OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan

The single most critical compliance document for any tattoo or piercing studio. Covers exposure prevention, needlestick protocols, and Hepatitis B vaccination for all artists and piercers who handle needles and come into contact with blood.

Generate This Document — $9 Get All Documents — $79

What this document covers

Tattooing and piercing are classified as high-risk occupations for bloodborne pathogen exposure because every procedure involves intentional skin penetration and direct blood contact. OSHA requires a written Exposure Control Plan that details how your studio prevents, manages, and documents blood exposure incidents. This plan must cover universal precautions, single-use needle policies, sharps disposal, autoclave sterilization protocols, PPE requirements (gloves, face shields during splatter-prone procedures), post-exposure evaluation procedures, and mandatory Hepatitis B vaccination offers for all at-risk employees. OSHA inspectors treat tattoo studios with the same scrutiny as medical facilities — this is not optional and violations carry severe penalties.

Key sections included

Exposure determination by job classification (tattoo artists, piercers, counter staff)
Universal precautions and standard operating procedures
Engineering controls (single-use needles, sharps containers, biosafety barriers)
Work practice controls (hand hygiene, no recapping needles, surface disinfection between clients)
PPE requirements by procedure type (gloves, face shields, aprons)
Hepatitis B vaccination program (offered at no cost within 10 working days)
Post-exposure incident evaluation and follow-up procedures
Annual training requirements and documentation

Frequently asked questions

Is this required even if my artists are independent contractors?

If you control the manner and means of their work (set hours, provide equipment, assign stations), OSHA may classify them as employees regardless of your contract. The safest approach is to maintain the plan and include all workers.

How often must I train employees on bloodborne pathogens?

Initial training within 10 days of hire and annual refresher training thereafter. Training must be during paid work hours and at no cost to the employee.

Do I need to offer Hepatitis B vaccinations to piercers who only do earlobe piercings?

Yes. Any employee with reasonably anticipated occupational exposure to blood must be offered the Hepatitis B vaccination series at no cost, regardless of the specific piercing type.

Document details

Legal basis: 29 CFR 1910.1030 (OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard)
Enforced by: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Penalty for absence: OSHA fines up to $15,625 per serious violation; willful violations up to $156,259. Tattoo studios are specifically targeted for bloodborne pathogen inspections. Failure to offer Hepatitis B vaccination is a separate citable violation.
Category: Health & Safety

Document preview

Here's what your generated OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan looks like. Each document is customized with your business details.

SAMPLE

DocketPack — Generated Document