Imagine you're removing trash bags from bins at your cleaning job, press down to compress the bag and "BOOM", you've been stabbed by a contaminated needle and have now been exposed too bloodborne pathogens. 

Realistically, you never know what infectious disease the person you're assisting may unknowingly carry. Its best to always be protected, and that protection starts with how employees assess and reset contaminated areas. It is dire to follow OSHA guidelines to reduce exposure. In the event you are exposed, there are precautions necessary to take.

The first issue with our scenerio is that you pressed down on the trash bag. Its an extremely optional action that can risk exposure. Another issue is that there were needles in trash bins. Contaminated items should be properly disposed of every single time. We are supposed to treat every bodily fluid as if its contaminated, per the "Universal Precaution Approach". That includes using proper PPE, no hand-mouth contact/smoking around contaminated areas, and following all other OSHA guidelines.

Things happen, and sometimes you get exposed. First step; call your supervisor and PCP. Afterwards, watch for symptoms. Some symptoms may include, fatigue, pain, fever, swollen lymph nodes, jaundice, diarrhea, dark urine, light colored stool, constant fever/rash with no apparent cause. Examples of bloodborne pathogens include Hep-B(HBV) and HIV/AIDS. Although that doesn't conclude our list of symptoms or diseases, I'm sure you're now aware of the importance of cleaning employees knowledge of bloodborne pathogens and why following OSHA is simply to protect yourself and others.

If you are searching for a professional, customer service orientated cleaning company for your company, select a janitorial or cleaning service that is a member of the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association.  The IJCSA provides modern training modules for its members along with specific customer service training ensuring their members can provide outstanding customer service for their clients.

By selecting a member of the IJCSA, you will be selecting a company that puts its customers first and provides great customer service.  You can access one of these premier cleaning companies by using this link to the IJCSA directory:  https://www.ijcsa.org/Find-A-Cleaning-Service-Janitorial-Service

One thing I have learned from medical cleaning training is that a lot of what you do in a hospital or doctor's office carries right over into regular house and commercial cleaning. The standards in healthcare are just higher, so once you get used to cleaning that way, you naturally do a better job everywhere else. The biggest habit is focusing on disinfection of high-touch surfaces, not just making a room look clean.

In a regular home or office, the spots that spread the most germs are the same ones we focus on in medical cleaning: door knobs, light switches, faucet handles, toilet handles, phones, keyboards, and remote controls. Wiping those down with an EPA-registered disinfectant and giving the product enough dwell time to actually work makes a real difference during cold and flu season. Most people never think about dwell time, but it is the difference between just smearing germs around and actually killing them.Another practice that carries over is working clean to dirty and top to bottom so you are not spreading contamination, plus color-coding your microfiber cloths so the rag from the bathroom never touches a kitchen counter. Using PPE like gloves, keeping safety data sheets for your products, and never mixing chemicals are all things medical cleaning drills into you, and they keep both the customer and the crew safer in any setting.At the end of the day this is about more than a tidy house. Good cleaning helps protect families, employees, and the whole community from the bacteria, germs, and viruses that spread when surfaces get neglected. Bringing a medical cleaning mindset into everyday residential and commercial work is one of the easiest ways a cleaning company can give real value. If you want a certified company that cleans to that standard, you can look through the IJCSA Janitorial Service Directory here: https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices

All cleaning and janitorial employees need to understand chemical hazards because they work with cleaning products that can be dangerous if they are not used correctly.Chemicals such as bleach, disinfectants, degreasers, and floor cleaners can cause skin and eye irritation, burns, and breathing problems or other serious injuries. Employees must read and understand, chemical labels before using a product and follow the manufacturers instruction. They should know the proper personal protective equipments, (PPE) such as gloves, safety glasses, or protective clothing that is require required when handling chemicals. Employees must understand that Cleaning chemicals should never be mixed unless the product instructions specifically say it is safe to do so. mixing certain  chemicals, such as bleach with other cleaning products can create dangerous gases and cause serious injury.                                                                        Chemical safety training also teaches janitorial employees how to properly store , handle, and dispose of cleaning products . Employees should know where safety data sheets( SDSs) are  located and understand the SDSs provide important information about chemical hazards , safe handling, required PPE, first aid, and what to do in case of spill or exposure. Chemicals should be kept in properly labeled containers and stored  according to workplace procedures.Employees should also know how to respond to spills an accidental exposure and report unsafe conditions to their supervisor. Understanding chemical hazards protects the employee ,Coworkers ,building occupants and the public. By following safety procedures using the correct PPE,  reading labels and SDSs ,and handling chemicals properly janitorial employees can help prevent accidents, injuries, and harmful chemical exposure in the workplace.

It’s very important for cleaning employees and staff to know about bloodborne pathogens because they are at higher risk of coming into contact with blood  while doing their jobs.

The proper treatment and cleaning is of utmost importance to help prevent the spreading of diseases, If the area in not cleaned correctly, there is a risk of the infection spreading.

All staff should be aware of Bloodborne contamination and clean up so it is cleaned, and all affected materials should be disposed of properly. Proper cleanup and disposal prevent will help eliminate the spread of infected pathogens.

Janitors and janitorial staff are among the most undervalued yet essential professionals in our society. While they often work behind the scenes—early in the morning, late at night, or quietly throughout the day—their impact on public health, safety, and productivity is immeasurable. From office buildings and schools to hospitals and shopping centers, commercial cleaning professionals ensure that the spaces we occupy daily are sanitary, safe, and welcoming. Without their dedication, the spread of germs and illness would increase dramatically, workplace morale would suffer, and the overall functionality of our built environment would break down. It's easy to take a clean floor, a sanitized restroom, or a dust-free conference room for granted, but these conditions don't happen by accident—they're the result of skilled janitorial staff performing consistent, detail-oriented commercial cleaning services.

The role of janitorial services extends far beyond simply emptying trash bins or mopping floors. Professional cleaning staff are trained in specialized techniques involving disinfection, floor care, carpet cleaning, window washing, and the proper use of industrial-grade cleaning equipment and chemicals. In commercial and industrial settings, janitorial teams often follow strict protocols to meet health and safety regulations, particularly in environments like medical facilities, food service establishments, and educational institutions where cleanliness directly affects public wellbeing. This level of expertise has become even more critical in a post-pandemic world, where facility sanitation and infection control are top priorities for building owners and occupants alike. Businesses that invest in quality janitorial services not only protect their employees and customers but also extend the lifespan of their property through consistent maintenance.

Beyond health and hygiene, janitorial staff contribute significantly to the psychological and economic wellbeing of a workplace. Studies consistently show that clean, well-maintained environments boost employee productivity, reduce sick days, and create better first impressions for clients and visitors. A cluttered or dirty facility can harm a company's reputation and even violate industry compliance standards. This is why so many businesses rely on professional janitorial and commercial cleaning companies to maintain their facilities rather than handling it in-house. If you're a business owner looking to hire dependable, experienced cleaning professionals, the Janitorial Directory is an excellent resource for connecting with vetted janitorial service providers in your area.

In conclusion, janitors and janitorial staff are the unsung heroes who keep our daily environments functional, healthy, and presentable. Their work supports public health, enhances workplace efficiency, and preserves the value of commercial properties. As the demand for professional cleaning and sanitation services continues to grow, so does the importance of recognizing and supporting the janitorial industry. Whether you're seeking commercial cleaning services for an office, retail space, or industrial facility, exploring a trusted resource like the Janitorial Directory can help you find the right janitorial partner to keep your space clean, safe, and running smoothly.

​At IJCSA, we believe that world-class cleaning begins with an unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service. Delivering great service in the cleaning industry means going far beyond basic sweeping and dusting; it requires active listening, transparent communication, and an authentic focus on putting our clients' needs first. Every member of the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association is trained to treat your property with utmost respect, ensuring customized cleaning solutions, reliability, and prompt attention to detail on every single job. By holding customer satisfaction as our top priority, IJCSA professionals consistently turn everyday cleaning into a seamless, stress-free experience for homeowners and business managers alike.

​When you choose an IJCSA-certified cleaning company, you are partnering with dedicated professionals who truly care about your peace of mind and well-being. Our network of experts undergoes rigorous training to maintain the highest standards of safety, quality, and personalized service across the industry. Whether you require routine office maintenance or specialized residential cleaning, our members are ready to deliver outstanding results tailored to your schedule. Experience the difference of client-first service today by connecting with trusted, highly trained providers in the IJCSA Business Directory at ijcsa.org.

Medical cleaning practices are very strict in the sense that there are rules to follow when it comes to the cleaning. Since medical facilities need to be properly clean to avoid patient getting sick medical cleaning practices can benefit residential and commercial places. The majority of people won’t be familiar with some of the rules and proper methods went dealing with cleaning chemical.

Some of those standards can help other residential and commercial situations in the sense that if they can implement a higher standard of cleaning there would be less people getting sick. There would be a lower number of people calling in sick to work and to school. Medical cleaning practices implementation at home can also help you avoid going to the doctor because of bacteria’s or virus that could have been avoidable if we were to do a deeper cleaning with the right cleaning chemicals. 

A good idea to implement is to have a higher standardard level of cleaning for all types of situations, for homes and work places. By implementing medical cleaning practices across the board we can have a better control when it comes to people getting sick. According to the CDC, cleaning alone effectively reduces the number of microorganisms on contaminated equipment. Now imagine having the knowledge to use the correct chemicals it can really impact us in a good way.

Now, that we are in a pandemic cleaning is crucial and knowing and implementing the high standards of medical cleaning can keep a better control of the spread. For example, knowing that we should clean with color rags that way we are not cross contaminating areas and knowing about how to correctly use chemical that can kill harmful virus and germs. Check out https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServicesto find a certified company that can help you in the process.

First in order to understand why it’s important to know about handling bloodborne pathogens, it’s a good idea to understand the potential dangers.  So what exactly are Bloodborne pathogens?  Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms in the human blood that can cause disease in humans. OSHA defines blood to mean human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood. [1]

Now that we know what bloodborne pathogens are, why is it important to have knowledge of handling them? The CDC estimates that 5.6 million workers in the health care industry and related occupations are at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and other diseases. [2]. You and your colleagues are likely included in that number and are working in an industry where exposure and potential risks of infections are very high and possibly life changing. In order to reduce these risk, a significant and comprehensive focus on educating yourself and knowing what it is you may be exposed to and how to prevent injury, infection, and possibly death must take place. 

Not only does knowing about bloodborne pathogens help reduce risk related to exposure, infection, and death, it also helps foster better decision making and efficiency on the job at handling scenarios that arise. This gives employees the confidence needed to handle such task and puts customers at ease in knowing they have hired someone that is properly training and can get the job done correctly. It is not only important for employees and companies to know about blood-borne pathogens it is of upmost urgency and at great consequence that they educate themselves on this topic when working in these types of environments. 

[1] https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/

[2] https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/recognition.html

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms in the blood that can cause disease in humans. (ex. HBV, CMV, and Zika virus.) usually caused by access to the mucus membrane by touching breaks in the skin or your nose and mouth. That is why you shouldn't eat, drink, smoke or even apply makeup in areas of exposure.

That is why "universal precautions" are very important for health care workers or anyone that works in areas of exposure. Universal precautions is an approach that OSHA follows and recommends other facilities to follow, it means that all blood and other bodily fluids from ALL patients need to be considered potentially infectious and that infection protocols be taken to minimize the risk of exposure.

Finally, always practice good handwashing to prevent unnecessary spread of infection and disease as well as follow disinfecting protocol for equipment. If you have had an exposure you MUST talk to your supervisor for safety protocol and next steps, as well as talking to your primary care physician. You can always gain more knowledge on these subjects on the OSHA website or on the IJCSA website as well.

Published by Madison Coldwell