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International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association

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  • 26 Apr 2022 8:41 AM | IJCSA - (Administrator)

    All industries, at some level, either employ janitorial staff or have employees who perform janitorial duties. It is of vital importance that these workers are educated about the occupational hazards they might reasonably be expected to encounter. By definition, janitorial duties include activities which potentially expose individuals to bloodborne pathogens; therefore, this is a subject that is especially relevant to workers in this sector. Even when no actual blood is involved, activities such as the most basic and necessary task of cleaning restrooms, involve the very real possibility of coming into contact with bodily fluids which may be contaminated with bloodborne pathogens.

    It is, therefore, of critical importance that all janitorial staff know about the nature and risks of bloodborne pathogens and the procedures and practices that minimize those risks so that they can stay safe and healthy while continuing to provide high quality service. Whenever the possibility of exposure to bloodborne pathogens exists, it is important for those that are at risk for such exposure, to proactively follow the procedures and practices that have been deemed by medical and safety professionals to meet the highest standards. These are collectively called the Universal Precautions. They protect workers by minimizing their exposure to potential risks. In addition, by requiring employees to understand and adhere to these "Universal Precautions," an employer protects their business from potentially costly issues caused by failure to comply with safety regulations.

    To search for a janitorial company with appropriately trained employees, follow the link below:

    https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices

  • 25 Apr 2022 8:50 PM | Deleted user

    Its important for cleaning staff to have basic bloodborne pathogens knowledge so employees can have a safe work enviroment. Having a sanitize work environment will let staff be able to handle any situation they may face. Like the video said having a good defense is a good offense,having a clean work enviroment a good defense to have against bloodborne pathogens.

    Blood can have numerous pathogens that can be infectious. HIV and HBV are bloodborne diseases that can have serious symptoms that any cleaning staff should at least be aware. Being aware of infectious diseases will give the cleaning staff the importance of a clean work environment.

    Having been through the recent pandemic we can see how easily a disease can spread and that's with protocols we have in place. Not having basic knowledge and understanding of a pathogen can lead to a worse outcome then we intend to have, it's very important for the cleaning staff to have understanding of bloodborne pathogens.

  • 25 Apr 2022 4:21 PM | Anonymous

    Working around bloodborne pathogens is a safety hazard. Proper training and knowledge are key to keeping your workers safe from harm. Understanding the different types of disease that can carry pathogens in the blood.

    Proper PPE's are a must to keep the spread of disease down. Even with ppe's you are still at risk. Wearing PPE'S at all times around infectious disease can help keep you safe. Proper disposal is also very important in eliminating spread after the job is complete. Washing hands and sanitizing ppe's are contact with blood is extremely important 

    If coming in contact with blood it is important that the proper way to clean and treat the area is done immediately. Having the contact information for infectious disease on hand is a must. Training refreshers yearly and  keeping your employees aware of the dangers they will face in certain cleaning situations are very important to keep them safe. 

  • 22 Apr 2022 12:44 PM | Deleted user

    The cleaning industry has been taking a toll on our planet for several decades. The use of harmful cleaning chemicals have contributed towards negative climate changes in addition to pollution and other environmental factors. Ironically the sole purpose of chemical cleaners only serves to leave our world in immoral conditions as it leads to an increase in waste and contaminants.

    Chemicals are primarily created/ produced in labs or factories where they often exhaust harmful pollutants in the atmosphere or water ways. This in return damages our ozone layer and contributes to more global warming. Our water ways contain many animals that have to suffer from the harsh toxicity as well. Without really knowing consumers who purchase and use these products are inflicting damage to our ecosystems and endangering habitats of precious wildlife.

    It is important to note that natural green products are just as effective as chemically induced solutions and has the reciprocal effect on our planet. We could save a lot of our planet if we adopt to greener solutions and make it a norm for the cleaning industry.

    Find Local Certified Green Cleaning Companies Here

  • 21 Apr 2022 9:12 AM | Herbert Simmons

    In this line of work it is always safety first, never knowing what you may encounter. The cleaning business in the middle of what is to be considered the worst Pandemic ever to hit the world. Simply changing out a trash bag without the proper protection (gloves and glasses) could cause you to get a cut from some glass or needle or even com in contact with some unknown fluid(s).

    I require all of my employees to take this course and I pay for it, they say knowledge is power and I aim high. Something as simple as cleaning a surface(s) with a sharp edge which is invisible to the naked eye, without the proper gear could end fatal. 

    More importantly, knowing the correct chemicals that is  OSHA approved to kill pathogens such as but not limited to, HBV or HIV. Having the proper protective  gear, with the approved products for disinfecting and sanitizing will always produce satisfied customers.

  • 15 Apr 2022 11:36 AM | Deleted user

    Bloodborne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that live within our blood, these pathogens are known to cause disease in humans, as a cleaning employees and it is our job to know how to properly handle, and clean an area which has been contaminated with blood, also knowing the proper disposal of contaminated materials.

    Without proper knowledge of how to clean a contaminated area you run the risk of illness and even death as bloodborne pathogens very easily enter our bodies through breaks in the skin, cuts, and our nose and mouth as they can infect us by making contact with our mucus membrane.

    There are procedures put in place to handle such contaminated items and areas, the cleaning employees along with staff should all be well aware and knowledgeable of these procedures for their safety and also the safety of the public. 

  • 14 Apr 2022 7:42 PM | Anonymous

    Biohazard cleanup should be left to the professionals. Blood, feces, urine, and other bodily fluids represent enormous risk to the human body and should be treated with extreme care. HIV/AIDS, Hepititus B and C, and many other diseases can cause serious health risks and even death if an exposure were to occur.

    Let the professional members of IJCSA handle all your biohazard cleanup needs. Their intensive and thorough training and certifications make them uniquely qualified to quickly and efficiently cleanup any biohazard waste situation.

    Please find a member and call today if you need help with a sewage backup, undiscovered death, murder or suicide, or any other biohazard cleanup need. Our discreet and professional service will be most helpful in your time of grief and need.  Call today!

  • 12 Apr 2022 12:26 PM | Deleted user

    According to OSHA, "Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in the human blood that can cause disease in humans." Some of the more well known bloodborne pathogens include HBV, HCV, HIV, and AIDS. Bloodborne pathogens spread through bodily fluids of and infected person and enter the body of another person. Some common forms of spread can include needles, blood, vomit, saliva, etc. 

    Because of the nature of bloodborne pathogens, it is essential to raise awareness within cleaning employees of the dangerous associated with these diseases in order to raise a sense of importance of the systems set in place. This will encourage employees to follow the processes set for their protection and limit liability as a business owner. Common symptoms include "fatigue, stomach pain, loss of appetite and nausea." Both you and your employees should be on lookout for these symptoms after coming into contact with the bodily fluids of another person. It is also important to know that these symptoms can take 2 to 6 months to even years for symptoms to develop. 

    Ways to lower the risk of bloodborne pathogens exposure includes following safety procedures to cleaning bodily fluids. Which includes wearing PPE, properly handing items that could be contaminated, and placing contaminated items in their designated locations. By following these steps you ensure the health of you and your co-workers. 

  • 11 Apr 2022 10:12 PM | Deleted user

    Why is properly Cleaning a health facility so important? That is an easy answer.

    Hospitals are one of the dirtiest places you can work and germ filled. Contamination is everywhere here. Watching these videos it shows how many areas they are and steps to take to make sure you are safe as well as the staff and patients to prevent the spread of germs and diseases.

    Also to protect yourself make sure you are wearing PPE at all times, gown, masks, glasses and gloves. Hand washing is also very important as well as using sanitizer when hands do not seem dirty to kill off any germs, virus on your hands.

    Keeping rooms cleaned also helps the patient as well as everyone else not get infected with anything. One of the most important thing is to clean the hard surfaces of objects in the room and not to touch anything without gloves so you do not spread any illness to anyone.

     https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices to find a list of medical cleaning companies.

  • 11 Apr 2022 7:36 PM | Deleted user

    Bloodborne pathogens are a potential threat in any industry, I work in the automotive industry and while it may not be as prevalent as some other professions, it resides here as well. We process as many as 1000 vehicles a week and the threats range from used needles to blood stains to spit bottles.

      We have a lot of the younger crowd, you know "the invincible ones" that throw caution to the wind and just want to hurry up and get done. Without proper BBP training they don't realize their life could change in an instant. These employees must know the dangers to avoid contracting HIV or Hepatitis and taking it home to their families.

      Our daily goal is to send our employees home in the same condition they arrived, making sure they are wearing the proper PPE.  It's imperative to spend the time it takes to have shop meetings to explain the dangers of BBP, to explain why we look into seat pockets before we reach and why we don't shove our hands under the seats to get some trash out. Awareness goes a long way toward prevention.

    Our rule for potential threats is the same as if you find a firearm, if you see a firearm, needle or blood, don't touch it, stop what you're doing, lock the vehicle and take the keys and notify a supervisor, at that point a supervisor or manager can proceed with assessing the threat. 

     

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