Learning on how to handle bloodborne pathogens

Handling  labeled material's and disposal, also taking precautions on cleaning & disposal.  Handle contaminated laundry cautiously.  Laundry bags need to be  properly labeled color coded containers  if they are being transferred to another facility this also includes gloves and equipment.  Always wear protective equipment , never manually compress trash.  Never eat, drink or smoke or use any type of lip balm in areas that there could possibly be blood borne pathogen exposures.  Avoid spattering or splashing when cleaning up.  Never reuse Towels or Sponges.  Do not bend or recap contaminated needles.  If you think you were exposed to bloodborne pathogens contact your supervisor and or physician and watch for symptoms and when a exposure has happened the (Supervisor)  needs to keep records for 3 years after the exposure.   Have a written control expose plan and this plan needs to be updated at all times, reviewing the plan annually. Always decontaminate surfaces and or areas with disinfectants and always disinfect cleaning equipment and materials

Always wash your hands properly. 

Germs live everywhere you can find germs everywhere, Most germs wont harm you , your immune system protect you against infectious diseases, 

The best practice is a two step cleaning process, first clean surfaces with a general cleaning solution to remove the visible soil, then go back with a disinfectant to kill any microbes that remain without first removing the dirt and debris the disinfectant can not do its job to kill bacteria and viruses

When cleaning residential and commercial setting use the special operating procedure done in medical set up use proper PPE use medical grade cleaning solutions and treat any bodily fluid to be infectious and after the cleaning disinfect all equipment and dispose garbage properly as medical waste.

Proper cleaning can reduce the spread of contagious viruses, Although disinfecting is a standard operating procedure in health care using a hospital grade disinfectant in most setting, particularly on high traffic, high touch surfaces, the dirtiest spots in offices.

The best practice is a two step cleaning process. First clean surfaces with general-purpose cleaner to remove visible soil, then go back with a disinfectant to kill any microbes that remain without first removing dirt and debris, a disinfectant is less likely to meet its kill claims. 

Having proper cleaning in healthcare facilities is an important part of healthcare, due to all those bloodborne pathogens and COVID being everywhere is a major concern. So having proper cleaning in healthcare facilities is a must , to avoid the spreading of illnesses and viruses to the janitors self and other employees and patients.

So all janitors must take the proper training so  they will know how to properly handle and decontaminate. To avoid the spreading of illnesses and viruses by following what they have learned and what their facilities mandates as well as OSHA’S mandates and rules . To find a cleaning company for your company or facility please go to : https://ijsca.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that are transmitted through the bloodstream. The viruses that cause Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immuno- deficiency Virus (HIV) are two examples of bloodborne pathogens. For a bloodborne pathogen to be spread, the bodily fluids of an infected person must enter into the bloodstream of another person. The most common cause

of transmission in the workplace is when an infected person’s blood enters another person’s bloodstream through an open wound. There are good reasons to provide workers with a safety training program about bloodborne pathogens. First, anybody can be exposed during an accident or even from close contact with someone who has an open sore.  “Each employer (1) shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees; (2) shall comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.”

(b) “Each employee shall comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to this Act which are applicable to his own actions and conduct.

Many of us have heard the old saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Though simple, this phrase contains life-saving advice, especially when dealing with bloodborne pathogens. As we have seen in the year 2021, proper precautions while dealing with contaminates helps to eliminate or at least reduce the spread of infectious disease. Cleaning staff plays a major role in this prevention by following important protocol set in place by OSHA and the companies that employ them. 

Exposure to bloodborne pathogens can occur with the simplest of events. Diseases can enter the body not only through cuts and abrasions on a person's body, but also through eating, drinking, or smoking in a contaminated area. Not only can one easily become a risk, they can be a risk for years before a diagnosis, potentially exposing thousands they come in contact with. It is our job to be diligent at all times so as not to become infected and spread disease. 

In order to protect those around us, we must follow a few procedures. Always assume bodily fluids are contaminated. Look for and dispose all needles in bedding. Do not reuse gloves and other items that have come in contact with pathogens. Disinfect equipment such as mop buckets and surfaces with proper disinfectants. Never reuse towels and other porous equipment that has been used to clean up bodily fluids and other exposure risks. 

As mentioned earlier, we must assume that all exposures are risks, and symptoms may not occur for years after infection. Because these symptoms can also easily be dismissed as minor illness, it is important to contact your supervisor, doctor, and all those necessary to make sure everyone is aware and can also take precautions. Health records should be maintained for future reference, and medications and treatments such as vaccines should be readily available for the safety and care of staff. 

Cleaning staff may not feel like they play a major role in society, but they are the first responders to bloodborne pathogens. Cleaners are a vital key to preventing major outbreaks of disease, and maintaining the safety of society. By extreme awareness and proper cleaning procedures, they can help prevent the spread of major illnesses. 

Bloodborne pathogens are a serious concern for cleaning employees and staff.  It’s important that all cleaning personnel understand what bloodborne pathogens are, what hazards they possess, how to prevent exposure and the procedures for post exposure.  Bloodborne pathogens include viruses like HBV, HCV, HIV and OPIMs.  These disease can be transferred through blood and bodily fluids.  It’s greatly important that cleaning employees and staff understand the importance of these hazards.

OSHA has created bloodborne pathogen standards that guides employers on how to implement control measures, universal precautions, hazard communication and recordkeeping.  Work practices should be explained to the employees and enforcement of the procedures should be a top priority.  Understanding the importance of using PPE, disinfectants and the post-exposure steps are critical in those working in facilities that have possible contact with bloodborne pathogens.

Employers must implement a safety program where the staff and employees understand and follow the rules for working with bloodborne pathogens.  They must wear the proper PPE, use the appropriate cleaning products and equipment when working in these facilities.  The importance of understanding bloodborne pathogens is to enforce precautionary measures to prevent exposure.   

Unless you are going to wait to use the bathroom until you get home,then  public restrooms are the the primary option.

So if you use a bathroom,and it's not properly clean then you are at risk of a infection or illness. Let me also add depending how healthy you are,it can also affect how your cells respond so some people can be affected even more. 

When you are working in a office,and it's not properly sanitized,or clean,then the indoor quality which is vital to our health can be affected which is super imperative as well.

So in conclusion Janitors are as important as all other front line workers because they are the protectors of our health in a public setting.

House cleaning would seem to be a simple enough process. We all have homes that we clean and we all have our methods that we have found to be effective. But like all things their is a process, and often the processes that you find with proper training. Lead to your team being more efficient and cost effective.

For example how many teams start vacuuming before they dust? Often cleaning top to bottom is a method of cleaning that allows for the laws of gravity to work with you and not against you. Sometimes home owners will watch you clean and complain before your even done. Having a certificate such as this allows you to say. We are certified in our cleaning process and follow strict guidelines to insure a job well done. 

This being said, it is also important to remember that the customer is always right and if they think something should be done a different way. Let them pay you to do it their way.   

https://www.ijcsa.org/House-Cleaning-Services

A lot of cleaning products or common household products can irritate the eyes, nose or throat or can cause allergies or  other health problems, including cancers, other cleaning chemicals emit hazardous fumes including volatile organic compound. Other harmful ingredients include ammonia and bleach.

commercial use of cleaning products can affect indoor and outdoor environment and can lead to pollution and waste. Water pollution from many chemicals from cleaning products are washed to rivers and streams that ends up to the worlds oceans affecting marine life.

Cleaning green on the other hand have this advantage, workers are reduce to toxic exposure. Harmful chemicals are eliminated reducing asthma attack by effectivity keeping dust and chemical allergens at bay.

Improvement on the overall air quality both indoor and outdoor by reducing airborne dust and chemical gases. Converting to greener products and procedures helps reduce pollution to our waterways , oceans and in the air it also minimize the impact on the global warming.