The changing face of the healthcare market. Interview by Virginia Sowers.

Angelica CEO Jim Stefoff knows a good market opportunity when he sees one. And right now, the time is right for textile rental companies to make inroads into the small medical and dental office market that is emerging in the aftermath of the OSHA bloodborne pathogens ruling. But, Stefoff cautions, the industry must be in full compliance with OSHA regulations and able to provide the right delivery system and products.

Mixed plants sort through bloodborne pathogens rule.

As with any regulation, the OSHA bloodborne pathogens rule contains gray areas, particularly for mixed plants that must implement plantwide healthcare exposure controls when only a portion of the work is regulated. Hand-washing chambers and material handling systems offer partial solutions for reducing employees' exposure to pathogens that may be present in soiled laundry.

Bloodborne pathogens compliance update. Local OSHA regulations cover textile rental companies in 23 states and two U.S. territories.

The last phase of the federal OSHA standard on occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens became effective July 6. However, compliance deadlines may vary in the 23 states and two U.S. territories that have their own OSHA offices. The states and territories have the option of adopting the federal standard or drafting their own plans. Here's a status report on the OSHA-approved state programs for bloodborne pathogens.

Training and compliance high on OSHA's list.

This is the third in a series of three articles on OSHA's new ruling on bloodborne pathogens. It covers engineering and work practice controls, employee training, record keeping, and signs and labels.

OSHA gets into dirty laundry.

Second of a three-part series on the new bloodborne pathogens rule, this article covers exposure control plans, personal protective equipment for laundry workers, and compliance monitoring. In short, the rule mandates more record keeping for employers and less exposure for employees. By May 5, every laundry with employees who could "reasonably anticipate" coming into contact with blood-soiled linen and needles or sharps must establish a written exposure control plan. Turn to page 60 for information to help you get into compliance.

Are your employees protected from blood-borne pathogens? OSHA standards charge textile rental companies with responsibility for worker safety.

Congress is putting pressure on OSHA to finalize its Universal Precaution standards by December. When the standards go into effect, textile rental companies that serve medical, dental, and outpatient care facilities--including private physician and dentist offices--must take steps to protect employees from blood-borne pathogens. Soiled linens, towels, gowns, and other items from any customer in risk categories link a textile rental facility and/or commercial laundry with the OSHA regulations. Read and heed this information.

Pretreatment standards: categorical regulations on the horizon.

As Congress writes aggressive wastewater laws and EPA tightens its regulatory grip, the question of whether to fight or compromise becomes even more pressing for the textile rental industry. As Congress moves forward on the reauthorization of the Clean Water Act, EPA's authority to issue pretreatment standards could be greatly strengthened. Categorical pretreatment standards would set national limits on the concentrations of various pollutants that are being discharged to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). As EPA lays out its recommendations to Congress, perhaps it's time for the textile rental industry to reevaluate its position on categorical standards.