UCSD has a Bloodborne Pathogens Program in place to protect employees who can reasonably anticipate being exposed to bloodborne pathogens (BBP) while performing their job duties. (Read the definition of bloodborne pathogens and other terms used in this program.)
Examples of employees who may be at risk of exposure include:
Requirements for implementing the BBP program are different for laboratory, non-laboratory, and healthcare personnel. Read program requirements for each group below.
| Researchers and laboratory technicians |
| Principal investigators with employees who may be exposed to BBPs must do the following:
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| Non-laboratory personnel |
Supervisors of non-laboratory employees who may reasonably be expected to be exposed to BBPs as part of their normal duties must do the following:
- Print and complete an Exposure Control Plan for bloodborne pathogens (PDF) (Word file).
- Ensure employees receive required training:
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| Medical Center healhcare providers |
UCSD Medical Center facilities have location-specific Exposure Control Plans and training crafted for the patient care environment.
- Contact the Medical Center Safety Office, (619) 543-7575, for more information.
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Definitions used in UCSD's Bloodborne Pathogens Program include:
- Blood refers to human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood.
- Bloodborne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and other potentially infectious materials that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Other potentially infectious materials include:
- Human body fluids: Semen, vagainal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any other body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood and all undifferentiated body fluids in emergency response situations
- Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human
- HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, and HIV- or HVB-containing culture medium or other solutions; and blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV
- Human body fluids that are not generally covered by the BBP unless they contain visible blood:
- Feces
- Nasal secretions
- Sputum
- Sweat
- Tears
- Urine
- Vomitus
- Saliva
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Related policies:
If you are a UCSD employee and have questions, contact EH&S Biosafety, (858) 534-5366.
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