Prevention is the best method when it comes to blood borne disease. This can only be possible if a cleaner knows the risks, how to protect themselves, and ways to prevent the spread of these pathogens. When someone hires a cleaning service it is usually the anticipation that they will be cleaning and disinfecting areas where things have been spilled, people lay in, use the bathroom, wash themselves, and many other areas that we clean to reduce the spread of different microorganisms. It is important that when cleaners are in those areas, they understand the risk that could potentially be there. Bathrooms are where people shave, they could be exposed to drops of blood. Additionally, bed sheets can also have contaminants and there are many other area's that may not be at the front of a cleaners mind during a clean. Knowing the importance of standard precautions and using them in every area there is a possibility of contaminants, helps prevent cleaners from acquiring blood borne diseases.

With exposure risk, comes accidental exposures. This can happen even when standard precautions are being used. This can happen through accidental punctures or cuts, splashes that get in a cleaners eyes or mouth, or any other area where a fluid gets introduced into the body. When these situations occur, the cleaner needs to know how manage that situation. Immediately rinsing the area and if able, cleaning with soap and water reduces the chances of transmitting blood borne diseases.

The most important step that a cleaner can take before even entering the work field is developing a knowledge of blood borne pathogens, how they spread, steps that can be taken to prevent it, and what to do if exposure does happen. All of this knowledge should be acquired before going into the work place. There are vaccines available that a cleaner should receive before starting work. They should know how to use standard precautions, how to dispose of contaminated items, where sharps should go, and what to do if exposed to a contaminant. The best prevention is being prepared.