OSHA (oh-shuh), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has developed guidelines that may affect daycare workers. One regulation calls for employers to provide the hepatitis B vaccine to people whose job duties may pose the likelihood of being exposed to blood-borne pathogens (path-oh-jins). Daycare center employees specifically designated to render medical aid or assistance as part of their job duties, are within the scope of this standard. Each employer is responsible for classifying whether or not a job position qualifies for this standard. If a caregiver, whose job doesn't reasonably include rendering aid, does give medical assistance to a child, then this is considered a technical violation. No penalty applies to the employer for these violations. Another OSHA regulation requires non-religious daycares employing more than ten workers to keep a log of all on-the-job injuries or related illnesses. The list, along with a supplementary record, must be posted in an annual summary. For questions regarding OSHA standards and your child's daycare, contact your care provider.
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