Which governmental agency governs the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) governs the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. OSHA is responsible for ensuring safe and healthful working conditions by establishing and enforcing standards for workplace safety. The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard was developed to protect workers who may be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials, establishing protocols for exposure control, personal protective equipment, and procedures for handling and disposing of biohazardous waste.

This standard is critical for various industries, particularly those involved in healthcare, where employees may encounter bloodborne pathogens such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C. OSHA outlines training requirements that employers must provide, ensuring that workers have the knowledge and resources to minimize risks associated with exposure.

Other agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have important roles in public health and food safety, respectively, but they do not govern workplace safety standards like OSHA does. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focuses primarily on environmental protection laws rather than workplace safety regulations directly. Thus, OSHA is the correct answer as the governing body behind the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.