Oct 2021

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than 5.5 million workers are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens at work. While most of these workers are in the health care industry, workers in support roles — such as logistics, transportation, and specialized waste handling — share the hazard. In order to protect these workers, OSHA standards require employers to take certain steps to manage the hazard, including during risky waste handling tasks.

For industrial workers, personal protective equipment (PPE) isn’t optional. PPE in the workplace provides a crucial layer of protection from toxic substances and chemicals. Employers have a responsibility to provide appropriate PPE for the task at hand and provide workers with training.