In 1991 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or simply known as OSHA instituted a standard for facilities handling any type of infectious material. This practice was updated in 2001 and made mandatory for all new employees that have the potential for exposure to blood borne pathogens or potentially infectious material. Employees should be trained within 10 days of hire and then annually. The Bloodborne Pathogen training is mandatory in the healthcare field or any business that deals with infectious materials or where any employee may have a reasonable risk for exposure.

Employees should be trained in the knowledge to be able to safely clean offices or job sites without posing a hazard to themselves. 2 of the most important, but not limited to, microorganisms that employers need to train their employees on are Hepatitis B Virus or HBV and Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV. An open area in the skin is a portal or entry site for the microorganism. Any breaks in the skin should be covered prior to commencing any cleaning activity, so as to close the portal of entry. Employees in healthcare facilities should be offered the Hepatits B vaccine free of charge. The vaccine is a series of 3 shots given at Month 1 Month 3 and Month 6.  Employees that are in charge of cleaning facilities with medical waste should be trained in the proper handling and disposal of infectious waste. Any cut, scrape, stick or puncture should be immediately reported to a Supervisor so that the employee can be checked at a healthcare facility.  

Employees should have access to their company's Exposure Control Plan. 

This training is important for employees as it makes them aware of potential hazards in the work place. This also benefits clients as they know the company that they are hiring is taking care in training their employees and that the cleaning company can also teach the client's employees on the benefits of safe workplace habits.