In the janitorial industry, there will be a time when we will come across to clean facilities that deal with blood and body fluids that are affected. Removing trash that contains used syringes, handling laundry from medical facilities soiled with blood, or simply cleaning up after a sick person is especially important to know how to help eliminate exposure and even the spread of harmful bloodborne pathogens. There needs to be education and training on bloodborne pathogens and set up processes and systems in place to minimize exposure, and in case of contamination to have a plan in place for the isolation and prevention of spreading bloodborne pathogens. Therefore, it is imperative for cleaning techs and staff to know everything about bloodborne pathogen standards to help prevent exposure.

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms in blood and bodily fluids that cause diseases to humans. Bloodborne pathogens are spread through direct contact (blood, bodily fluids), indirect contact (an object e.g. needlestick, that contains blood or body fluid of an infected person), and respiratory droplet transmission (sneeze or cough). Cleaning techs and staff need to be educated and trained on universal precautions and be able to apply that knowledge successfully. This means to have an understanding of bloodborne pathogens (e.g. HIV, HBV), washing hands before and after handling items and objects that deal with blood and bodily fluids, wear always PPE equipment, and practice controls to limit exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Furthermore, cleaning techs and staff must know what to do immediately after they have been exposed to a bloodborne pathogen, and how to handle to promote exposure control. Finally, there must be a post exposure management protocol in place, so immediate confidential medical evaluations can be provided to the effected employee at no cost. Having all these in place helps to prevent bloodborne pathogen exposure.

Bloodborne pathogens are real and harmful. Not knowing what they are, and how to work with them without education and training is sending your staff and cleaning techs to their doom. Therefore, it is imperative for your staff and cleaning techs to pass through a bloodborne pathogen certification to educate your employees for their safety, their clients, and the community. Having an education on bloodborne pathogens will prepare your staff and cleaning techs with the necessary tools and equipment to deal with issues like these and carry out their jobs successfully having a peace of mind knowing that everyone is safe.

In the last year, every human on our planet has become much more aware of the importance of exposure and the utilization of universal precautions. Applications of precaution refer to many contaminates, including bloodborne pathogens.

Bloodborne pathogens are micro organisms found within human blood. All human fluids should always be considered contaminated. Universal precautions such as red or orange trash bags, designated containers for needles, clearly colored or  labeled help to prevent exposure are a small part of  the work which help keep safe environments in places many people frequent. 

Janitorial cleaning services are an  important part of containing bloodborne pathogens. By decontaminating surfaces where micro organisms are probable, removing trash and dirty laundry. Exposure is possible, Should you work around contaminated areas be sure to use tongs, spatulas rubber gloves & safety glasses, use universal precautions to help prevent the spread of HIV,  HBV or HEP B.

WORKING LONG HOURS OR HAVE FAMILY COMING IN FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND YOU ARE BEHIND ON YOUR CLEANING AND TO DO LIST, DON'T STRESS OUT. SCROLL THROUGH IJCSA'S Home Cleaning | Maid Service Directory . 

THIS LINK COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE WHILE YOU COMPLETE YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE. THEY HAVE THE MOST QUALIFIED CLEANING COMPANIES THAT ARE CERTIFIED AND GUARANTEED THROUGH IJCSA PROGRAM.

WE AIM TO PLEASE OUR CLIENTS WITH THE BEST SUPPLIES IN THE BUSINESS, DEDICATED TO THE GRIND OF CLEANING YOUR HOME, OFFICE, KITCHEN OR WHATEVER CLEANING NEEDS YOU MAY HAVE. WHEN YOU THINK PROFESSIONAL THINK OF THE IJCSA TEAM.

During the current Pandemic with COVID-19 in 2020, we as a industry have recognized the importance of a clean work place and preventing the spread of germs and bloodborne pathogens. It is our mission to be the leader in our industry, changing the ways we clean and protect your customers and employees from such risks that could be infectious or be transferred by contact. During a time when infectious diseases and need for a clean environment are at an all time importance, we are your first stop in getting the best service, customer orientated cleaning and janitorial demands takne care of in a fast, efficient and effective manner.

We as a company, want to  not only be the standard in a clean workplace environment, but also through innovation, friendly customer service and a quick response 24/7 be your first source to call on. We have friendly, customer orientated staff that are ready to give you the best in service. We are driven to decrease the chances of illness or injury for our customers and their business. We are experts in our industry and only expect to give the best cleaning experience to your company.  Customer service is our highest priority and we make sure to have a quick response no matter the time time of day, because you are our priority. Please click on the link to find a service near you here. 

Importance of cleaning employees & staff knowing about bloodborne pathogens.

It is very important for employees and staff to know about bloodborne pathogens because it can help them avoid and/or properly handle in potential accidents that may infect them. In some careers the employees are at high risk of contracting bloodborne pathogens. 

It is important for cleaning employees to learn the difference in the bloodborne pathogens and how to reduce the risk or eliminate the hazards of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. 

Without the knowledge of bloodborne pathogens, employees put themselves and others at risk. Like anything in life you want to have proper knowledge of whatever you are involved in. Knowing how to handle encountering this will help you react an properly handle exposure and avoid contacting bloodborne pathogens.

Janitors are important in our everyday lives in so many different ways, they are the ones to open the doors in the morning. Janitors are our first line of defense in security, and health safety, before we get to the work place they have it already set up for us.

They come in and turn on the lights and unlock the doors and set the temperature in the building, and then they make sure each area is cleaned and disinfected for the staff and customers. It is important to stay on top of cleanliness, because germs and disease can grow without proper attention.  

From cleaning the cafeteria and restrooms, to wiping all high point areas such as counters, ledges and door handles . These are areas that are in use on a daily and is handles by many people throughout the day. This is just a brief summary of why janitors are important.

Find Professional Certified Janitorial Services Here

It is important for employees and staff to understand the practice of Bloodborne Pathogen certification and Universal Precautions when dealing with blood or bodily fluids. Universal precautions teaches to assume any human blood or bodily fluids may be affected by BBP (bloodborne pathogens). As such when dealing with a situation that requires clean up and sanitizing of such an area those involved in the cleaning must be aware of the risks and hazards when dealing with this type of waste. 

Some ways to help mitigate the risks are to practice the following guidelines:

1. Hand hygiene - wash hands thoroughly prior to eating, drinking, applying lip balm, or any other activity that may expose you to BBP
2. Use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, eyewear). - PPE used properly can help reduce risk of exposure
3. Respiratory hygiene / cough etiquette. - Cover it, don't spread it.
4. Sharps safety (engineering and work practice controls). - Be very careful when handling hypodermic needles or other objects that may have come in contact with blood or other bodily fluids
5. Safe injection practices (i.e., aseptic technique for parenteral medications).
6. Sterile instruments and devices. - Don't reuse instruments or tools that have come possibly come in contact with BBP
7. Clean and disinfected environmental surfaces. - Keep all areas clean and disinfected to prevent further spread of pathogens
8. Awareness of any open wounds when handling blood or bodily fluids as that is one of the most common ways to transmit an infection 

In the end, we want all our employees and staff to go home safe to their family and friends. To do so it is important to follow OSHA's BBP training to keep co-workers, family, and friends safe. It is the responsibility of all professionals to do their part by following the practices of the OSHA BBP certification program.

It is extremely important for cleaning employees and staff to know about bloodborne pathogens, because you simply can't predict whether people carry a bloodborne pathogen by the way they look or behave. Anyone can be a carrier, and you wouldn’t know it. They might not even know it. Which is why you should treat every situation as though the person is a bloodborne pathogen carrier.

Everyone should protect themselves against bloodborne pathogens exposures, most importantly those who may come in close contact such as cleaning employees and other staff. OSHA requires any person at a company who may come into contact with blood or OPIM as part of their job duties to be trained on bloodborne pathogens exposures at the beginning of their assignment, and to receive refresher training once a year after that. Employers are required to offer these individuals the hepatitis B vaccine series protection, and also to have an “Exposure Control Plan” that outlines the steps to take when blood or OPIM are likely to be present. Even in the safest of settings, anyone can get injured on the job, and it’s human nature to want to come to their aid. So, no matter what your job is, you need to be aware of how hazardous bloodborne pathogens are and know how to protect yourself.

It’s an unfortunate fact that exposure to bloodborne pathogens can happen to anyone, at any time. But there’s no need to turn an accident into a life sentence of worry and illness. Protect yourself. Protect your co-workers. And, protect your family, friends and quality of life. Know and follow the precautions every person should take when there’s a potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens: • Treat all blood and OPIM as if it’s contaminated; • Use proper personal protective equipment; • Learn and heed special labels and signs; • Follow protective work practices; • Take advantage of the hepatitis B vaccine; and • Follow appropriate cleanup, disposal and labeling procedures. The key is: when there’s a potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the workplace, prepare before you act. Your life and the lives of those closest to you, may depend on it.

     Our everyday lives have been effected on a global scale with the COVID 19 PANDEMIC as we are forced to wearing masks and carrying hand sanitizer in order to protect ourselves and others from this worldwide PANDEMIC.  It is for this reason that it is important for us to implement MEDICAL CLEANING PRACTICES in the residential and commercial cleaning because it will highly improve our success in reducing or eliminating the spread of germs or viruses.  

     Implementing Medical Cleaning Practices into residential and commercial cleaning situations is a must because of the high level cleaning standards that are used in Medical Cleaning Facilities.  The benefits are huge by following these high level cleaning standards.  First there will be less employees missing work due to illness which in turn causes them to miss less sick days.  Second Individuals and families will be less infected by germs and viruses.  Third Mankind as a whole will be more protected as spread of germs and viruses are greatly reduced.

     Clearly we can see that Medical Cleaning Practices are a good Standard to use when planning cleaning services for residential and commercial cleaning situations.  Especially in this COVID-19 PANDEMIC, we need to be prepared with every customer engagement that there could have been a COVID-19 exposure.  It is critical that we understand that Medical Cleaning Practices will help us to enter a residential or commercial cleaning project with confidence and with a fighting chance. 

     In Medical Cleaning using Personal Protective Equipment is critical.  With this in mind it is important that we understand what were walking into cause this will determine the level of PPE that we will need.  In turn we need to communicate with the customer when we do a pre-job walk through to understand the current conditions and if there are any additional precautions we will need to take when we clean.   

    For a Certified Medical Cleaning Company in your area go to: http://ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-             JanitorialServices

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that are in human blood and has the potential to cause various disease if exposed. These diseases may include HIV/AIDS, hepatitis b, hepatitis c, malaria, Covid, and syphilis. The CDC reported that approximately 5.6 million healthcare and janitorial service workers are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Therefore, we must maintain gaining knowledge of bloodborne pathogens.

It's important to have knowledge of bloodborne pathogens because when knowledge is applied correctly it reduces the potential of a threat. Continually educating yourself on OSHA guidelines keeps the employer and their employees safe, also eliminates exposure in the workplace. With the training and guidelines of OSHA, it teaches us that we should treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated since there is no way to differentiate between infected fluids and non-infected fluids.

In conclusion, educating ourselves about bloodborne pathogens should remain our priority. Annually educating ourselves and employees on the proper clean up of bodily fluids will continue to ensure workplace safety. Taking the initiative to meet OSHA guidelines will help you and others around you by limiting exposure.