OSHA requires employers to offer the hepatitis B vaccine to employees who have occupational exposure risk to bloodborne pathogens. Phlebotomists routinely handle blood, contaminated needles, sharps, and potentially infectious materials, so they fall into the category of workers who require bloodborne pathogen protection under workplace safety standards. Hepatitis B is a bloodborne viral infection that can be transmitted through needlestick injuries, mucous membrane exposure, or contact with contaminated blood. The vaccine is an important preventive measure and must be offered according to employer exposure-control procedures. Medical insurance and life insurance are employee benefit issues, not OSHA bloodborne-pathogen requirements. Phenylketonuria screening is a newborn metabolic screening test and has no connection to employee exposure prevention. In practice, the phlebotomist must also follow standard precautions, use PPE, activate safety devices, dispose of sharps immediately, report exposures, and comply with the facility exposure-control plan. Reference topics: Safety and Compliance; OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard; hepatitis B vaccination; occupational exposure; needlestick prevention.

==========