Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms present in the blood that can cause disease in humans.These pathogens include but are not limited to: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that causes Aids. Bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted through contact with human blood and other potentially infectious body fluids.

Workers exposed to bloodborne pathogens are at risk for serious or life-threatening illnesses. OSAH's Bloodborne Pathogens standard can be found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations at 29 CFR 1910.1030. The standard's requirements state what employers must do to protect workers who are occupationally exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). This standard protect workers who can reasonably anticipated to come in contact with blood or OPIM as a result of doing their jobs.

Employees of cleaning companies come into contact with blood or OPIM on a daily bases. The dangers that lurks in the workplace form bloodborne pathogens aren't always visible to the naked eye, yet if expose to could change your life for ever. As a result employees must be familiar with the dangers of bloodborne pathogens as well as the steps they must take to protect themselves and others from BBP exposures.