This website gives employers and workers detailed guidance on how to prevent infection from bloodborne viruses. It covers:
- what bloodborne viruses are
- what you must do to comply with the law
- how employers must assess and reduce risks of workplace exposure
- how to manage exposure incidents
- when to report incidents and keep records
What bloodborne viruses are
Bloodborne viruses are carried by some people in their blood and can be spread from one person to another.
You can find more information on what bloodborne viruses are. It explains how they are transmitted and provides links to NHS advice on the symptoms, causes and treatment of:
- HIV
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis C
Legal information
You can find details of legal information on bloodborne viruses. It includes all the laws that apply to employers including those relating to:
- controlling substances hazardous to health
- health surveillance
- incident reporting
Employer responsibilities
The employer has the main legal responsibility for health and safety. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, they must:
- ensure the necessary management framework is in place to protect the health and safety of workers
- provide a safe working environment
You can find more information on managing health and safety.
Controlling risk
Employers must assess and control the risks and there is guidance on risk assessment for bloodborne viruses.
The methods you choose to adequately control the identified risks should, as far as possible, follow the approach set out on how to carry out a COSHH risk assessment.
Safe working practices
Employers must minimise the risk of exposure and the website includes guidance on safe working practices for bloodborne viruses.
Worker responsibilities
Workers have a legal duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions.
You can find guidance for workers on how bloodborne viruses are spread.
Incidents in the workplace
There is advice that will help in the initial management of a potential workplace exposure to a bloodborne virus, whatever the circumstances or location of that exposure.
You can find guidance on how to deal with an exposure incident.