Anytime you are cleaning up after someone else, wether in their home, car, office, medical facility or anywhere else, you risk possible exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause diseases in humans. It’s very important for employees in the cleaning industry to know how to handle a situation where they could be exposed. It is important that you follow Universal Precautions and assume all blood and bodily fluids are contaminated with Bloodborne Pathogens. 

Bloodborne pathogens can include HBV and HIV. After being exposed it may not appear for several years. HBV is a type of liver disease that inflames the liver. It leads to liver damage and possible liver cancer. Symptoms are; fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice, vomiting, diarrhea, light colored stools, dark urine. HIV, (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), May develop AIDS, (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Symptoms of HIV are; constant fatigue, sore throat, persistent fever, persistent rash of unknown origin, night sweats,persistent swollen glands, mild to severe flu like symptoms. Like HBV, HIV could take several years to appear after exposure. 

You can come in contact with Bloodborne Pathogens when handling laundry, cleaning up blood, vomit or saliva, and emptying trash. It is important that you know that needles could be hidden in laundry or trash cans, so to handle with care and never manually compress trash. Follow proper protective practices when handling  a clean up or exposure. Wear proper PPE, clean and decontaminate with proper disinfectant cleaner. Remove and dispose of gloves and other equipment in properly labeled container. Wash hands immediately after removing gloves and goggles. All equipment used during decontamination needs to be properly disinfected following use. After occupational exposure the Hepatitis B vaccine must be made available at no cost.  Vaccine must be provided after initial bloodborne pathogen training and within 10 days of any assignment that could result in occupational exposure. 

It is very important all employees know about Bloodborne Pathogens so that they know how to handle these situations. It not only is protecting the employee but also protecting anyone else from being exposed.

Being “Green Cleaning Certified (GCC)” could benefit my company by way of encouraging the establishment of well-designed GCC program which would always guide our daily cleaning operational standard and method of carrying out respective cleaning tasks.

Also, if our company has GCC status, the cleaning consumer products to be used will majorly/all be ecologically friendly, less harmful to the cleaning workers, and the facility occupants/customers.

The following streamlined standard operating activities could be put in place for quality services and to make life easy for the workers, while creating opportunities for improvements. Such specific activities may include but not limited to:

• -          Cleaning Method
• -          Recycling and Waste Disposal Methods
• -          Environmental Policy and Procedures
• -          Training Schedule
• -          Health and Safety Plan
• -          Continuous Improvement Plan (Periodic Surveillance Audits)

Also, if our company has GCC status, the cleaning consumer products to be used will majorly/all be ecologically friendly, less harmful to the cleaning workers, and the facility occupants/customers.

A company that has GCC status stand a chance of remaining competitive within the cleaning services sector by getting more jobs/contracts, being trusted, and maintaining globally accepted standard practices by way of safety, environmental sustainability, socially, economically, working with the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), keeping up with the trends by frequent interaction with other professional associations/colleagues, and ensuring that adequate training/re-training programs are in place.

Taking cognizance that the Cleaning Services business is ever evolving, the possession of GCC status from an individual perspective, could help me remain ahead of my competitors that don’t have GCC status, expose me to more business opportunities, make me to be conscious of my working environment and the available consumable materials/products to be used by always ensuring they have Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), ecologically friendly, recyclable, biodegradable, less harmful to human in conjunction with always asking probing questions when working in an occupied facility, in case someone may have allergies.

According to an Environmental Working Group (EWG), it is recognized that the chemicals found in common cleaning products can seriously impact adversely on human lives by causing cancer, asthma, and increased birth defects. However, the positive impact on human health after eliminating toxic products cannot be underestimated.

Retrieved from: https://www.cultivatingcapital.com/green-cleaning/

Being GCC either as company or an individual, will help in preventing workers using chemicals for regular cleaning from being sick, keeping the employees and working environment safe as all applied/used chemicals will be minimally harmful.

IJCSA Green Cleaning Service Directory: https://ijcsa.org/Green-Cleaning-Services

Being Green Cleaning Certified speaks volumes for the company holding the certification. We will first start with our home office by incorporating our new product and service to get familiar with the dos and don'ts of the new cleaning solutions.  We will begin to spread the word to our clients of the new services and products we now provide. And Lastly, offer special discounts to clients who opt into the Green Cleaning Services. 

Being that we are new to the Green Cleaning world, we will first try our new service line in-house. To fully understand how to cleaning solutions interact on surfaces. We also want to take note of the fragrances and non oily residue, which gives more insight to pass along to our clients. 

We would then being to spread the word of our new services to our clients. Informing them of Green Cleaning options. Educating them on the affects of using standard grade cleaning solutions verses green cleaning  solutions. And if the clients is interested in new services a special discount rate will be provided, for a limited time. 

I am so excited to have this certification to implement Mold removal to the list of services we now provide. This is a fantastic service to be able to provide to our detail customers. 

Has your cleaning service become complacent? Do you feel like you aren’t being heard?

The search for a great cleaning service can be a daunting task. What if you end up with a worse service than the previous one? The members of the IJCSA are certified in customer service! They understand that you want to be heard. They understand that you want to be understood and cared for.

Members of the IJCSA listen to their customers  They provide creative solutions to make sure that your needs are met. You’ll never wonder where you stand because your concerns will always be followed up with. Find a member in your area here: https://www.ijcsa.org/Find-A-Cleaning-Service-Janitorial-Service  

     Members at IJCSA are dedicated.  We took the time to get the knowledge to keep ourselves and the ones around us all safe.  When it comes to Mold Cleaning knowledge is power.  Take a look at all the dedicated service members near you at any time https://www.ijcsa.org/Flood-Damage-Restoration-Services.

Mold cleaning can be dangerous if you don't take proper precations.  Let our knowledgeable team guide you to safety.

A business that is dedicated to the use of eco-friendly products and equipment is one that shows social responsibility and sets them apart from the competition.

Finding a green cleaning service for your home or business should ultimately be a priority and one that not only uses green cleaning and janitorial paper products but uses green cleaning equipment as well.

We at EMP Cleaning Group are committed in making a positive impact on the environment as well as considering the health and welfare of those residing in homes or working in an office by not using harsh chemicals that can adversely affect the air quality and pollute the waterways among other things.

To find a green cleaning service provider near you click on the following link: http://www.ijcsa.org/Green-Cleaning-Services

Bloodborne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause certain diseases in humans. Some diseases caused by these pathogens can include, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) a type of liver disease that inflames the liver and leads to liver damage and sometimes liver cancer.

Another bloodborne pathogen is Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which is also associated with aids. Both diseases can show no symptoms for years after infection so, if you feel you may have contacted any of these diseases you should get tested. To avoid diseases such as the ones listed above we must not only educate the staff and employees who may come into contact with these bloodborne pathogens so they have a lowered risk of being infected but so others do as well. Due to these concerns, The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention established the "Universal Precaution". Meaning that blood and certain body fluids from all patients should be considered potentially infectious and that infection control precautions be taken to minimize the risk of exposure.

Some additional protocol to follow would be alternate coloring for or labeling for soiled laundry while using Universal Precaution to let all employees that Universal Precaution is required. All employees must know and follow the Universal precaution because bloodborne pathogens have the potential to shorten and make life a burden and that is the last thing that is wanted.

Janitors are extremely important to our daily lives. For myself, I know that the first thing I notice when entering a business is the cleanliness. 

When sending our children to school we want to know that the school is clean. The cafeteria is clean and sanitized. Bathrooms are cleaned and sanitized. We do not want our schools full of bacteria and germs. 

When using a public restroom we do not want to use a restroom that smells horrible, has over flowing trash, no toilet paper or paper towels. Having a clean building is one of the first things your customers and staff notice. When looking for a good janitor make us your first stop. To find your janitor today click the following link. https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices 

Great customer service is one of the hallmarks of operating a successful cleaning business. The International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association (IJCSA) teaches its members in the IJCSA Business Directory.  to have superior customer service skills. IJCSA members are also taught to meet the needs and expectations of their customers by providing high-quality services in a timely manner and assisting customers through the entire cleaning process.

IJCSA members make customer service a top priority. We are taught to listen, understand, and to care for our customers. We smile, make eye contact, and converse with customers to ensure that they are being heard so we can meet their needs. Members are trained to value customers and to be empathetic to people which makes IJCSA members excellent at customer service. Lastly IJCSA teaches its members to try to create solutions for client’s issues before they occur, which expedites resolutions to potential problems.

From start to finish IJCSA instructs its members on proper cleaning techniques so that great customer service is achieved, and our customers’ needs are met and exceeded. We achieve this by clearly communicating with customers to ensure their satisfaction. Lastly, IJCSA members are taught to follow up with all customers to make sure each customer had a great experience.

Ana Malone
Busy B Cleaning Service LLC