As a cleaning professional, the jobs we do can be as varied as the customers we serve. We may clean an office building one day, then a gym the next. If we aren't cleaning a healthcare facility, it may not come to mind to exercise universal precautions. This is a mistake.

Biohazard risks can be present in any and all settings. In an office, you may find an insulin syringe and needle improperly thrown in the waste bin or bloody tissues from a nosebleed or nasty laceration. Therefore, it's important to understand the risks of biohazardous waste, even if you aren't in a patient care area.

By knowing the risks, and making universal precautions a habit, you can better protect yourself from an accidental exposure.