The influence of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on infection control practice

Beginning with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) activities to enforce the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention guidelines on Universal Precautions in 1987, this agency has had a direct and sustained impact on infection control programs. This article details how OSHA works, the OSHA inspection process, the bloodborne pathogens standard, current promulgation activities, other OSHA standards, OSHA reform, and the future of this agency.