What is occupational exposure under the bloodborne pathogens standard?
Under the bloodborne pathogens standard, occupational exposure means reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee's duties.
By Cairn. Updated . Sources: eCFR text as of October 27, 2026.
The legal definition
“Occupational Exposure means reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee's duties.”
Where it applies
- 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens 21 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR.
In the enforcement record
Federal and state-plan agencies issued 17,026 cited violations under 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens, from January 2016 through September 10, 2026. The section ranks 16th among the 248 sections of 29 CFR cited at least 50 times. This is the count for the whole section, not for the term alone.
Cairn data, October 2026 snapshot.
See the full record for 29 CFR 1910.1030Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.
- Cairn data, October 2026 snapshot. Cairn analysis of the OSHA enforcement record.
Written by Cairn, updated . The quoted text is copied from the sources above. A test compares each quotation with a stored copy of the source, and a separate script compares that copy with the live sources. This page explains the law and is not legal advice.