DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 97-111 Selecting, Evaluating,
and Using Sharps Disposal Containers The Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970 created the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH is charged with
identifying the causes of work-related diseases and injuries,
evaluating the hazards of new technologies and work practices,
creating ways to control hazards, and recommending occupational
safety and health standards. Occupational exposure to bloodborne
pathogens (including the hepatitis B and C viruses [HBV and HCV]
and the human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) poses a significant
risk to workers in the health care industry and related
occupations. The primary route of exposure to bloodborne
pathogens is accidental percutaneous injury caused by
needlesticks (puncturing of the skin by a needle or similar
sharp object). In the United States, approximately 800,000
needlestick injuries occur in hospitals annuallyan average of
one injury every 10 seconds. Studies have shown th