Blood and other infectious materials are a real risk in many workplaces. This Bloodborne Pathogens course gives you the practical knowledge to stay safe, respond correctly, and meet OSHA’s annual training requirement all in one place, entirely online.
Whether you work in healthcare, emergency response, tattooing, custodial services, or any other high-risk environment, this course prepares you for the situations you may actually face on the job. 
Bloodborne pathogens including HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C can spread through contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Furthermore, exposure can happen in an instant. A needlestick, a surface splash, or an open wound can put you at risk before you even realize what has occurred.
Fortunately, most exposures are entirely preventable. However, prevention requires training. That is precisely what this course delivers.
This program also meets the annual training requirement set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030. In addition, it carries a 98% international acceptance rate — so your certificate is recognized wherever you work.
You will first learn how bloodborne diseases spread and why they are dangerous. This section covers the biology of HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C in plain, easy-to-understand language. As a result, you will know exactly what you are dealing with before you ever encounter a risk situation.
Your employer is required to provide an Exposure Control Plan. Therefore, this module explains what an ECP contains and how to follow it correctly. You will understand your role within your organization’s safety framework regardless of how much patient contact your job involves.
Universal precautions treat all blood and OPIM as potentially infectious. This section teaches you how to apply that principle every day. Specifically, you will learn correct hand hygiene, how to choose the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and how to put it on and remove it without contaminating yourself.
Biohazardous spills and sharps disposal are two of the most common exposure risks. Consequently, this module walks you through each step from containing a spill to disposing of needles and other sharps safely. You will also learn how to handle and label biohazardous waste correctly.
If an exposure incident occurs, the next few minutes are critical. This section gives you a clear, step-by-step action plan. You will know who to contact, what documentation to complete, and which medical follow-up steps to take immediately after any accidental exposure.
Many people freeze during an exposure incident because they are unsure what to do. However, trained individuals act with confidence. This final section builds that confidence and reinforces a shared sense of responsibility to protect not just yourself, but your co-workers and the people in your care.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
This course suits anyone who may come into contact with blood or infectious materials at work. It is especially important for:
Moreover, if your employer has not yet provided an Exposure Control Plan briefing, this course gives you the foundational knowledge to ask the right questions.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | 100% online, self-paced |
| Compliance | OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030 |
| Acceptance Rate | 98% internationally recognized |
| Certificate | Issued upon successful completion |
| Renewal | Required annually per OSHA guidelines |
| Prerequisites | None — open to all experience levels |
OSHA requires annual bloodborne pathogen training for all workers at risk of occupational exposure. Specifically, this training must cover transmission routes, prevention methods, PPE use, and post-exposure procedures. This course covers every one of those requirements.
After you complete your training here, your employer will follow up with role-specific guidance — including a personalized Exposure Control Plan tailored to your responsibilities. Together, these two steps give you full OSHA compliance. For more on workplace exposure standards, visit the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens page or the CDC guidelines on occupational exposure.
This course is straightforward, fast, and built around real workplace situations. You will finish it knowing exactly what to do and exactly why it matters.
Enroll in the Bloodborne Pathogens Course Now →
Already certified? Check our upcoming renewal dates to keep your qualification current. You can also explore our related First Aid and CPR certification course to build a complete workplace safety skillset.
Understand the microscopic world and the specific microorganisms carried in human blood. This lesson defines what bloodborne pathogens are, with a focus on HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV), and explains why workplace education is a legal and ethical necessity.
Understand the microscopic world and the specific microorganisms carried in human blood. This lesson defines what bloodborne pathogens are, with a focus on HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV), and explains why workplace education is a legal and ethical necessity.
Learn exactly how diseases spread in a professional setting. We cover the primary routes of infection—including needle-sticks, splashes to mucous membranes, and contact with broken skin—to help you identify high-risk "at-risk" tasks within your specific job role.
Needles and broken glass pose the highest risk for transmission. This lesson provides step-by-step procedures for the safe handling and disposal of sharps, the use of puncture-resistant containers, and the proper labeling of biohazardous waste using the universal biohazard symbol.
Learn the technical protocols for cleaning up blood spills. We cover the use of EPA-registered disinfectants, the correct "dwell time" for killing pathogens, and the specific sequence of actions required to decontaminate surfaces without spreading the infection.
If an exposure occurs, every second counts. This final lesson outlines the immediate first-aid steps (washing, flushing, and cleaning), the mandatory reporting process to your supervisor, and the medical evaluation and follow-up care provided by your employer.
