Bloodborne Pathogen Trainer - Who?
The below question on Bloodborne Pathogen Training got me thinking.
The more training I do and the more I learn from all of you, I learn sometimes my past paradigms are just wrong! I went to my first OSHA 30-Hour Training over 20 years ago. My instructor for that class was a retired OSHA CHSO and OSHA Area Manager. He was very very good!
In any case I know he said that a "medical person should do Bloodborne Pathogen Training." He defined medical person as any medical provider at or above the EMT level of medical care. He did gives us a training tip in that he would be satisfied as an OSHA CHSO any of us could do BbP training if we had good repeated training on BbP AND at least had a medical person available for questions.
So for the next 20 years I personally trained our First Responders and First Aid employees in BbP training every year. I also had my visiting Occupational Nurse (BSN) review my training and be available assisting me in the training, or at least be there the last 10 minutes for questions. I had her send me an email that she did these things. for my files.
I have not read 1910.1030 is quite sometime, which I just did. I do not see where a "medical" person is required to do the training. 1910.1030(g)(2)(vii) says the trainer "shall be knowledgeable". I sure was that.
In any case there goes another paradigm!
Comments (3)
You do not have to be a medical professional to teach a bloodborne pathogens course in MOST facilities unless you're teaching it to testing laboratories (e.g., HIV/HBV testing labs) or other similar medical facilities or professions. You just need to be knowledgeable of what specifically pertains to your facility, such as PPE, sharps injury logs (if applicable), routes of exposure, etc.
However, with that being said, you do need to be able to justify how you deem yourself "knowledgeable". For example, if you're teaching on disease transmission, then how do you deem yourself knowledgeable on that? How do you deem yourself knowledgeable on which specific fluids are transmitted via blood or OPIMs? So on and so forth.
There's actually a standard interpretation stating this, as well (link below).
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2008-01-17