1910.1030(f)(3): Medical Follow-Up After a Bloodborne Exposure
After an employee reports an exposure incident, the employer must make a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up immediately available. It must include documenting how the exposure happened, identifying and testing the source individual where possible, testing the exposed employee's blood with consent, and the other elements listed in the rule.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1030(f)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 48 times in the last 3 years, in 36 inspections, with $87,341 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PA (6), TN (5), NJ (5).
- Related part: 1910.1030(f) Hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up (732 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1030(f)(3) ("Post-exposure Evaluation and Follow-up") is one requirement inside 1910.1030 Bloodborne pathogens, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 11 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
(3) Post-exposure Evaluation and Follow-up. Following a report of an exposure incident, the employer shall make immediately available to the exposed employee a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up, including at least the following elements: 48 citations
(i) Documentation of the route(s) of exposure, and the circumstances under which the exposure incident occurred; 2 citations
(ii) Identification and documentation of the source individual, unless the employer can establish that identification is infeasible or prohibited by state or local law; Open (f)(3)(ii) 16 citations
(A) The source individual's blood shall be tested as soon as feasible and after consent is obtained in order to determine HBV and HIV infectivity. If consent is not obtained, the employer shall establish that legally required consent cannot be obtained. When the source individual's consent is not required by law, the source individual's blood, if available, shall be tested and the results documented. Open (f)(3)(ii)(a) 9 citations
(B) When the source individual is already known to be infected with HBV or HIV, testing for the source individual's known HBV or HIV status need not be repeated.
(C) Results of the source individual's testing shall be made available to the exposed employee, and the employee shall be informed of applicable laws and regulations concerning disclosure of the identity and infectious status of the source individual. 6 citations
(iii) Collection and testing of blood for HBV and HIV serological status; Open (f)(3)(iii) 5 citations
(A) The exposed employee's blood shall be collected as soon as feasible and tested after consent is obtained. Open (f)(3)(iii)(a) 3 citations
(B) If the employee consents to baseline blood collection, but does not give consent at that time for HIV serologic testing, the sample shall be preserved for at least 90 days. If, within 90 days of the exposure incident, the employee elects to have the baseline sample tested, such testing shall be done as soon as feasible. Open (f)(3)(iii)(b) 2 citations
(iv) Post-exposure prophylaxis, when medically indicated, as recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service; 1 citations
(v) Counseling; and 1 citations
(vi) Evaluation of reported illnesses. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1030.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1030(f)(3).
At 6:45 p.m. on May 8, 2024, Employee #1 was following an individual who had eloped from the facility campus into a nearby residential area. During an ensuing assault, the employee was violently shoved, causing them to fall and strike their head on the ground.…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: PA (6), TN (5), NJ (5), VA (5), MD (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ELLIPSIS, INC. | JOHNSTON, IA | $12,500 |
| TREES LLC | NEW WINDSOR, NY | $9,457 |
| TOTAL REHAB MOORESTOWN | MOORESTOWN, NJ | $8,750 |
| BRIGHTVIEW, LLC | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $7,640 |
| PEDIATRIC HEALTH ASSOCIATES, LTD. | NAPERVILLE, IL | $7,032 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Bloodborne Pathogens Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-up (2020-08-19)
- Bloodborne Pathogens Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-up for Emergency Response Employees (2017-06-21)
- HBV testing and vaccines, regulated medical waste, and sole proprietorship (2015-01-16)
- Clarification of "as soon as feasible" when conducting post exposure evaluations (2013-11-27)
- Confidentiality of employee post-exposure evaluations as it pertains to the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard; use of portable fans in phlebotomy collection rooms. (2009-11-10)
- Whether an employee can waive right to have untested blood maintained for 90 days. (2008-07-16)
- Use of rapid HIV antibody testing on a source individual after an exposure incident. (2007-01-08)
- Employer's obligation to assure the accuracy of the sharps injury log. (2006-01-12)
- Employers must ensure that post-exposure follow-up procedures are provided. (1999-10-29)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1030(f) Hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up 732 citations
- 1910.1030(f)(2) Hepatitis B Vaccination 423 citations
- 1910.1030(f)(2)(i) 289 citations
- 1910.1030(f)(1) General 228 citations
- 1910.1030(f)(1)(i) 209 citations
- 1910.1030(f)(2)(iv) 132 citations
- 1910.1030(f)(1)(ii) 19 citations
- 1910.1030(f)(5) Healthcare Professional's Written Opinion 17 citations
- 1910.1030(f)(3)(ii) 16 citations
- 1910.1030(f)(4) Information Provided to the Healthcare Professional 15 citations
- 1910.1030(f)(4)(ii) 13 citations
- 1910.1030(f)(3)(ii)(A) 9 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When must the employer offer a medical evaluation?
Immediately after an employee reports an exposure incident.
Is the medical evaluation confidential?
Yes. The rule requires a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up.
What if the employee agrees to a blood draw but not HIV testing yet?
The sample must be preserved for at least 90 days so the employee can still choose to have it tested.
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.