Barriers, sharps and cleanup at the station: what the OSHA standard says
Updated October 16, 2026
The OSHA standard allows protective coverings like plastic wrap on equipment and surfaces, and requires replacing them when they're contaminated or at the end of the shift. Contaminated sharps go into closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof, labeled containers that aren't overfilled, and hands get washed right after gloves come off.
Barriers
1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)(B) covers protective coverings such as plastic wrap, aluminum foil or imperviously-backed absorbent paper over equipment and surfaces. They have to be removed and replaced as soon as feasible when they become overtly contaminated, or at the end of the work shift if they may have been contaminated during it.
Barrier film, clip-cord sleeves, bottle bags and machine bags all work the same way: anything you touch with a dirty glove gets covered or cleaned, and the cover goes in the trash at breakdown.
Surfaces
Under 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii)(A), contaminated work surfaces must be decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant after procedures are done, immediately after overt contamination or any spill of blood, and at the end of the shift if they may have been contaminated.
Sharps
Contaminated sharps are discarded immediately or as soon as feasible into containers that are closable, puncture resistant, leakproof on the sides and bottom, and labeled or color-coded, under 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(1). The containers must be easily accessible close to where sharps are used, kept upright and not allowed to overfill, under (d)(4)(iii)(A)(2).
Hands and gloves
1910.1030(d)(2)(v) requires washing hands immediately or as soon as feasible after removing gloves. Disposable gloves are replaced as soon as practical when contaminated, torn or punctured, under (d)(3)(ix)(A), and are never washed or decontaminated for reuse, under (d)(3)(ix)(B).
Your county may ask for more
Body-art rules often add their own sanitation requirements, such as autoclave spore testing or single-use items. The standard above is the floor, not the whole rulebook.