Understanding bloodborne pathogens is crucial in the workplace. All accidents that involve anything resembling blood should be treated as such and properly cleaned up.  Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that are present in human blood and may be found in other bodily fluids, such as vomit, feces, saliva and urine. These pathogens cause diseases such as Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, and HIV which may progress into AIDS.  These pathogens can be spread through ingestion or exposed skin containing a cut or lesion.  To clean and prevent further exposure, certain steps should be taken.

The first step is to secure the area so no one else will be exposed. Second, a bloodborne pathogen kit should be obtained and all instructions read.  The kit is filled with items to help protect the person cleaning.  Common kit items include a mask, shovel and scoop, absorbing powder, booties, a biohazard bag, safety goggles, apron, towelettes and germicidal disposal wipes etc.  Proper cleaning steps should be completed and everything disposed into a biohazard bag. This PPE helps protect the cleaner from exposure. 

Knowing this information protects the cleaner and other employees and staff from potentially getting sick or catching a fatal disease.   The last element is proper documentation.  Every business should have instructions on how to handle bloodborne pathogens on site with proper training for all employees.  Management should always be notified and information forms completed when an exposure occurs.  

It is important for individuals in the cleaning industry to be informed and well trained in knowing what bloodborne pathogens are and their threat to one’s livelihood.

Properly cleaning and disposing of bloodborne pathogens ensure an appropriately safe and sterile cleaning environment. There are laws in place to mandate that all need to know parties are properly informed of the adversities of not having proper knowledge about bloodborne pathogens.

OSHA has created a platform to ensure the safety and knowledge for the cleaning industry to adhere to. In doing so individuals receive proper training to protect themselves and others.

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Understanding bloodborne pathogens is essential for every cleaning employee and staff member because it directly impacts health, safety, and professionalism on the job. Bloodborne pathogens, such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, can be transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids. In the cleaning industry, workers frequently handle materials and environments where exposure could occur—restrooms, trash receptacles, or post-incident cleanup sites. Without proper training and awareness, employees risk infection, illness, or even the spread of disease to others, including clients and coworkers. Knowledge of how these pathogens spread helps workers act with caution and confidence in every cleaning situation.

Equally important is understanding and following OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, which provides specific procedures to prevent exposure. Employees must know how to use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly, practice proper hand hygiene, and dispose of sharps or contaminated materials safely. Awareness also includes understanding what to do in the event of exposure—such as immediately reporting the incident, washing the affected area, and seeking medical evaluation. When staff members are trained in these procedures, they help create a workplace culture that prioritizes safety, compliance, and responsibility.

Finally, knowledge of bloodborne pathogens empowers cleaning professionals to protect not just themselves but the clients and communities they serve. A well-trained team demonstrates integrity and care, ensuring every site is not only visibly clean but also sanitized to the highest health standards. By staying educated and following OSHA guidelines, cleaning staff reduce risk, prevent cross-contamination, and uphold the reputation of their company as a trusted and safe cleaning partner. Understanding bloodborne pathogens isn’t just a compliance requirement—it’s a commitment to protecting lives every day.

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It is critical for all staff, including medical cleaning companies to understand the importance, of not just a clean medical/ health care enviroment but a safe one for everyone. Bloodborne pathegons are infected microorganisms that are present in the human blood and can cause diseases, like HIV and HBV. Sometimes the symptoms of these diseases may not appear for many years. With all this in mind it is crucial that preventative steps are taken to minimize the risk of exposure.

Proper training ensures all employees have the knowledge and safety measures to reduce any risks to diseases. By utilizing the Universal Precautions approach, all body fluids, including blood are considered potentially infectious. With that in mind infection control precautions must be taken to minimize the risk of exposure. Using protective practices, employees are all aware that they must use (PPE) personal protective equipment, wash their hands at all times, disfecting equipment and materials used for cleaning, never compress trash, color-cordinating towels, and waste baskets with labels, avoid drinking, smoking, eating or applying lip balm in possible exposure sites, and avoiding any splashes and resusing towels. These practices ensure the safety protocol that OSHA issues as their standard for safety and health.

Beyond the practices and knowledge needed to have when hadnling possible bloodborne pathegeons, there is documentation, vaccination, and training provided to help employees reduce the risk of exposure. All employers are required to have a OSHA EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN at all job sites, which must be updated. OSHA requires documentation from employers when exposures occur, up to 3 years from the exposure. All employees are required to have proper bloodborne pathegon training for their employees who may have occupational exposure and must be vaccinated at no cost to them after the training and within 10 days of any assigment. It is important to not just simply understand what is a bloodborne pathegon, but to have the knowledge to reduce the risk of exposure by protective practices, learned from the proper training. Combining the know-how training with, an exposure control plan and having the ability to reach out to your supervisor will set the standard that OSHA requires and adheres to. Cleaning at a medical facility goes beyond cleanliness, it is a crucial to understanding the risks of bloodborne pathegon exposure, having the training and utilizing the protective practices to take, and having the documentation and control plan to reduce the risk of bloodborne pathegons.

Imagine you're removing trash bags from bins at your cleaning job, press down to compress the bag and "BOOM", you've been stabbed by a contaminated needle and have now been exposed too bloodborne pathogens. 

Realistically, you never know what infectious disease the person you're assisting may unknowingly carry. Its best to always be protected, and that protection starts with how employees assess and reset contaminated areas. It is dire to follow OSHA guidelines to reduce exposure. In the event you are exposed, there are precautions necessary to take.

The first issue with our scenerio is that you pressed down on the trash bag. Its an extremely optional action that can risk exposure. Another issue is that there were needles in trash bins. Contaminated items should be properly disposed of every single time. We are supposed to treat every bodily fluid as if its contaminated, per the "Universal Precaution Approach". That includes using proper PPE, no hand-mouth contact/smoking around contaminated areas, and following all other OSHA guidelines.

Things happen, and sometimes you get exposed. First step; call your supervisor and PCP. Afterwards, watch for symptoms. Some symptoms may include, fatigue, pain, fever, swollen lymph nodes, jaundice, diarrhea, dark urine, light colored stool, constant fever/rash with no apparent cause. Examples of bloodborne pathogens include Hep-B(HBV) and HIV/AIDS. Although that doesn't conclude our list of symptoms or diseases, I'm sure you're now aware of the importance of cleaning employees knowledge of bloodborne pathogens and why following OSHA is simply to protect yourself and others.

The medical cleaning process is essential for healthcare facilities to prevent the spread of germs, bacteria, pathogens, and viruses. Proper cleaning in these environments is crucial, as it directly impacts patient safety by reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and fostering a clean environment that supports patient recovery.

Additionally, maintaining cleanliness is vital for compliance with strict regulations and for ensuring the health of staff. Contaminated surfaces can harbor harmful pathogens that can easily transmit infections between patients and healthcare workers, making effective cleaning critical for infection control. Regular cleaning of workspaces and common areas protects healthcare staff from exposure to infectious agents, thereby promoting their health and well-being.

A clean environment helps reduce the risk of patients contracting infections during their stay, significantly contributing to overall patient safety. Healthcare facilities must also follow stringent cleaning and disinfection standards set by regulatory bodies to maintain accreditation and legal compliance. Finally, a clean and well-maintained healthcare facility reflects professionalism and can enhance patients' perception of the quality of care provided.

Topps Cleaning Service, along with other members of the International Janitorial Cleaning Service Association, has developed a specialized cleaning method tailored to meet the rigorous hygiene and sanitation standards required for hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. This method involves thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting all areas within a medical facility, including waiting rooms, patient rooms, bathrooms, as well as examination and operating rooms. To find a certified medical cleaning company in your area, please click on the link below.

www.ijcsa.org

William Armstead

Managing Partner

Topps Cleaning Service

www.toppscleaningservice.com

There’s many jobs that can potentially expose you to bloodborne pathogens. OSHA sets standards and guidelines for staff and employees to protect themselves and everyone around them from exposure. The virus's you could potentially be infected by are offered in different forms and transmitted in different ways but all lead to the same demise. DEATH.

Following OSHA rules are obligatory/mandatory, NEVER optional. Some OSHA practices include, wearing PPE, no hand to mouth motions around exposure areas, avoiding splashing, proper use of disposal, and using properly labeled bins.

The most known but definitely not the only bloodborne pathogens are HBV and HIV. Blood is not the only fluid that transmits these pathogenic microorganisms. Vomit, urine, and feces coming in contact with your mucus membranes exposes you to these deadly viruses. I now hope you understand the importance of bloodborne pathogen training in the workplace.