Should Laboratory Science Teachers Be Concerned About Bloodborne Pathogens?
Based on the means of transmission, life threatening implications and an individual’s right to confidentiality, the potential for bloodborne pathogen infection raises several issues for science teachers in laboratory situations. The need for laboratory work in high schools and middle schools dealing with activities such as blood typing, cheek cell sampling, and urinalysis need to be addressed. The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard states (29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(1)): “Universal precautions shall be observed to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.” Science teachers, supervisors and their employers need to secure safe alternatives to laboratory activities such as human blood typing, cheek cell sampling and urinalysis. The risk of unknown exposure is too high! What is the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard? OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.1030, addresses the blood hazards in the workplace. This standard covers all employees who it can “rea
