// Occupations and Workplaces

Phlebotomist

What is a phlebotomist? A phlebotomist is a medical professional trained to perform blood draws.

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// Requirements
12
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Contents Portal Graph
  • context A phlebotomist is a medical professional trained to perform blood draws. Phlebotomists collect and prepare blood for testing so it can be analyzed in a medical laboratory. They also collect blood for donation, perform blood transfusions, and administer intravenous therapies.

Phlebotomists work in a variety of places, including but not limited to:

  • context Clinical laboratories
  • context Pharmacies
  • context Hospitals
  • context Community health centers
  • context Assisted living facilities and nursing homes
  • context Doctor’s offices
  • context Blood donation centers and blood drives
  • context Insurance companies
  • context Scientific research

Hazards include: Biological hazards Chemical Hazards Ergonomic Hazards Psychological Hazards Safety Hazards

  • biological Bloodborne pathogens (such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)) and other infectious agents through blood
  • general Bodily fluids
  • biological Exposure to airborne illnesses (viral or bacterial) from patients
  • general Exposure to hazardous drugs or substances when administering to patients, including chemotherapy. Follow the precautions on any medical pamphlet or the manufacturer’s instructions
  • general Formaldehyde (used for specimen preservation)
  • general Disinfectant cleaning agents and cleaning products
  • general Latex (found in gloves and equipment)
  • general Dermatitis, irritant contact
  • ergonomic Lifting or moving patients and equipment
  • general Carpal Tunnel
  • general Physical injuries, such as back strain, from standing for long periods of time
  • psychosocial Shift work
  • psychosocial Fatigue
  • general Uncooperative, agitated or aggressive patients
  • psychosocial High stress
  • biological Needlestick and sharps injuries
  • safety Slips and trips
  • psychosocial Working alone with patients

Ensure that you are trained and informed about how to avoid the various health and safety hazards of your job.

  • requirement Hand washing, routine practices, and other measures are extremely important for the reduction of infections. Be sure to use moisturizers to prevent your skin from drying.
  • requirement Learn proper techniques to avoid needlestick injuries.
  • requirement Learn safe patient lifting techniques - create a safe patient handling program.
  • requirement Understanding other additional measures for reducing exposure to infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.
  • requirement Learn safe lifting techniques, such as manual material handling and patient handling techniques
  • requirement Be aware of your surroundings to avoid trips and falls.
  • administrative Follow or establish safety procedures for working alone, or for avoiding working alone wherever possible.
  • administrative Follow or establish procedures for Working Alone with Patients
  • ppe Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment for the task, like gloves, respirators, masks, and safety glasses
  • administrative Participate in WHMIS Training
  • requirement Review the safety data sheet (SDS) for hazardous products
  • requirement Fact sheet first published: 2026-01-30

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Chemicals

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Chemicals Formaldehyde Solutions
1 practices Open →

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Diseases, Disorders, Injuries

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Diseases, Disorders, Injuries Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
4 practices Open →
Diseases, Disorders, Injuries Dermatitis, Irritant Contact
10 practices Open →
Diseases, Disorders, Injuries Hepatitis B
4 practices Open →
Diseases, Disorders, Injuries Hepatitis C
2 practices Open →
Diseases, Disorders, Injuries Latex Allergy
6 practices hand protection Open →
Diseases, Disorders, Injuries HIV/AIDS in the Workplace
0 practices Open →

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Lifting, pushing, pulling

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

Lifting, pushing, pulling MMH - Introduction
0 practices Open →

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Pandemics

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Pandemics Hand Washing: Reducing the Risk of Common Infections
0 practices Open →

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Shiftwork

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Shiftwork Rotational Shiftwork
0 practices Open →

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Sitting, standing, …

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Sitting, standing, … Working in a Standing Position - Basic Information
15 practices Open →

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Stress

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Stress Workplace Stress – General
0 practices Open →

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WHMIS/GHS/SDS

Notes for this occupation. Open one to read the practices and the protection it calls for.

WHMIS/GHS/SDS WHMIS - General
0 practices Open →
WHMIS/GHS/SDS WHMIS - Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
0 practices Open →
Phlebotomist
HAS_ISSUE 18
HAS_REQUIREMENT 12
LINKS_TO 29
SOURCE_PAGE 1

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Other CCOHS pages 1

Fact sheets 25

Occupations 1

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