1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B): Annual Review of Safer Sharps
Employers must document each year that they considered and put in place appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 44 times in the last 3 years, in 44 inspections, with $47,698 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (11), PA (7), NY (7).
- Related part: 1910.1030(c) Exposure control (1,315 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B) is one requirement inside 1910.1030 Bloodborne pathogens, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(B) Document annually consideration and implementation of appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure. 44 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1030.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: TN (11), PA (7), NY (7), OR (7), PR (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALLERVIE HEALTH | BETHLEHEM, PA | $10,000 |
| COMPREHENSIVE AT ORLEANS, LLC | ALBION, NY | $8,511 |
| ALASKA REGIONAL HOSPITAL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $8,066 |
| ST. JOHN'S HEALTHCARE CORPORATION | ROCHESTER, NY | $5,700 |
| SOUTHERN HOSPITAL SERVICES INC | VILLALBA, PR | $3,920 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv)(B), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification of the use and selection of BBP safety devices. (2008-05-05)
- The applicability of OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standards to the use of sharps containers on hospital crash carts. (2007-06-14)
- Limiting factors for implementing the use of engineering controls, i.e., safety scalpels, under the Bloodborne Pathogens standard. (2004-09-01)
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard application to bifurcated needles; acceptability and appropriateness of safety bifurcated needles. (2004-05-27)
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard application to small healthcare facilities and the annual review of the Exposure Control Plan. (2004-01-20)
- Employer's responsibility to re-evaluate engineering controls, i.e., safer needle devices, at least annually. (2004-01-20)
- Safer medical devices must be selected based on employee feedback and device effectiveness, not Group Purchasing Organizations. (2002-11-21)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1030(c) Exposure control 1,315 citations
- 1910.1030(c)(1) Exposure Control Plan 1,154 citations
- 1910.1030(c)(1)(i) 571 citations
- 1910.1030(c)(1)(iv) 358 citations
- 1910.1030(c)(2) Exposure determination 161 citations
- 1910.1030(c)(2)(i) 161 citations
- 1910.1030(c)(1)(ii) 113 citations
- 1910.1030(c)(1)(v) 62 citations
- 1910.1030(c)(1)(iii) 43 citations
- 1910.1030(c)(1)(ii)(B) 42 citations
- 1910.1030(c)(2)(i)(A) 31 citations
- 1910.1030(c)(1)(ii)(A) 25 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
How often must safer medical devices be reviewed?
Annually, with documentation.
What devices must be considered?
Appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure.
Is considering them enough?
The rule requires documenting both consideration and implementation of appropriate devices.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1030 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.