Educating all cleaning staff in the safe handling of any items while cleaning that contain, bodily fluid is imperative. Every company is responsible for the health and well-being of its employees. For example, providing protective material such as gloves and safety googles and encouraging there use is a good first step. The spread of infectious diseases can cause injury, disease and even death in some cases. Therefore, provide these materials and train on the proper use of them.

Wearing protective material can prevent the staff member from coming into contact with infectious diseases like HIV, HBV, and hepatitis. A staff member can come in contact with these bloodborne diseases such as handling and cleaning up bodily fluid, bed sheets that have blood, and handling needles that have been used. Blood borne pathogens travel with in the human blood and can be contracted to another individual if it comes in contact with open wounds or enter the staff member comes in contact by a break in the skin. OSHA has established the standard that any contact with a person bodily fluids like blood, saliva, feces, etc. should be taking very seriously.

The best way to keep employees is safe is to encourage them to follow strict practices when contacting soiled laundry, mopping up bodily fluids, and handling blood. Employees should be encouraged to wash their hands after handling these materials even if gloves have been worn. Lastly, providing a handbook on OSHA standards to each employee and training monthly, is important to maintain the health of your staff.