PURPOSE: This rule establishes standards for protection of public employees from occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens in the workplace.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The secretary of state has determined that the publication of the entire text of the material which is incorporated by reference as a portion of this rule would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. Therefore, the material which is so incorporated is on file with the agency who filed this rule, and with the Office of the Secretary of State. Any interested person may view this material at either agency’s headquarters or the same will be made available at the Office of the Secretary of State at a cost not to exceed actual cost of copy reproduction. The entire text of the rule is printed here. This note refers only to the incorporated by reference material.

1. (1) The blood-borne pathogen standard governing public employers in the state of Missouri having employees with occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials shall be the standard of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as codified in 29 CFR 1910.1030. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard as codified in 29 CFR 1910.1030 is incorporated herein by reference.

2. (2) As part of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration blood-borne pathogen standard codified in 29 CFR 1910.1030, each public employer having employees with occupational exposure is required to establish a written Exposure Control Plan. Such plan shall include a requirement that the most effective available needleless systems and sharps with engineered sharps injury protection be included as engineering and work practice controls. However, such engineering controls shall not be required if:

   1. (A) None are available in the marketplace; or
   2. (B) An evaluation committee, as described in section 191.640.5, RSMo determines by means of objective product evaluation criteria that use of such devices will jeopardize patient or employee safety with regard to a specific medical procedure.

AUTHORITY: sections 191.640, RSMo Supp. 2002 and 192.006, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed March 14, 2003, effective Sept. 30, 2003.

*Original authority: 191.640, RSMo 2001; 192.006, RSMo 1993, amended 1995.