1910.1030(d)(4)(iv): Handling Contaminated Laundry
Employers must make sure contaminated laundry is handled as little as possible with minimal agitation, bagged where used without sorting or rinsing there, and carried in labeled or color-coded bags or containers. Wet laundry likely to soak through must go in leak-proof bags. Workers handling it must wear gloves and other appropriate PPE, and laundry shipped to a facility not using Universal Precautions must be labeled or color-coded.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1030(d)(4)(iv) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 23 times in the last 3 years, in 21 inspections, with $17,086 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (9), MD (2), OR (2).
- 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)(4)(iv) ("Laundry") is one requirement inside 1910.1030 Bloodborne pathogens, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 3 sub-paragraphs. 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
(iv) Laundry. 23 citations
(A) Contaminated laundry shall be handled as little as possible with a minimum of agitation. Open (d)(4)(iv)(a) 18 citations
(1) Contaminated laundry shall be bagged or containerized at the location where it was used and shall not be sorted or rinsed in the location of use.
(2) Contaminated laundry shall be placed and transported in bags or containers labeled or color-coded in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this standard. When a facility utilizes Universal Precautions in the handling of all soiled laundry, alternative labeling or color-coding is sufficient if it permits all employees to recognize the containers as requiring compliance with Universal Precautions.
(3) Whenever contaminated laundry is wet and presents a reasonable likelihood of soak-through of or leakage from the bag or container, the laundry shall be placed and transported in bags or containers which prevent soak-through and/or leakage of fluids to the exterior.
(B) The employer shall ensure that employees who have contact with contaminated laundry wear protective gloves and other appropriate personal protective equipment. 5 citations
(C) When a facility ships contaminated laundry off-site to a second facility which does not utilize Universal Precautions in the handling of all laundry, the facility generating the contaminated laundry must place such laundry in bags or containers which are labeled or color-coded in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(i). Open (d)(4)(iv)(c)
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1030.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: TN (9), MD (2), OR (2), NV (2), VA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| COMPREHENSIVE AT ORLEANS, LLC | ALBION, NY | $8,511 |
| TLC SNF OPERATIONS, LLC | HENDERSON, NV | $5,025 |
| CORE LINEN SERVICES INC. | JOHNSON CITY, TN | $2,450 |
| 109809 - YBR PROPERTIES BAXTER LLC DBA THE LODGE AT BRAINER | BAXTER, MN | $800 |
| 317734428 - STATE OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES | KEIZER, OR | $300 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1030(d)(4)(iv), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Unintended disposal of blood-contaminated hospital linens by laundries (2013-10-29)
- Compliance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030. (2009-02-27)
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard as it relates to contaminated laundry, sharps containers, and the Hepatitis B vaccine in fitness centers. (2004-09-17)
- Responsibility for cleaning/preventing exposure to contaminated emergency medical equipment. (2000-10-04)
- Counting of soiled health care textiles by route sales representatives. (1993-01-26)
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)(i) General 23 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(2)(viii) 22 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii) 21 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
Can contaminated laundry be sorted or rinsed where it was used?
No. It must be bagged or containerized at the location of use and not sorted or rinsed there.
What PPE is required for handling contaminated laundry?
Protective gloves and other appropriate personal protective equipment.
What if the laundry is wet?
If there is a reasonable likelihood of soak-through or leakage, use bags or containers that prevent fluids leaking to the outside.
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.