It is vital that all employees that may come in contact with bloodborne pathogens know and understand the process in which to handle exposure. This will minimize the risk the employee has of obtaining a bloodborne pathogen, such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV, as well as protect any other person who may come in contact.

Having each employee know how a bloodborne pathogen is contracted will help them to navigate situations more carefully. For example, knowing that it is transferred through blood, but also bodily fluids will prepare them to wear the appropriate safety gear, such as gloves or even goggles when cleaning. This applies not only to medical facilities, but anywhere that the public may utilize such as trash cans or public restrooms. You may not realize there was a contaminated needle or bloody paper towel buried in a bathroom trash until it was too late. Taking the proper precautions could save your employees in the event that they do come across something unexpected.

Cleaning up bodily fluids is something that most cleaners, even in areas other than the medical field, will come across at some point. Whether it be a trashcan, feminine product dispenser or the toilet, it is crucial for your employees to know the best practices in cleaning when it comes to encountering bodily fluids. Having the correct disinfectant, waste baskets and clearly labeled bags and safety wear, will ensure they have everything they need to safely clean and dispose of any potentially harmful items.

Properly trained employees will not have to guess how to rectify a situation when they have to face it. It is always better to be over-prepared, than to backtrack and try to learn about something after the fact. Having this training be required and specific instructions readily available, helps them to understand the severity of these illnesses if contracted, and also gives them peace of mind knowing they have the tools to calmly handle issues in an otherwise stressful situation. Giving them the tools needed will leave no time for guessing.