Paramount to cleaning touch surfaces; knowledge and training about bloodborne pathogens (BBP) and protecting yourself and staff members when coming into contact must be universal and transparent. This article will explain the importance of bloodborne pathogen training and how it effects the quality, health, and safety of those exposed in a cleaning setting.
Several setting will potentially put a cleaning technician in direct contact with bloodborne pathogens such as, blood, vomit, urine, saliva, etc. Most notably, hospitals and healthcare settings will have some of the greatest chances for this to occur. Other settings where exposure to BBP can occur are: schools, residential/commercial/restoration cleaning crews , garbage collectors, to name a few. In order to ensure safety and quality, every staff member and or employee who may come into contact with BBP's must be trained in identifying and properly disposing of and or cleaning materials contaminated with BBP.
Consequently, wearing proper personal protector equipment (PPE) while cleaning or sanitizing is the best way to prevent accidental exposure to these bio-hazards. As each employee is trained in what BBP's are they must also be educated in best practices for cleaning and sanitizing. Equally important are PPE used to reduce exposure, such as: goggles, splash guard/face shields, respirators, gloves--chemical resistant, aprons or suits, and most importantly taking care to avoid needle sticks or punctures, and reporting any accidents to their appropriate supervisor.
As a final step, thorough hand washing, avoiding facial touching, and wearing masks will ensure protection against illnesses and exposure to potentially life threatening toxins. Following these practices will ensure transparency across quality, health, safety of each cleaning staff member, and utilizing best industry cleaning practices.