1910.1030(c)(1): Written Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan
Employers whose workers may be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials on the job must have a written Exposure Control Plan to eliminate or minimize that exposure. The plan must be available to employees, reviewed and updated at least once a year, consider safer medical devices, and include input from frontline staff who handle sharps.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1030(c)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 1,154 times in the last 3 years, in 1,022 inspections, with $1,674,222 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (217), OR (121), PR (97).
- Related part: 1910.1030(c) Exposure control (1,315 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1030(c)(1) ("Exposure Control Plan") 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
(1) Exposure Control Plan. 1,154 citations
(i) Each employer having an employee(s) with occupational exposure as defined by paragraph (b) of this section shall establish a written Exposure Control Plan designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure. Open (c)(1)(i) 571 citations
(ii) The Exposure Control Plan shall contain at least the following elements: Open (c)(1)(ii) 113 citations
(A) The exposure determination required by paragraph (c)(2), Open (c)(1)(ii)(a) 25 citations
(B) The schedule and method of implementation for paragraphs (d) Methods of Compliance, (e) HIV and HBV Research Laboratories and Production Facilities, (f) Hepatitis B Vaccination and Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-up, (g) Communication of Hazards to Employees, and (h) Recordkeeping, of this standard, and Open (c)(1)(ii)(b) 42 citations
(C) The procedure for the evaluation of circumstances surrounding exposure incidents as required by paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this standard. Open (c)(1)(ii)(c) 14 citations
(iii) Each employer shall ensure that a copy of the Exposure Control Plan is accessible to employees in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.20(e). Open (c)(1)(iii) 43 citations
(iv) The Exposure Control Plan shall be reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever necessary to reflect new or modified tasks and procedures which affect occupational exposure and to reflect new or revised employee positions with occupational exposure. The review and update of such plans shall also: Open (c)(1)(iv) 358 citations
(A) Reflect changes in technology that eliminate or reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens; and Open (c)(1)(iv)(a) 4 citations
(B) Document annually consideration and implementation of appropriate commercially available and effective safer medical devices designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure. Open (c)(1)(iv)(b) 44 citations
(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. Open (c)(1)(v) 62 citations
(vi) The Exposure Control Plan shall be made available to the Assistant Secretary and the Director upon request for examination and copying. 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1030.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1030(c)(1).
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…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 359 |
| 2025 | 469 |
| 2026 | 260 |
Top states: TN (217), OR (121), PR (97), KY (91), CT (86)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE BUCKEYE RANCH, INC. | GROVE CITY, OH | $29,036 |
| WALGREENS OF PUERTO RICO INC. | MAYAGUEZ, PR | $28,374 |
| 66638 - HOUCHENS FOOD GROUP INC | MONTPELIER, KY | $28,000 |
| ST. JOHN'S HEALTHCARE CORPORATION | ROCHESTER, NY | $17,100 |
| ALASKA REGIONAL HOSPITAL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $16,132 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Is a single-handed scalpel blade removal device an engineering control under the Bloodborne Pathogens standard? (2023-02-08)
- Applicability of the Bloodborne Pathogens standard during transection of the umbilical cord. (2012-07-13)
- Compliance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030. (2009-02-27)
- OSHA's position on the use of Novartis' Fluvirin device. (2008-11-24)
- Whether written programs may be kept solely in an electronic format. (2008-09-16)
- Clarification of the use and selection of BBP safety devices. (2008-05-05)
- The applicability of OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standards to the use of sharps containers on hospital crash carts. (2007-06-14)
- Requirements for safety-engineered sharps for stockpiled pandemic influenza vaccines and pre-filled syringes. (2007-03-02)
- The use of safety-engineered devices and work practice controls in operating rooms; hospital responsibility to protect independent practitioners under BBP standard. (2007-01-18)
- Employer's obligation to assure the accuracy of the sharps injury log. (2006-01-12)
- Use of passing trays and single-handed scalpel blade remover in a surgical setting. (2005-12-22)
- Definition of contaminated sharps; engineering controls and good work practice controls must be implemented; ECP must be reviewed annually. (2005-06-03)
- Containment and disposal requirements for disposable razors used in long-term health care facilities for personal grooming. (2005-03-28)
- 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)
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard application to small healthcare facilities and the annual review of the Exposure Control Plan. (2004-01-20)
- Employer's responsibility to re-evaluate engineering controls, i.e., safer needle devices, at least annually. (2004-01-20)
- 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)
- Needle destruction device use as an engineering control for the Bloodbore Pathogens standard. (2002-09-12)
- Response to the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act. (2001-11-26)
- Use of engineering and work practice controls during pouring of blood or OPIM. (2001-02-09)
- Recording injuries/illness of pool nurses (temporary employees);needlestick recordkeeping. (2000-10-17)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1030(c) Exposure control 1,315 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)(v) 62 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
How often must the Exposure Control Plan be reviewed?
At least once a year, and whenever new or changed tasks, procedures or job positions affect exposure.
What must the Exposure Control Plan include?
The exposure determination, the schedule and method for putting the standard's requirements in place, and the procedure for evaluating the circumstances of exposure incidents.
Do workers get a say in the plan?
Yes. The employer must ask non-managerial employees who give direct patient care and may be exposed to sharps injuries for input on controls, and document that request in the 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.