1910.1030(c)(1)(v): Worker Input on Sharps Safety
Employers required to have a bloodborne pathogens Exposure Control Plan must ask non-managerial employees who give direct patient care and may be exposed to sharps injuries for input on identifying, evaluating and selecting engineering and work practice controls, and document that request in the plan.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1030(c)(1)(v) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 62 times in the last 3 years, in 62 inspections, with $44,186 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (22), PR (10), NY (5).
- 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)(v) 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
(v) An employer, who is required to establish an Exposure Control Plan shall solicit input from non-managerial employees responsible for direct patient care who are potentially exposed to injuries from contaminated sharps in the identification, evaluation, and selection of effective engineering and work practice controls and shall document the solicitation in the Exposure Control Plan. 62 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1030.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 32 |
| 2026 | 13 |
Top states: TN (22), PR (10), NY (5), NC (4), PA (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WALGREENS OF PUERTO RICO INC. | MAYAGUEZ, PR | $14,187 |
| ALASKA REGIONAL HOSPITAL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $8,066 |
| STREETSBORO OPCO LLC | STREETSBORO, OH | $5,792 |
| 157414 - CEDAR COVE ASSISTED LIVING, LLC | WILMINGTON, NC | $4,839 |
| EMERGENCY DENTAL OF TENNESSEE LLC | NASHVILLE, TN | $4,800 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1030(c)(1)(v), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Applicability of the Bloodborne Pathogens standard during transection of the umbilical cord. (2012-07-13)
- OSHA's position on the use of Novartis' Fluvirin device. (2008-11-24)
- Requirements for safety-engineered sharps for stockpiled pandemic influenza vaccines and pre-filled syringes. (2007-03-02)
- 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)
- Clarification from OSHA regarding the use of the NeedleguardTM in a hospital environment. (2004-04-20)
- Engineering control requirements for allergy and immunization injections. (2003-03-19)
- Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act and the requirement to include safety-engineered sharps devices in pre-packaged surgical kits or trays. (2003-02-20)
- 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)(iv)(B) 44 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
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Frequently asked questions
Whose input must the employer seek?
Non-managerial employees responsible for direct patient care who are potentially exposed to injuries from contaminated sharps.
What should they give input on?
The identification, evaluation and selection of effective engineering and work practice controls.
Must this be documented?
Yes. The solicitation must be documented in the Exposure Control Plan.
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.