As of September 1988, approximately 70 countries had enacted some form of legislation concerning AIDS and HIV infection, a significant number of which addressed issues concerning HCW's. This article first examines the nature of the risk of AIDS infection for HCW's, concluding that although the risk of infection to HCW's is extremely low, the safety concerns of HCW's should be met. Recognizing the importance of compliance by HCW's with universal precautions, a number of countries have issued regulations or guidelines designed to prevent transmission. Although not encompassed in legislation, there have been recommendations that some or all categories of hospitalized patients be tested for the HIV antibody; this may include the testing of HCW's, particularly those engaged in invasive procedures. The article also discusses how various countries have dealt with the obligation to provide care for HIV-infected persons, the response to HIV-positive HCW's, and the issue of confidentiality. A table shows which countries require mandatory reporting of AIDS and seropositivity. 47 footnotes.