Blood-borne viruses (BBV)

This website gives employees and employers detailed guidance on:

• how to comply with the law
• how to assess and ways to reduce the risks of workplace exposure to blood-borne viruses
• how to manage incidences of exposure

Legal information

Laws applicable to employers regarding work with blood-borne viruses.

Controlling risk

Once a risk assessment has been completed, the methods chosen to adequately control the identified risks should, as far as possible, follow the hierarchical approach set out in the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and COSHH.

Employer responsibilities

The legal responsibility for health and safety rests primarily with the employer, who must ensure that the organisation has the necessary management framework to protect the health and safety of staff as well as providing a safe working environment.

Employee responsibilities

You have a legal duty to take care of your own health and safety and that of others affected by your actions.

Incidents in the workplace

Provides advice to assist in the initial management of a potential workplace exposure to a blood-borne virus (BBV), irrespective of the circumstances/location of that exposure.