Bloodborne Pathogens Course
Earn your CPD-accredited Bloodborne Pathogens training certificate online with Echo3. Course teaches how to prevent exposure to bloodborne viruses.
Provider
Echo3 Education, UK(Online)This course is available on the Echo3 Education website.
Description
Online Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Training
The Echo3 Bloodborne Pathogens training course online teaches staff how to prevent exposure to harmful microorganisms found in human blood.
These microorganisms, known as bloodborne pathogens, include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. They present a risk in any workplace where contact with blood may occur, including hospitals, care homes, schools, cleaning roles, tattoo studios, and construction sites. Other potentially infectious materials (OPIMs), such as blood-contaminated bandages or used needles, can also carry infection.
With proper training, workers learn how to reduce risk, follow safe working practices, and respond correctly to suspected exposure incidents. It also provides employers with clear, documented evidence that they have met their duty of care.
Why Bloodborne Pathogen Training Matters
Occupational exposure to bloodborne viruses remains a significant workplace risk, particularly in healthcare settings and other high-risk environments such as tattoo studios.
Between 1997 and 2018, Public Health England recorded 8,765 significant exposure incidents among healthcare workers across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, research consistently shows that many incidents go unreported.
Although the UK’s national surveillance system was suspended in 2021, the risk has not diminished. Workers continue to be exposed through needlestick injuries, sharps incidents, and contact with contaminated blood or body fluids.
Employers who fail to provide appropriate training and controls may face enforcement action, prosecution under COSHH, increased insurance costs, and reputational damage.
Legal Requirements for Bloodborne Pathogen Training
UK employers must assess and control the risk of BBP exposure. The key regulations are:
- COSHH 2002: classifies BBVs as Hazard Group 3 biological agents. Requires risk assessment, control measures, training, and health surveillance records.
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 / Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: require adequate training for any identified workplace hazard.
- Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013: require safer sharps, staff training, and incident reporting in healthcare settings.
- RIDDOR 2013: BBV exposures resulting in infection or incapacity must be recorded and, in certain cases, reported to the HSE.
This course is written in compliance with COSHH. Training records are stored in the Echo3 LMS, accessible for audits and inspections throughout the certificate’s validity.
Who Should Take the Bloodborne Pathogens Course Online
Anyone whose work could bring them into contact with human blood or contaminated materials:
- Healthcare workers, care assistants, and dental staff
- Cleaners, domestic staff, and waste handlers particularly in hospitals, schools, or sites where discarded sharps may be present
- Tattooists, piercers, and beauticians performing skin-breaking procedures
Suitable for newcomers, experienced workers refreshing their knowledge, and anyone formalising informal on-the-job training. Workers who also handle needles should consider the Needlestick and Sharps course alongside this one.
CPD-Accredited Bloodborne Pathogens Training
Independently accredited by the CPD Group. The certificate supports workplace audits, regulatory inspections, and internal compliance requirements.
Course Format and Duration
Video-led modules covering BBP identification, protective measures, safe handling, and emergency procedures each with interactive knowledge checks. Self-paced, accessible on any device. Most learners complete in approximately 60 minutes.
Certificate and Compliance
On passing, learners receive a QR code-protected, CPD-accredited certificate, valid for three years. All records are stored in the Echo3 LMS for employer access during audits and compliance reviews.
Echo3 – The Smarter Way to Train
Echo3 delivers fully online safety training with learner tracking, certification management, and compliance records all from one dashboard. Combine this course with Needlestick and Sharps, PPE, COSHH Awareness and RIDDOR training for a structured approach to biological hazard management.
About Echo3 Education
Echo3 Education LTD was founded in 2016 to provide organisation with a cost-effective platform for providing staff with high quality health and safety training.
Our accredited courses cover best-practice guidance from the UK Health & Safety Executive. Employee responsibilities are communicated in an engaging way with clear language so your staff will know how to contribute to a safe, healthy and productive workplace.
Each course culminates in a knowledge check with completion certificate to help ensure you meet both training and record keeping requirements.
Rated 'Excellent' by over 800 company & learner reviews, prices start at only £3.50 per course.
