Is shielding required during cap removal from BD blood tubes with a Hemogard® closure?
Reply: Blood tubes with Hemogard® closure have been designed to minimize spatter during the removal of blood tube caps. The manufacturers of blood tubes with Hemogard® closure provide specific instructions on the proper technique required to ensure that the device functions as intended. It is important to keep in mind that the effectiveness of an engineering device is often dependent upon the user. Additionally, compliance with the bloodborne pathogens standard requires, among other things, the use of engineering controls and appropriate work practices for preventing exposure to blood or OPIM [29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i)]. As you may know, the use of eye or face protection would be based on the reasonable anticipation of facial exposure. Masks, in combination with eye protection devices such as glasses with solid side shields, goggles, or chin-length face shields, must be worn whenever splashes, spray, spatter, or droplets of blood or other potentially-infectious materials (OPIM) may be
