The first thing that came to my mind was: Is it really important for cleaning staff to know about the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard? The answer is yes—and here’s why. Whenever we clean any space, we have to be prepared to touch things we didn’t expect. Blood can appear anywhere: in an office, a gym, a school, a house, and of course in medical or hospital environments.

Supervisors and employees must understand the risk of contracting a disease if OSHA guidelines are not followed. These standards are designed to protect us from serious illness or even death. Before cleaning, we must wear gloves, handle laundry and other items with caution, and be careful with any liquid or sharp object. We also need to use the proper containers, the right type of gloves, and make sure the next person handling the trash is safe as well.

That’s why cleaning is more than just “making a place look nice.” It is truly an essential service in the world, because cleaning and protection always go hand in hand.