1910.1030(d)(3)(i): Bloodborne Pathogens PPE
When there is occupational exposure, employers must provide appropriate personal protective equipment at no cost, such as gloves, gowns, lab coats, face shields or masks, eye protection, and resuscitation devices. PPE is appropriate only if it keeps blood or other potentially infectious materials from reaching the employee's clothes, skin, eyes, mouth or other mucous membranes under normal use.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1030(d)(3)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 18 times in the last 3 years, in 18 inspections, with $38,139 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (4), OR (3), TN (3).
- Related part: 1910.1030(d) Methods of compliance (455 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(3)(i) ("Provision") 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
(i) Provision. When there is occupational exposure, the employer shall provide, at no cost to the employee, appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields or masks and eye protection, and mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, pocket masks, or other ventilation devices. Personal protective equipment will be considered “appropriate” only if it does not permit blood or other potentially infectious materials to pass through to or reach the employee's work clothes, street clothes, undergarments, skin, eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes under normal conditions of use and for the duration of time which the protective equipment will be used. 18 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 | 6 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: NY (4), OR (3), TN (3), NC (2), PA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 160990 - VESTIS SERVICES, LLC | CANTON, NC | $8,000 |
| 67333 - FOAM DESIGN INC | LEXINGTON, KY | $5,600 |
| 109979 - ELIM HOMES INC DBA ELIM WELLSPRING ASSISTED LIVING | PRINCETON, MN | $4,800 |
| R2GATE AMERICA INC. | ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ | $4,688 |
| 317742556 - CL WEST MANAGEMENT LLC | SPRINGFIELD, OR | $4,236 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1030(d)(3)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Active Barrier Apparel as Engineering Control (2015-10-02)
- Clarification of OSHA's policy on changing disposable gloves between patient contacts. (2007-04-02)
- Wearing sandals in a medical office when feet do not contact blood or OPIM. (2006-06-16)
- Application of provisions of the Bloodborne Pathogens standard to Funeral and Nursing Homes. (1992-06-01)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1030(d) Methods of compliance 455 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(4) Housekeeping 262 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii) Regulated Waste 195 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(2) Engineering and work practice controls 141 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A) Contaminated Sharps Discarding and Containment 131 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(2)(i) 53 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii) 48 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(3) Personal protective equipment 48 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii)(A) 33 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(4)(iv) Laundry 23 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(4)(i) General 23 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(2)(viii) 22 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
Who pays for bloodborne pathogens PPE?
The employer provides it at no cost to the employee.
What makes PPE appropriate?
It must not let blood or other potentially infectious materials pass through to or reach clothes, skin, eyes, mouth or other mucous membranes under normal use and for the time it is used.
What types of PPE are listed?
Examples include gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields or masks and eye protection, and mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, pocket masks or other ventilation 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.