OSHA Compliance – Hepatitis B Vaccination Requirements

Under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), the hepatitis B virus (HBV) three-shot vaccination series must be made available at no cost to all employees with occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, within ten working days of initial assignment. Post-vaccination serologic testing for HBV immunity is required within one to two months after the last shot of the three-shot series. If the testing shows the vaccine did not work, then the employer must offer and pay for a second vaccine series and testing.

For any employee that declines the vaccination, the employer must ensure the employee signs a HBV declination form.  If an employee initially declines the vaccination, and then decides to have it, the employer must pay for the initial vaccination series and post-vaccination testing, and second vaccination series and testing, if necessary. Employers are not required to provide the vaccination to employees who have already received it. However, be sure to obtain documentation of previous vaccination or have the employee sign the declination form.

OSHA does not require employers to provide routine booster shots or serologic testing, other than the serological testing required immediately following the vaccination series.

For our OSHA Review Subscribers: A HBV Vaccination declination form, Quick Guide 4, can be found in Section III of your OSHA Review binder.

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