1910.1030(h): Bloodborne Pathogens Recordkeeping
Employers must keep a confidential medical record for each worker with occupational exposure to blood, including hepatitis B vaccination status and exam results, for the length of employment plus 30 years. Training records must list dates, content, trainers and attendees, and be kept for 3 years. Records must be made available on request to the people and officials the rule names.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1030(h) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 481 times in the last 3 years, in 394 inspections, with $162,494 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OR (79), KY (64), NV (51).
- Related part: 1910.1030(h)(2) Training Records (199 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1030(h) ("Recordkeeping") is one requirement inside 1910.1030 Bloodborne pathogens, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 31 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
(h) Recordkeeping — 481 citations
(1) Medical Records. Open (h)(1) 182 citations
(i) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record for each employee with occupational exposure, in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020. Open (h)(1)(i) 13 citations
(ii) This record shall include: Open (h)(1)(ii) 164 citations
(A) The name of the employee; Open (h)(1)(ii)(a)
(B) A copy of the employee's hepatitis B vaccination status including the dates of all the hepatitis B vaccinations and any medical records relative to the employee's ability to receive vaccination as required by paragraph (f)(2); Open (h)(1)(ii)(b) 158 citations
(C) A copy of all results of examinations, medical testing, and follow-up procedures as required by paragraph (f)(3); 3 citations
(D) The employer's copy of the healthcare professional's written opinion as required by paragraph (f)(5); and 2 citations
(E) A copy of the information provided to the healthcare professional as required by paragraphs (f)(4)(ii)(B)(C) and (D). 1 citations
(iii) Confidentiality. The employer shall ensure that employee medical records required by paragraph (h)(1) are: 1 citations
(A) Kept confidential; and 1 citations
(B) Not disclosed or reported without the employee's express written consent to any person within or outside the workplace except as required by this section or as may be required by law.
(iv) The employer shall maintain the records required by paragraph (h) for at least the duration of employment plus 30 years in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020. Open (h)(1)(iv) 4 citations
(2) Training Records. Open (h)(2) 199 citations
(i) Training records shall include the following information: Open (h)(2)(i) 154 citations
(A) The dates of the training sessions; 3 citations
(B) The contents or a summary of the training sessions; Open (h)(2)(i)(b) 18 citations
(C) The names and qualifications of persons conducting the training; and Open (h)(2)(i)(c) 49 citations
(D) The names and job titles of all persons attending the training sessions. Open (h)(2)(i)(d) 32 citations
(ii) Training records shall be maintained for 3 years from the date on which the training occurred. Open (h)(2)(ii) 44 citations
(3) Availability. 9 citations
(i) The employer shall ensure that all records required to be maintained by this section shall be made available upon request to the Assistant Secretary and the Director for examination and copying. 2 citations
(ii) Employee training records required by this paragraph shall be provided upon request for examination and copying to employees, to employee representatives, to the Director, and to the Assistant Secretary. 6 citations
(iii) Employee medical records required by this paragraph shall be provided upon request for examination and copying to the subject employee, to anyone having written consent of the subject employee, to the Director, and to the Assistant Secretary in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020. 1 citations
(4) Transfer of Records. The employer shall comply with the requirements involving transfer of records set forth in 29 CFR 1910.1020(h).
(5) Sharps injury log. Open (h)(5) 91 citations
(i) The employer shall establish and maintain a sharps injury log for the recording of percutaneous injuries from contaminated sharps. The information in the sharps injury log shall be recorded and maintained in such manner as to protect the confidentiality of the injured employee. The sharps injury log shall contain, at a minimum: Open (h)(5)(i) 87 citations
(A) The type and brand of device involved in the incident, Open (h)(5)(i)(a) 11 citations
(B) The department or work area where the exposure incident occurred, and 4 citations
(C) An explanation of how the incident occurred. Open (h)(5)(i)(c) 4 citations
(ii) The requirement to establish and maintain a sharps injury log shall apply to any employer who is required to maintain a log of occupational injuries and illnesses under 29 CFR part 1904.
(iii) The sharps injury log shall be maintained for the period required by 29 CFR 1904.33.
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(h).
At 2:27 p.m. on September 23, 2024, Employee #1 was restraining a child who was attempting to harm themself or others. During the restraint, Employee #1 began experiencing a heart attack. Coworkers initiated CPR and called emergency services. Employee #1 was transported for medical treatment…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 25 |
| 2024 | 170 |
| 2025 | 183 |
| 2026 | 103 |
Top states: OR (79), KY (64), NV (51), ME (44), CT (44)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| C&C-DEPT OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER | HONOLULU, HI | $13,395 |
| THE WILLIAM W. BACKUS HOSPITAL | NORWICH, CT | $11,350 |
| MAPLE SHADE FIRST AID SQUAD | MAPLE SHADE, NJ | $10,780 |
| EXTENDED STAY AMERICA | CHESAPEAKE, VA | $9,745 |
| NEXUS AT ALTON LLC DBA BRIA OF ALTON LLC | ALTON, IL | $8,442 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1030(h), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Documentation of employees' hepatitis B vaccination status. (2007-02-07)
- Clarification on providing first aid training and maintenance of medical records under OSHA's BBP standard. (2007-02-05)
- Employer's obligation to assure the accuracy of the sharps injury log. (2006-01-12)
- Employer's responsibility to provide bloodborne pathogens training to lifeguards. (2004-01-20)
- Sharps injury logs are intended to track departments, devices, and/or procedures causing injuries, not injured employees. (2002-12-03)
- Application of provisions of the Bloodborne Pathogens standard to Funeral and Nursing Homes. (1992-06-01)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1030(h)(2) Training Records 199 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(1) Medical Records 182 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(1)(ii) 164 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(1)(ii)(B) 158 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(2)(i) 154 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(5) Sharps injury log 91 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(5)(i) 87 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(2)(i)(C) 49 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(2)(ii) 44 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(2)(i)(D) 32 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(2)(i)(B) 18 citations
- 1910.1030(h)(1)(i) 13 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How long must bloodborne pathogens medical records be kept?
For at least the duration of employment plus 30 years.
How long must training records be kept?
For 3 years from the date of the training.
Can medical records be shared?
They must be kept confidential and not disclosed without the employee's written consent, except as required by the rule or by law.
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.