Dear Jeanne and Lactnetters All: Thanks for the CDC and OSHA info re: need for wearing gloves when working w/ breastmilk. I have been trying to get this question answered for a while. The OSHA letter is supportive for not wearing gloves, but I think it is outdated, since it's from 1992. As of sometime in 1998, our local hospitals have adopted a newer guideline, called Standard Precautions, which I understand replaces Universal Precautions, for in-patient facilities, at any rate. I work in an out-patient setting, and have yet to see information that clarifies whether I should be following Universal or Standard Precautions. Standard Precautions calls for wearing gloves. Can anyone shed light on this topic? TIA from: Martha Johnson RN IBCLC Eugene, Oregon > ---------- > From: Jeanne Mitchell[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 1999 5:00 AM > Subject: Universal Precautions > > Several people have asked me to post the URL's for the CDC and OSHA > standards regarding human milk. > > Centers for Disease Control and Prevention > http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hip/universa.htm > This is a long document that defines Universal Precautions, which do not > apply to human breast milk. The paragraph about human milk is at the > bottom. > > OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration, US Dept. of Labor) > http://www.osha-slc.gov/OshDoc/Interp_data/I19921214.html > This is a letter clarifying that human milk is not considered a > potentially infectious material. > > By the way, I have heard on 2 separate occassions that OSHA requires > expressed milk to be stored in a separate refrigerator from regular > food. I have searched their website and can find NO documentation of > this. It appears that some states and some regions define the standards > as they see fit. I want a national interpretation on this. I may make > some calls. I'll be sure to let y'all know if I find out anything. > > -- > Jeanne Mitchell, Austin, TX > http://www.flash.net/~xanth/home.htm > mailto:[log in to unmask] > "You can tell the quality of a person by how > they treat people they don't need." My Dad >