Working with Human Source Materials
Research involving human source materials includes work with human blood, blood products, body fluids, unfixed tissues, and human cell lines. These materials may contain bloodborne pathogens and are regulated under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).
Because the infectious status of human materials is not always known, all human blood and other potentially infectious materials must be handled using universal precautions, meaning they are treated as if known to be infectious.
Personnel working with human source materials must complete annual training in compliance with the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. The annual requirement may be fulfilled by completing one of the following within a given year:
- Initial Laboratory Safety Training
- BSL-2 Laboratory Safety Refresher
- BBP Refresher for Clinical Laboratories
All work must be conducted in accordance with universal precautions and the institutional Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan, which outlines required engineering controls, work practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), exposure response procedures, and medical surveillance requirements.
Prior to working with human source materials, all personnel must complete a Hepatitis B Vaccine Acceptance/Declination Form. This form documents either acceptance of the Hepatitis B vaccination series or formal declination, as required under OSHA.
Completed forms must be submitted to Occupational Health before work begins.
[Occ Health’s Hepatitis B Vaccination Page]