Welcome to Lesson 4 of MedRise's Bloodborne Pathogens Training Course
Welcome to Lesson 4 of the MedRise Bloodborne Pathogens Training Course.
In this lesson, we will focus on Engineering Controls and Work Practice Controls, two essential elements for reducing occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
These controls are mandated under OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2) and form the frontline defense in protecting employees from infection risks in the workplace.
Understanding and correctly applying these safety measures is critical for finishing this Bloodborne Pathogens Training and maintaining a legally compliant and safe working environment.
What Are Engineering Controls?
Engineering controls are devices, equipment, or technologies specifically designed to isolate, remove, or minimize the hazard of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
The goal of engineering controls is to eliminate the risk at its source, reducing reliance on worker behavior as the primary means of protection.
According to OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, employers must use engineering controls where feasible to reduce exposure risks.
If engineering controls are not practical, they must be supplemented with effective work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Examples of engineering controls include:
Sharps Disposal Containers: Rigid, puncture-resistant containers for the immediate disposal of contaminated needles and sharps, preventing accidental needlesticks.
Self-Sheathing Needles: Needles equipped with built-in protective shields that automatically cover the needle after use, minimizing exposure.
Needleless Systems: Devices that perform the function of needles (such as IV medication administration systems) without requiring a sharp instrument.
Sharps with Engineered Sharps Injury Protections (SESIPs): Specialized medical devices designed to reduce the risk of sharp-related injuries.
An effective Bloodborne Pathogens Training program teaches employees how to correctly use and benefit from these engineering controls as part of their everyday work activities.
What Are Work Practice Controls?
While engineering controls aim to remove hazards physically, work practice controls are changes to the way tasks are performed to reduce the likelihood of exposure.
Work practice controls rely on safe habits, consistent behaviors, and adherence to protocols that minimize the risk of contact with blood or OPIM.
Proper training, regular practice, and reinforcement of these controls are essential components of Bloodborne Pathogens Training programs like the one offered by MedRise.
Examples of work practice controls include:
No two-handed recapping of needles by Hand: Workers must never recap needles unless no alternative exists, and even then, a mechanical device or one-handed scoop method must be used.
Hand Hygiene Protocols: Workers must wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after removing gloves and after any contact with blood or OPIM, even if gloves were worn.
Safe Handling of Sharps: All used sharps must be placed immediately into appropriate sharps containers without carrying them by hand across distances.
No Eating, Drinking, or Applying Cosmetics: These activities are prohibited in work areas where exposure to blood or OPIM is possible to prevent accidental ingestion or exposure.
Proper Decontamination of Surfaces: Work surfaces, equipment, and areas contaminated with blood must be cleaned promptly using an appropriate disinfectant (e.g., a 10% bleach solution).
Effective work practice controls rely on worker education, supervision, and a workplace culture that prioritizes safety and vigilance.
The Legal Requirement for Controls: Hierarchy of Protection
Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(i), employers are required to use engineering controls and work practice controls as their primary means of exposure prevention.
PPE, such as gloves and gowns, is critical but is considered secondary — PPE must be used in addition to, not in place of, engineering and work practice controls.
This hierarchy ensures that employees are protected first by physical barriers and safe procedures, minimizing their reliance on PPE alone for safety.
For example, even when gloves are worn, the use of a sharps container immediately after use of a contaminated needle is essential to preventing injuries and exposures.
This layered approach to safety is a key theme throughout comprehensive Bloodborne Pathogens Training programs.
Examples of Combining Controls for Maximum Protection
Real-world scenarios often involve the use of engineering controls, work practice controls, and PPE together to maximize safety.
For instance:
During a venipuncture procedure, a phlebotomist uses a needle with a self-sheathing feature (engineering control), immediately disposes of the needle into a sharps container (work practice control), and wears gloves (PPE).
In a cleaning scenario, custodial staff use tongs or dustpans to pick up broken glass contaminated with blood (engineering control), follow protocols to dispose of the materials safely (work practice control), and wear appropriate gloves and gowns (PPE).
This integration of controls is critical to reducing bloodborne pathogen transmission risk to the lowest possible level.
Employee Responsibilities for Controls
Employees who undergo Bloodborne Pathogens Training have specific responsibilities related to engineering and work practice controls:
Consistently use and maintain provided engineering controls.
Follow established work practice protocols at all times.
Report any device malfunctions or unsafe conditions immediately to supervisors.
Participate in training sessions and ask questions when unsure about procedures.
Never bypass or disable safety features on sharps, containers, or other engineered devices.
Successful bloodborne pathogens prevention relies on both the employer providing proper systems and employees diligently using them.
Summary of Lesson 4: Engineering and Work Practice Controls in Bloodborne Pathogens Safety
In this module, you have learned that engineering controls are physical devices designed to isolate or eliminate bloodborne pathogen hazards, while work practice controls involve modifying behaviors and procedures to minimize risk.
Together, these controls form the first line of defense against occupational exposure, mandated by the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).
Understanding, using, and reinforcing engineering and work practice controls are key steps toward completing your Bloodborne Pathogens Training and ensuring workplace safety.
In the next module, we will cover Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), its proper selection, use, and maintenance to further support bloodborne pathogen protection.
Lesson 4 Knowledge Check: Mini-Quiz
Question 1:
What are engineering controls designed to do in relation to bloodborne pathogens?
Answer: Isolate or remove the hazard at the source to prevent exposure.
Question 2:
True or False: Employees can substitute wearing PPE for using engineering controls.
Answer: False — engineering and work practice controls must be used first.
Question 3:
Which of the following is an example of a work practice control?
A. Self-sheathing needle
B. Sharps disposal container
C. Washing hands immediately after glove removal
D. Providing face shields
Answer: C. Washing hands immediately after glove removal.
Part of the free MedRise Bloodborne Pathogens Training, based on OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030. Not issued or approved by OSHA. Education only, not legal or medical advice.