the likelihood of exposure by changing how tasks are done, such as not bending, recapping, or removing contaminated needles (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii)).
- 09
Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, when must engineering controls be examined and maintained?
Engineering controls must be examined and maintained or replaced on a regularly scheduled basis to ensure their effectiveness (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(v)).
- 10
What work practice is prohibited when handling contaminated needles?
Bending, recapping, or removing contaminated needles is prohibited unless the employer can demonstrate that no alternative is feasible or that such action is required by a specific medical procedure (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii)(A)).
- 11
A worker is handling blood samples. What engineering control should be used?
Use engineering controls such as mechanical pipetting devices to minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)).
- 12
How often must training on bloodborne pathogens include engineering controls?
Training must be provided at the time of initial assignment and annually thereafter, covering topics like engineering and work practice controls (29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)).
- 13
What must be done before performing procedures involving bloodborne pathogens?
Employers must ensure that engineering and work practice controls are properly implemented to minimize exposure prior to performing procedures (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)).
- 14
Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, what control must be used for blood collection devices?
Safer medical devices, such as needleless systems or shielded needle devices, must be used as engineering controls for blood collection (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)).
- 15
What work practice control is required after contact with blood?
Immediately flush exposed skin or mucous membranes with water following contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(iv)).
- 16
A healthcare worker has an exposure incident. What control should have prevented it?
Engineering controls like sharps containers and work practice controls like proper handling techniques should have been in place to prevent exposure (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)).
- 17
What engineering control is specified for disposing of contaminated items?
Use of appropriate containers that are designed to safely contain contaminated items, such as biohazard bags for non-sharps (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)).
- 18
How must work areas be managed to control bloodborne pathogens?
Work practice controls must include prohibiting eating, drinking, and applying cosmetics in areas where there is potential exposure (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(v)).
- 19
Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, what is required for specimen handling?
Specimens must be placed in a container that prevents leakage during collection, handling, processing, storage, transport, or shipping (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(i)).
- 20
What work practice must be followed when cleaning contaminated equipment?
Equipment must be cleaned and decontaminated as soon as feasible after use, using appropriate engineering controls like automated cleaning devices (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)).
- 21
What defines an effective engineering control for bloodborne pathogens?
An effective engineering control is one that eliminates or isolates the hazard, such as using self-sheathing needles (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)).
- 22
How often must employees be informed about engineering controls?
Employees must be informed about engineering controls during initial training and annually thereafter (29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii)).
- 23
Before entering a area with potential bloodborne exposure, what must a worker do?
Workers must ensure that engineering controls, like ventilation systems if applicable, and work practice controls are in place (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)).
- 24
A lab technician spills blood. What work practice control applies?
Immediately contain and clean up the spill using appropriate procedures, such as using absorbent materials and disinfectants (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)).
- 25
Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, what control is needed for laundry contaminated with blood?
Contaminated laundry must be handled as little as possible and placed in bags that are labeled or color-coded (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)(A)(1)).
- 26
What work practice prevents mouth pipetting of blood?
Mechanical devices must be used for pipetting or suctioning instead of mouth pipetting (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(vi)).
- 27
How must engineering controls be evaluated for effectiveness?
Engineering controls must be evaluated regularly to ensure they are effectively minimizing exposure (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(v)).
- 28
A worker uses a needle. What engineering control reduces risk?
Use of retractable needles or other safer medical devices as engineering controls (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)).
- 29
What is the first step in implementing work practice controls?
Identify tasks that may involve exposure and apply work practices to minimize risk, such as using alternatives to sharps (29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(2)).
- 30
Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, what must be in place for HIV and HBV research labs?
Engineering controls like Class I or II biological safety cabinets must be used for procedures with a high risk of exposure (29 CFR 1910.1030(e)(3)).
- 31
What work practice is required for eating in work areas?
Eating, drinking, smoking, and applying cosmetics are prohibited in areas where there is potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(v)).
- 32
How often must the effectiveness of work practice controls be assessed?
Work practice controls must be assessed as part of the annual review of the exposure control plan (29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)).
- 33
A nurse handles surgical instruments. What engineering control is needed?
Use of puncture-resistant containers for disposing of contaminated instruments (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)).
- 34
What engineering control is used for aerosol-generating procedures?
Use of biological safety cabinets to contain aerosols during procedures involving bloodborne pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030(e)(3)).
- 35
Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, what practice minimizes exposure during phlebotomy?
Using engineering controls like evacuated tube systems and work practices like one-handed needlestick techniques (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii)).
- 36
What must be done when work practices fail to control exposure?
Additional engineering controls or personal protective equipment must be implemented if work practices are not sufficient (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(1)).
- 37
How are work practice controls documented in the exposure plan?
The exposure control plan must include a schedule and method for implementing work practice controls (29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(2)).
- 38
A worker notices a faulty sharps container. What should they do?
Report it immediately so that the engineering control can be replaced or maintained (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(v)).
- 39
What work practice is required for transporting specimens?
Specimens must be placed in secondary containers that are leakproof and labeled (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(i)).
- 40
Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, what control is for housekeeping in contaminated areas?
Regular housekeeping to clean and decontaminate work surfaces using appropriate disinfectants as a work practice control (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)).
- 41
What engineering control is mandatory for HIV and HBV production?
Use of facilities with controlled access and engineering controls like ventilated hoods (29 CFR 1910.1030(e)(4)).
- 42
How must employees be trained on work practice controls?
Training must include opportunities for interactive questions on work practice controls (29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(viii)).
- 43
Before using a new device, what control must be evaluated?
Engineering controls must be evaluated to ensure they effectively reduce exposure before implementation (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(iii)).
- 44
A patient has a bloodborne disease. What control applies for staff?
Universal precautions, including engineering and work practice controls, must be used for all patients (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(1)).
- 45
Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, what is required for contaminated waste?
Contaminated waste must be placed in closable, labeled containers as an engineering control (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)).
- 46
What work practice prevents contamination of surfaces?
Work practices must include covering surfaces with plastic-backed absorbent paper where gross contamination may occur (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)).
- 47
How often must engineering controls be part of exposure evaluations?
Engineering controls must be evaluated as part of the annual exposure control plan review (29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)).
- 48
A worker must recap a needle. What work practice allows this?
Recapping is allowed only if a mechanical device or a one-handed technique is used (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii)(A)).
- 49
What engineering control is for blood drawing in labs?
Use of evacuated tube systems as an engineering control for blood drawing (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)).
- 50
Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, what practice is for handwashing facilities?
Handwashing facilities must be readily accessible to employees as a work practice control (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(i)).
- 51
What must be included in work practice controls for sharps?
Work practices must restrict the use of sharps where feasible and promote safer alternatives (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)).
- 52
How are engineering controls prioritized in exposure control?
Engineering controls must be used first to eliminate or minimize exposure before relying on personal protective equipment (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(1)).
- 53
A spill occurs in a biohazard area. What work practice follows?
Contain the spill immediately and decontaminate the area using approved disinfectants (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)).
- 54
What engineering control is for processing blood in labs?
Use of centrifuges with safety lids as engineering controls (29 CFR 1910.1030(e)(3)).
- 55
Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, what control is for regulated waste?
Regulated waste must be placed in compatible, labeled containers that are closable (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)).
- 56
What work practice is for removing protective clothing?
Remove protective clothing in a manner that minimizes exposure, such as avoiding contact with the outer surface (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(vii)).
- 57
How must work practices be enforced in the workplace?
Employers must enforce work practices through training and supervision to ensure compliance (29 CFR 1910.1030(g)).
- 58
A worker enters a contaminated room. What control is first?
Ensure engineering controls like ventilation are operational before entry (29 CFR 1910.1030(e)(3)).
- 59
What engineering control is for dental procedures?
Use of high-volume evacuators to control aerosols during dental procedures (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)).
- 60
Under 29 CFR 1910.1030, what is required for eye protection?
Work practices must include the use of appropriate eye protection when splashes are anticipated (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(iii)).
- 61
What work practice is for storing contaminated items?
Contaminated items must be stored in labeled containers that prevent leakage (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)).
- 62
How often must employees review engineering controls?
Employees must review engineering controls during annual training sessions (29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)).
- 63
What control prevents needlestick injuries?
Engineering controls like retractable needles and work practices like safe handling techniques (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)).