The occupational exposure literature review has been reviewed and includes 1 new objective and 2 new recommendations.

New objective - What is the definition of an “occupational exposure”?

This objective was split from the definition of a “significant occupational exposure” to allow clarity between the two definitions.

New recommendations

What occupational health screening and protection should be offered to healthcare workers?

‘Risk assessment of job roles should be undertaken to identify areas where occupational exposure may occur. There should also be policies and procedures in place to update these risk assessments when necessary.

Employers are required to eliminate or reduce workplace risks where it is reasonably practicable.’

What is the risk to healthcare workers of blood borne virus (BBV) transmission following occupational exposure?

‘There have been a total of 23 HCV seroconversions in HCWs reported in the UK, with the most recent reported in 2015. All of these seroconversions were the result of percutaneous exposures from hollowbore needles. A single HIV seroconversion in a HCW was reported in the UK in 1999, again from percutaneous exposure from a hollowbore needle. There have been no reported seroconversions of HBV in HCWs in the UK.’