Safety is the most important thing when it comes to any work environment and cleaning is no different. When your staff has accurate and adequate information about safety protocols, it minimizes the risk of accidents and injuries. It is important that every employer keeps their employees up to date on health and safety guidelines.
One of the most common dangers of the cleaning profession are bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease. We can be exposed to these pathogens in many different ways. Some of these possible exposures include making and unmaking beds, doing laundry, cleaning bathrooms and other areas with bodily fluids, doing dishes, and much more. Laundry can often have items that are hidden and can cut your hands or fingers when you pick it up. It is important to wear protective gloves when doing laundry or handling soiled linens. Another reason to wear gloves is because you never know what fluids may come in contact with your hands.
If you ever think you have come in contact with a bloodborne pathogen, or you incur an injury on the job, always let your supervisor know immediately. If you are bleeding, always remove yourself from your work area to tend to your wound. Employees must always change their gloves and wash hands thoroughly before returning to work after handling any possible exposures. The universal precaution is that every patient is assumed infected to minimize risk.
