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Code of Practice for control of work-related exposure to hepatitis and HIV (blood-borne) viruses - 2nd edition (2003)

This code provides practical guidance for the management of exposure to HBV, HCV and HIV in the workplace. The code is designed to be applicable to all workplaces, rather than focusing on the specific requirements of workers in health care settings. The management of exposure of health care workers to Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV is addressed by a recently released comprehensive document covering exposure to all infectious diseases in the health care setting.

Copy of the National Standard

National Code of Practice for the Control of Work-related Exposure to Hepatitis and HIV (blood-borne) Viruses [NOHSC: 2010 (2003) 2nd Edition] (PDF 173kB)

National Code of Practice for the Control of Work-related Exposure to Hepatitis and HIV (blood-borne) Viruses [NOHSC: 2010 (2003) 2nd Edition] (RTF 1132kB)

History of the Development of the National Standard

The October 2002 meeting of NOHSC (NOHSC 63) agreed to review the National Code of Practice for Health Care Workers and Other People at Risk of the Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B in the Workplace [NOHSC: 2010 (1993)].NOHSC 63 identified that the code was out-of-date and due for review under the Council of Australian Governments’, Principles and Guidelines for National Standard Setting and Regulatory Action by Ministerial Council and Standard-Setting Bodies.

NOHSC 63 agreed, subject to any necessary modification, to adopt the September 2001, Western Australia Code of Practice on the Management of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis at Workplaces as the replacement for the 1993 code. At that time the 2001 WA Code was regarded as best practice in Australia with international recognition through reference in the International Labour Organisation, Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work, June 2001.

The WA code was subsequently redrafted to develop a national model and, as required under Section 38 of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission Act 1985, released for a period of public consultation during 2003. The public comment received was considered by NOHSC and adopted as appropriate to produce the National Code of Practice for the Control of Work-related Exposure to Hepatitis and HIV (blood-borne) Viruses [NOHSC: 2010 (2003)].

A Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) was completed in September 2003 and recommended the National Code of Practice for Health Care Workers and Other People at Risk of the Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B in the Workplace [NOHSC:2010 (1993)] be revised and replaced with the National Code of Practice for the Control of Work-related Exposure to Hepatitis and HIV (Blood-borne) Viruses [NOHSC:2010(2003)] 2^nd Edition.

Regulatory Impact Statement (PDF 286kB)
Attachment A (PDF 32kB)
Attachment B (PDF 100kB)
Attachment C (PDF 100kB)
Attachment D (PDF 52kB)

The October 2003 meeting of NOHSC (NOHSC 66) agreed to the declare the new code from the date of gazettal and subject to endorsement from the November 2003 meeting of the Workplace Relations Ministers Council. The code will be gazetted on 3 December 2003.

Other Useful Australian Sites

To assist employers and employees to develop appropriate prevention and management measures to minimise the risk of exposure and transmission of HIV/AIDs, Hepatitis and other communicable diseases in the workplace, the following links to other related sites with information and guidance material have been provided. These sites are provided as guidance only and NOHSC take no responsibility for their content.

The Department of Health and Ageing

This site provides a direct link to the draft revised Infection Control Guidelines: for the prevention of transmission of infectious diseases in the health care setting, being produced by the Communicable Diseases Network Australia. Further information on HIV/AIDs and Hepatitis can be obtained through the Publication link on the Health and Ageing Home Site.

The Australian National Council on AIDs, Hepatitis C and related Communicable Diseases

This site provides access to general National Strategies on HIV/AIDs and Hepatitis, and provides guidance for specific workplace setting and interest groups.

NSW Health Department

This links directly to the NSW Health Circular 99/88: HEALTH CARE WORKERS INFECTED WITH HIV, HEPATITIS B OR HEPATITIS C. Although this document is specific to Health Care Settings, it provides policy and procedural guidance for the prevention and management of HIV and Hepatitis that may be adapted for other workplaces.

Worksafe Western Australia

This link will take you directly to WorkSafe Western Australia's Code of Practice for the Management of HIV/AIDs and Hepatitis at Workplaces (2000), which provides practical guidance for the management of HIV/AIDs and Hepatitis B and C in the general workplace.