Final answer:
In 1992, OSHA mandated the use of barrier devices or pocket masks for ATs during CPR to minimize the transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1992, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandated that athletic trainers (ATs) use barrier devices or pocket masks to minimize transmission of bloodborne pathogens while performing CPR. This requirement arose to enhance the safety of both the rescuer and the victim during CPR by reducing direct contact and the potential exchange of bodily fluids. As CPR entails providing breaths and chest compressions, the use of pocket masks or barrier devices provides a protective layer to prevent the direct transmission of bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.