Free CPD-Accredited Course Gives Healthcare Workers the Tools to Prevent Life-Threatening Needlestick Injuries
Alison has launched a new CPD-accredited course: OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. This free online course equips healthcare workers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens, respond correctly after an injury, and comply with occupational health and safety regulations. With needlestick and sharps injuries affecting nearly half of all healthcare workers globally, the course addresses one of the most persistent and preventable hazards in clinical environments worldwide.
The course covers the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) — widely recognised internationally as the benchmark framework for managing occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials — alongside equivalent regulatory requirements in the EU, UK, and Canada. learners will explore the routes of bloodborne pathogen transmission, the hierarchy of infection controls, the safe handling and disposal of sharps, and the steps required after a potential exposure, including post-exposure prophylaxis and reporting obligations.
A Global Occupational Health Crisis That Training Can Solve
According to the World Health Organization, more than two million occupational needlestick exposures occur among the world's 35 million healthcare workers every year. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the WHO's East Mediterranean Health Journal, drawing on 113 studies and over 525,000 healthcare workers globally, found that 43% of healthcare workers have experienced a needlestick injury. Africa recorded the highest rate of any continent at 51%, with the WHO African Region the highest of any WHO region at 52%. Nurses bear the greatest burden, accounting for over 56% of all injuries. The consequences are serious: WHO attributes 36.7% of occupational HBV infections, 39% of occupational HCV infections, and 4.4% of occupational HIV infections to needlestick injuries. In the United States alone, the CDC estimates approximately 385,000 such injuries occur annually among hospital-based staff — a figure considered a significant undercount due to widespread underreporting.
Critically, the same global research confirms that the incidence of needlestick injuries is gradually decreasing, and that between 62% and 88% of injuries are preventable through proper training, protocol adherence, and the correct use of safety-engineered devices. Education is the intervention that makes the difference.
Why Bloodborne Pathogen Training Matters for Healthcare Workers Everywhere
Tyler Honor, a Certified Safety Professional, stated: "Bloodborne pathogen exposure remains a serious workplace hazard across many industries, and proper training plays a critical role in protecting workers. This course provides learners with a practical understanding of exposure risks, safe work practices, exposure control measures, and the importance of responding quickly and correctly when potential exposure incidents occur."
This launch expands Alison's portfolio of workplace health and safety courses, reinforcing its commitment to making high-quality, accredited education freely accessible to learners in every country, with particular focus on communities where occupational safety resources are most scarce.
To learn more or enrol in the course, visit: alison.com/course/osha-bloodborne-pathogens-training
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About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
