Bloodborne Pathogen Course

Lesson 1 • Regulatory Framework Overview

Introduces the occupational health regulatory standards governing bloodborne pathogen programmes. Establishes employer and employee obligations at a foundational level.

Lesson 2 • Occupational Risk Populations

Identifies job roles with elevated exposure risk and quantifies relative risk levels. Grounds abstract pathogen concepts in workforce-specific context.

Lesson 3 • Transmission Routes and Mechanisms

Explains how bloodborne pathogens enter the body through specific exposure events. Connects biological mechanisms to real workplace scenarios.

Lesson 1 • Hepatitis C Virus

Addresses HCV transmission, silent progression, and lack of a preventive vaccine. Emphasises why engineering controls are the primary defence against HCV.

Lesson 2 • Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Covers HIV biology, immune system impact, and occupational transmission probability. Connects clinical facts to workplace risk perception and prevention motivation.

Lesson 3 • Hepatitis B Virus

Examines HBV virulence, environmental stability, and disease outcomes. Highlights why HBV poses a higher occupational risk than HIV.

Lesson 4 • Comparing Disease Risks and Outcomes

Synthesises HIV, HBV, and HCV data into a comparative risk framework. Enables informed decision-making about protective measures based on relative hazard.

Lesson 1 • Training and Recordkeeping Requirements

Specifies training frequency, content standards, and medical record retention rules. Ensures learners can build a defensible documentation system.

Lesson 2 • Selecting and Documenting Controls

Covers the hierarchy of controls and how to document chosen protective measures. Links control selection to the exposure determination findings.

Lesson 3 • Purpose and Legal Basis of the Plan

Explains why a written exposure control plan is mandated and what it must accomplish. Frames the plan as a living management document, not a compliance checkbox.

Lesson 4 • Exposure Determination Process

Guides systematic identification of job classifications and tasks involving exposure risk. Produces the exposure determination section required in every compliant plan.

Lesson 1 • Hierarchy of Controls Applied to BBP

Applies the standard control hierarchy specifically to bloodborne pathogen hazards. Establishes why elimination and engineering controls outrank PPE.

Lesson 2 • Biological Safety Cabinets and Containment

Explains containment equipment used in laboratory and clinical settings. Connects proper equipment use to reduced aerosol and splash exposure.

Lesson 3 • Evaluating Control Effectiveness

Provides methods to assess whether controls are functioning as intended. Closes the loop between control implementation and continuous improvement.

Lesson 4 • Safe Work Practices for Exposure Reduction

Establishes behavioural protocols that reduce exposure when engineering controls alone are insufficient. Reinforces habits that become automatic through consistent practice.

Lesson 1 • Glove Use and Limitations

Covers proper glove donning, integrity checks, and removal without self-contamination. Addresses the most frequently misused PPE item in bloodborne pathogen settings.

Lesson 2 • Face, Eye, and Respiratory Protection

Addresses splash and aerosol protection for the face and respiratory tract. Connects specific hazard scenarios to the correct protective device.

Lesson 3 • PPE Selection Principles

Establishes criteria for choosing appropriate PPE based on task, exposure type, and duration. Prevents under-protection and unnecessary over-use of PPE resources.

Lesson 4 • Donning, Doffing, and Disposal Sequences

Teaches the correct order for putting on and removing PPE to prevent self-contamination. Integrates disposal and hand hygiene steps into a seamless protective sequence.

Lesson 1 • Disinfectants Effective Against BBP

Identifies chemical agents proven effective against HIV, HBV, and HCV on surfaces. Guides correct product selection, dilution, and application for each pathogen.

Lesson 2 • Regulated Medical Waste Classification

Defines categories of regulated medical waste and the criteria for each classification. Prevents misclassification that leads to improper disposal and regulatory violations.

Lesson 3 • Decontaminating Work Surfaces and Equipment

Provides step-by-step protocols for cleaning contaminated surfaces and reusable equipment. Connects surface decontamination to the exposure control plan requirements.

Lesson 4 • Waste Containment and Disposal Procedures

Covers container standards, labelling, transport, and final disposal of regulated waste. Ensures compliant waste management from generation to treatment.

Lesson 1 • Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Protocols

Covers PEP indications, timing requirements, and medication adherence for HIV and HBV. Emphasises the narrow treatment window that makes rapid response essential.

Lesson 2 • Medical Evaluation and Testing

Explains the medical evaluation process, including source and exposed-worker testing. Connects test results to post-exposure prophylaxis decision-making.

Lesson 3 • Exposure Reporting and Documentation

Covers the internal reporting chain, required forms, and documentation timeline after exposure. Timely reporting triggers medical evaluation and protects the exposed worker legally.

Lesson 4 • Immediate First Aid After Exposure

Specifies the first-aid actions to take within seconds of a needlestick, splash, or cut. Correct immediate response reduces infection risk and preserves medical options.

Lesson 1 • Delivering Training to Diverse Workforces

Addresses language, literacy, and role-specific adaptations for effective training delivery. Ensures all at-risk employees receive comprehensible, relevant instruction.

Lesson 2 • Continuous Improvement and Programme Updates

Applies quality improvement cycles to the BBP programme using incident and audit data. Ensures the programme evolves with new devices, regulations, and workforce changes.

Lesson 3 • Designing Effective BBP Training

Covers adult learning principles and content requirements for compliant BBP training. Produces training that changes behaviour, not just satisfies regulatory checkboxes.

Lesson 4 • Recordkeeping Systems and Audits

Establishes systems for maintaining training, medical, and exposure records in compliance. Prepares learners to withstand regulatory inspections with complete documentation.