A clean environment in which one lives or works is essential for good health, much like the air, food and water we need. Bloodborne pathogens similar to contaminated air, food and water poses a risk to health and life.

A well trained janitorial service being educated about the potential dangers of bloodborne pathogens, can help maintain a clean and safe environment to benefit the health of those in it.

IJCSA maintains high standards for its members and therefore provides the necessary training to achieve certification in the various scopes of the profession. The bloodborne certification is one credential on the path of excellence and professionalism for the IJCSA members.

While there are many places to locate certified residential cleaners in your area, there are not many directories that you can trust to provide you with trained specialists. Locating someone that knows how to clean an area is much easier than finding someone that you would trust to appropriately apply cleaner to areas in your home. Experience is great, but specialized training drives home the idea of safety in a residential setting and the legal issues with avoiding damage to your personal items. 

Hiring a cleaning service that is not properly trained can also result in the improper use of cleaning practices, time wasted, and a higher direct cost for you as the customer. Taking the time to select and pay a company to provide services, only to have them not deliver to expectations can be a grueling processes. It can not only leave you disappointed in the cleaning process, but it can also scar you from wanting cleaning services in the future. 

Ensuring proper training for your cleaning company can also minimize injuries (and insurance claims) in your home and foster a better working relationship  between you and the people tasked with keeping your home safe and clean. Having a company that is insured is great, but would it not be better to locate companies that don't rely on their insurance to mitigate mistakes within your home? Selecting a company that has taken it upon themselves to expand their education in their industry should be top priority anytime that you are trusting someone to enter your home. 

The IJCSA is an industry leader in training for the cleaning profession. Companies that are certified through this organization undergo several rigorous certification examinations to ensure that they are prepared and knowledgeable about safety and cleanliness. They are not only provided training in the best and up to date cleaning standards, they are also trained on the importance of customer satisfaction and dealing with the public. 

The IJCSA offers businesses the opportunity to choose to grow their knowledge of cleaning standards to build a trusted business. Members of this organization are not fly by night companies that want a job here and there, these are respected businesses that want to grow and provide quality service to their community. They put in the extra hours to provide trusted services to their customers. They learn from others in the industry and communicate with professionals from around the world to expand and showcase their expertise. IJCSA makes it very easy for anyone to locate their directory of specialists by way of their Home Cleaning and Maid Services Directory. This enables anyone to be able to locate these trained professionals based on their geographic location at anytime. Locating a cleaning person is easy, and now locating a trained professional is even easier!

Did you know that even a slight amount of mold in your home can create a dire medical situation? Did you know that when you clean visible mold, there is often hidden mold that will continue to grow? This is why it is imperative to locate and hire a trained professional to inspect and treat if you speculate that you may have a mold issue in your home. Finding a professional with the experience and knowledge needed to properly locate the mold, locate the source of moisture, and remove all hazards can be as easy as one website. By using IJCSA's Flood Damage Directory, you can be put in contact with a certified specialist in your area who can answer all of your questions and provide service backed with top-notch training. Through this program, professionals are trained to locate the source of moisture, determine the entiriety of hidden mold damages, and remove or apply appropriate chemicals to properly clean the affected areas. Through this FREE service, you can find a professional that you can trust to complete the job with your safety in mind. 

​Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms such as bacteria, and viruses that are present in human blood, and can cause harmful disease in humans. There are many types of pathogens. Some of these are malaria, syphilis. However Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are two common diseases associated with blood borne pathogens. 

Cleaning professionals, and cleaning staff work in an occupation that holds an anticipated risk of being exposed to blood borne pathogens. This is due to the fact that cleaning professionals, and cleaning staff perform job duties that put them at greater risk of being exposed to blood or vomit. This can be washing soiled laundry, empty trash cans that may have a needle in it, cleaning up vomit or spilled blood, or removing other contaminated items.

Because of the anticipated  occupational exposure to such risks it is important that cleaning professionals, and staff get proper training and education regarding blood borne pathogens. This not only assists in eliminating risks, such as how and when to use personal protective equipment, how to dispose of contaminated items, properly, and proper hand washing. It also educates cleaning professionals and staff on “what to do if they are exposed to blood borne pathogens. Lastly, cleaning professionals are aware of OSHA standards, and if their employees are adhering to those standards.

I actually intend on mold cleaning/prevention to be my main advertised service I offer. I live in Michigan where a lot of things like to freeze over and later on melt. Moisture is a big problem even in freezers or fridges. I plan on advertising my business by knocking door to door for a while as well as handing flyers and business cards out. I was inspired by a mold outbreak I found in when moving into a new place. I believe mold is more common than we might think is and I'd like to help prevent mold and keep people safe by spreading information as mold can be lethal in some cases. 

I believe having a mold cleaning service would be beneficial to any cleaning business because when things are dirty mold is often nearby. Imagine having to call another cleaner or inspector instead of being able to charge and do it yourself. Even if you only offer the information to the client. It'll be a very good way to show your professionalism/experience as well as building repor with clients. 

The first thing that pops up into my head when it comes to bloodborne pathogens are the possible dangers of being exposed to a serious illness. As someone who is just starting in this business I have to understand how important it is to maintain safety standards for myself in order to be a positive leader for any future employees. 

From prior military service I understand how PPE can easily be looked over and even in some cases be made fun of. It is of the utmost importance to wear all PPE necessary in order to keep safety standards up while encouraging positive PPE use. In the case of exposure it is always important to follow universal precautions and have a plan in order to prevent longterm injury. Learning what HBV & HIV symptoms are can be very essential in the case of exposure.

The process should conclude with a thorough Decontamination. Any and all exposure risks should be cleaned with the proper products and disposed of properly. In color coded bags such as red or orange. This also includes Decontaminating any and all tools used for the cleanup. Understanding each and every step about cleaning/working with bloodborne pathogens are very important and crucial to any cleaning business/company.

Proper cleaning is essential in all categories of places that a janitorial staff may clean. Whether it is a medical facility, another commercial business or a residential area. Many of the same techniques can be used throughout your cleaning business.

Using medical cleaning practices in other areas of cleaning is a great way to help ensure that the spread of germs and viruses is lessened in other buildings and areas. In fact, when COVID-19 came into the daily practices of many places the cleaning became almost parallel in the way things were disinfected.

Disinfecting should always be a step in cleaning any public place. Germs and viruses are everywhere, not just in a medical facility. Germs are also present in residential areas as well and viruses may harbor there too before you are aware someone may be ill so incorporating medical standards of cleaning into your routine no matter what type of cleaning you are doing is a must.

For a list of  trained cleaning professionals to assist you with eliminating the germs and viruses that are potentially plaguing your facility, click here!  Having someone properly trained in all areas of cleaning is a great benefit to your cleaning needs whether medical, commercial, or residential.

 "Why Is Properly Cleaning Healthcare Facilities So Important"

Properly Cleaning Healthcare facilities is crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for patients, staff, and visitors.

Cleanliness in healthcare settings helps prevent the spread of infection and diseases. Hospitals and clinics are places where sick individuals seek treatment, making them vulnerable to acquiring additional illnesses if proper cleaning protocols are not followed. By regular disinfecting surfaces equipment, and high-touch areas, healthcare facilities can reduce the risk of transmitting harmful pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, which can lead to healthcare-associated infections.

In addition to protect patients, thought cleaning also safeguards healthcare workers. Staff members come into contact with various surfaces and materials during their shifts, increasing their exposure to potentially harmful microbes. Proper cleaning practices, including the use of appropriate disinfectants and personal protective equipment, help mitigate this risk and create safer working environment. By prioritizing cleanliness, healthcare facilities demonstrate they commitment to the well- being of both patients and staff, fostering trust and confidence in their services.

Maintaining clean and hygienic environments in healthcare settings contributes to overall efficiency and effectiveness in patient care. Clean facilities promote healing and recovery by reducing the chances of secondary infections or complications. Patients and their families feel more comfortable and reassured knowing that the environment is well-maintained and sanitary. Furthermore, adherence to stringent cleaning standards is essential for meeting regulatory requirements and accreditation standards, ensuring that healthcare facilities uphold the highest quality of care and safety for everyone involved.

Stephany Avalos - So Shiny Janitorial

Janitorial Service Directory

Medical cleaning practices can be very beneficial if they are implemented into other cleaning situations. Germs and viruses have the ability to spread just as fast at residential and commercial facilities. The strict guidelines being practiced during medical cleaning could help to lessen the spread of bacteria in other buildings as well.

 Pushing for a higher standard of cleaning could decrease the number or people getting sick at workplaces, schools, gyms etc. Most medical facilities are required to use chemicals that have the ability to kill dangerous viruses and bacteria. These viruses and bacteria can also be found be residential and commercial spaces therefore require the same attention.

Implementation of medical cleaning practices should begin with education first. People should be given the information on which cleaning techniques and chemicals to use to best mitigate the spread of infection. Most people coming into medical facilities for assistance are contracting infections at work or home which shows you these areas need the same attention as medical facilities. If medical cleaning practices were the standard, the number of people getting sick would decrease.

The corona virus pandemic is proof that cleaning properly is more important than ever. Medical cleaning being the only standard would greatly improve the cleanliness of both residential and commercial facilities. If you are seeking assistance with cleaning services https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices has a listed of professional cleaning companies near you.

          In any environment where there is potential exposure to blood or bodily fluids, such as healthcare facilities, laboratories, or even public spaces, it is crucial for cleaning employees and staff to have a solid understanding of bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that can cause diseases when transmitted through contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids. These pathogens include viruses like HIV and hepatitis B and C. Therefore, comprehensive knowledge about bloodborne pathogens is essential for cleaning personnel to protect themselves, prevent the spread of infections, and ensure the safety of everyone in the vicinity.

    First and foremost, educating cleaning employees and staff about bloodborne pathogens promotes their own safety and well-being. These workers often come into direct contact with potentially contaminated materials, such as used syringes, bandages, or other waste products. By understanding the risks associated with bloodborne pathogens and learning proper infection control measures, cleaning personnel can effectively protect themselves from exposure. They can learn about using personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, masks, and gowns, as well as the correct techniques for handling and disposing of hazardous materials. This knowledge empowers them to take necessary precautions and minimizes the chances of contracting serious infections.

    Secondly, cleaning employees and staff who are knowledgeable about bloodborne pathogens play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infections. Their work involves cleaning and disinfecting various surfaces, equipment, and facilities that may be contaminated. By understanding the modes of transmission and the importance of thorough cleaning, they can effectively eliminate pathogens and reduce the risk of infection for others. Cleaning protocols, such as using appropriate disinfectants and following proper decontamination procedures, become second nature to well-informed employees. Their expertise ensures that potential sources of infections are addressed, creating a safer and healthier environment for everyone.

   Lastly, by being educated about bloodborne pathogens, cleaning employees and staff contribute to the overall safety of the community. Their role extends beyond their immediate workspace, as they are often responsible for maintaining cleanliness in public areas, schools, and other shared facilities. By understanding the risks associated with bloodborne pathogens, they can implement preventive measures that reduce the likelihood of outbreaks or the spread of infectious diseases. Their knowledge enables them to identify potential hazards, report any incidents, and take appropriate actions promptly. This proactive approach to infection control helps protect the health and well-being of the general public.

In conclusion, the importance of cleaning employees and staff knowing about bloodborne pathogens cannot be overstated. Comprehensive knowledge empowers them to protect themselves, prevent the spread of infections, and ensure the safety of everyone in the vicinity. By understanding the risks, using proper precautions, and implementing effective cleaning protocols, these individuals play a vital role in maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Their expertise not only safeguards their own well-being but also contributes to the overall well-being of the community they serve.