Engineered Sharps Protection Requirements for Bloodborne Pathogens

Learn about engineered sharps protection requirements for research involving potentially infectious materials.

Requirements

UCSD's Bloodborne Pathogens Program requires principal investigators using potentially infectious materials, including human blood, cells, and tissues, to comply with the engineered sharps protection section of the California Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.

How to meet the requirements

Follow these steps to meet requirements for documentation, use of engineering sharps protection, and training:

• Documentation:  Complete an Exposure Control Plan and send it to Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S):
  • E-mail: ehsbio@ucsd.edu
  • Mail Code: 0091
  • Fax: (858) 534-1510

• Use engineered sharps protection for any of the following:
  • Withdrawal of body fluids after initial venous or arterial access is established
  • Administration of medication or fluids
  • Any procedure involving the potential for an exposure incident (manipulation of human blood, blood products, tissues, or cell lines using a syringe, or any injection of these materials into animals, etc.)
  See Engineered Sharps Vendors for equipment sources.

• Training:  All personnel conducting research with these materials must receive the following training:
  • Instruction on the specific hazards associated with the research
  • Use of personal protection equipment, safety practices, and behaviors
  • Biosafety: Bloodborne Pathogens
  • Annual Bloodborne Pathogens Refresher Training

• Exceptions: To learn about exceptions to the engineered sharps protection requirement, contact EH&S Biosafety, (858) 534-5366.

Safety

Bloodborne Pathogens Program

• Sharps Protection Requirements
  • Engineered Sharps Vendors