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Health and Safety Standards – Blood and Body Fluids

According to OSHA, bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans.

The provisions of this §83.111 adopted to be effective March 1, 2006, 31 TexReg 1280; amended to be effective January 1, 2023, 47 TexReg 8640

  • (a) Blood can carry many pathogens. For this reason licensees should never touch a client’s open sore or wound. Powdered alum, styptic powder, or a cyanoacrylate (e.g. liquid-type bandage) may be used to contract the skin to stop minor bleeding, and should be applied to the open area with a disposable cotton-tipped instrument that is immediately discarded after application.
  • (b) In the case of blood or body fluid contact on any surface area such as a table, chair, or the floor, an EPA-registered hospital grade disinfectant, a tuberculocidal disinfectant, or a 10% bleach solution (one-and-three quarters (1 3/4) cups of household (5.25%) bleach to one gallon of water) shall be used per manufacturer’s instructions immediately to clean up all visible blood or body fluids.
  • (c) If any non-porous instrument is contacted with blood or body fluid, it shall be immediately cleaned and disinfected using an EPA-registered hospital grade disinfectant, a tuberculocidal disinfectant in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, or totally immersed in a 10% bleach solution (one-and-three quarters (1 3/4) cups of household (5.25%) bleach to one gallon of water) for 5 minutes.
  • (d) If any porous instrument contacts blood or body fluid, it shall be immediately double-bagged and discarded in a closed trash container or biohazard box.