Intuitively, the exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the average janitorial work space may seem lower than in a typical medical clinic or a hospital. However, it is most important that all cleaning personnel and staff across the board be fully informed about the presence and hazards of bloodborne pathogens in the work place. Information is power. In this case, it is power of the staff to be safe from infection and debilitating decease or even death. It is not just about the productivity of the staff. It is the moral thing to do. They should know about the possible presence of the viruses and the precautions to take to avoid possible infection.

The HIV, HBV, HCV are the common bloodborne viruses that affect humans. The Covid 19, Ibola viruses are equally infectious and lethal and survive only for a short time out the human blood. But that is no consolation; these viruses are deadly materials.

In order to prevent infection in the work place, OSHA developed the following universal precaution: all bodily fluids such as blood, etc., should be treated as if contaminated with these viruses. Proper PPE (gloves, goggles, protective clothing) must be worn to decontaminate an area.

All trash must be handled with extreme care: no pressing down on any trash as there may be sharp objects such as needles, broken glass tubes, that can pierce the skin and cause infection. If someone is injured, the incidence must be reported immediately to the supervisor who will call a medical institution or a doctor. Treatment of the injured will be free to the injure worker.

All cleaning personnel must clearly understand the possible presence of dangerous bloodborne pathogens at the work place. The team must also be taught how to prevent injury or infection with these viruses. A healthy worker is a productive worker. Higher productivity is generally good for business.

Bloodborne pathogens have been apart of human society since the beginning of time, however I believe now more than ever, knowledge and protocol should be emphasized.  With the world becoming exposed to Covid-19, the handling of these life threatening viruses and diseases could be the difference between another pandemic.

Being aware about the dangers of bloodborne pathogens could solve a huge portion of contamination's and accidents.  Many people are simply unaware of the risks and therefore do not understand the dangers.  By informing employees who are high risk, accidents can be avoided and could be the difference between life and death.

Cleaning employees are the unsung heroes! It is important for cleaning employees to understand the risk when dealing with bloodborne pathogens as we are the first line of defense in containing and dealing with potentially life threatening pathogens.  Being well versed in proper clean up and disposal could be the difference between accidentally exposing a family member by improperly disposing of gloves or contaminated work clothes.  

Medical cleaning practices are some of the best in the cleaning field. These practices are responsible for saving countless lives when followed and for killing over 99,000 people a year according to the CDC's 2003 Guidelines for environmental Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities, when not followed. Medical Cleaning is a lot more methodical and time consuming and is not required or necessary for every job. Nevertheless the mixture of these practices can greatly improve the effectiveness of a regular cleaning schedule. 

I personally apply some of these cleaning procedures and practices in to my business alongside many others businesses, some of which can be found at the Janitorial Service Directory Knowing step by step protocols greatly increases my business capabilities in solving cleaning related problems. Some examples include universal precautions and protective practices that are used when encountering anything that has to do with blood. This helps to ensure the safety of my employees and employees working in the building.

Medical practices has also helped my company to better utilize proper sanitizers or disinfectants depending on what the situation calls for. Some examples are using CaviCide surface disinfectant and decontaminate when blood is present and lower level sanitizers when food is present or used in the area. Knowing the exact tool for the job greatly reduces time assessing a situation.

Implementing healthcare standards of cleaning alongside regular cleaning can be extremely beneficial when it comes to the health and well being of the public. Many cleaners without this knowledge may inadvertently cause harm to others from lack of information. Being able to properly incorporate these practices is sure to differentiate one's business from the competition and shows just how much one cares for their customers.

In any given area, there are hundreds of service providers in any given industry or profession. Many of these companies, or competitors, offer similar services, perhaps may be able to offer similar results from a technical standpoint, and may have similar, or even better, pricing. However, the single thing that can make a janitorial company stand out from the rest can be summed up in a single concept: customer service. How one serves their customers or clients is essential in every aspect of the business. From services provided to how we interact with our prospects and the ease of the process for them to go from prospects to customers. From the quality of our services to the relationship we maintain with our customers and vendors. Excellent customer service is paramount to the success of any janitorial service provider.

The companies associated with the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association are committed to serving their customers and clients with world-class customer service. We consider our customers needs and addressing their pain-points rather than simply focusing in on our own agendas or script. Some key points to consider in maintaining excellent customer service may include:

• Be present: this may include how easy a prospect is able to find you or the process in which your current customers are able to communicate with your organization. Practically this may include, having current contact information through a Google listing, answering the phone, developing a simple website with a contact form and promptly replying to emails. Treating your customer with urgency only communicates care and an eagerness to serve.
• Be friendly: even when customers are dissatisfied or if we aren't able to provide the services required by a prospect, we must always maintain our cool and calm by addressing their problems as real issues that you understand. Professionalism and common courtesy can make you stand out from your competitors. Even a simple smile and taking the time to build rapport may break down walls of apprehension and build bridges of trust. 
• Be a student: learn your market, learn their needs, learn the language of that specific industry or corporate structure, be continually learning on ways to serve them and go above and beyond a transactional relationship into provided your customer's with additional and even unexpected value. This can be done by being sure you are joined with an association that prides itself in education and training so that you can offer high-quality services as well as excellent customer service. You can see many other companies who have already done just that by clicking the link here. The IJCSA and its affiliate cleaning companies strive to provide excellent customer service to stand out as the best-in-business to our communities and markets in need of our services.

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms present in human blood that can cause disease.  The bloodborne pathogens that are present in one person's blood can contaminate another person's blood.  Blood that has been spilled on the floor can enter a person's blood through a cut in the skin while a person is cleaning up the spilled blood. 

A person cleaning up spilled blood should always wear PPE, otherwise known as personal protective equipment.  PPE can include, but is not limited to gloves and safety glasses.  After a spill is cleaned up, the area should be disinfected.  Gloves should be disposed of properly after each spill clean up.  The material used to wipe up the blood should be disposed of as well. 

If a cleaning professional gets infected with spilled blood, he or she should notify his or her supervisor immediately and seek professional help.  Diseases caused by bloodborne pathogens can be fatal.      

The importance of this training is to protect our staff  from coming in contact life threatening microorganisms. All bodily fluids should be considered infectious. Universal precautions should be taken at all times. We are exposed to many risk as cleaners when handling and disposing of trash, we clean up many spills and accidents. Hepatitis B can live on a surface for up to seven days. Knowing the proper procedure and steps for handling potentially infectious body fluids and knowing the potential risks to look out for reduces risks and saves lives. knowing your companies bloodborne pathogen policy and exposure control policy greatly reduces the spread of infectious diseases and increases staff safety.

It is important for employees & staff to know about bloodborne pathogens and infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. It will help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. It is also important so that an employee can know what to do if exposed to a bloodborne pathogens.

It is also important so that workers understand the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Employees should have the understanding of Bloodborne pathogens so that they correctly apply the knowledge and reduces the potential of a threat. Also using the proper PPE to perform tasks to protect them from any bodily fluids or exposure. 

Finding and hiring a home cleaning service can seem like a daunting task. Having a stranger in one's home isn't the easiest thing to accept, especially if you don't trust them. Trust takes time to build in a cleaner/client relationship; but there are some ways a client can start with a higher level of trust and confidence in a cleaning service. Hiring a cleaning service that is member of IJCSA is definitely a great start (Home Cleaning | Maid Service Directory.)

These IJCSA cleaning companies have put forth time and effort in being qualified in their field. A client can find comfort in the fact that the company their doing business with is a serious established business. This doesn't fully mean that a person is trustworthy but it a great way to eliminate potential cleaner risks.

These IJCSA cleaners (especially with multiple certifications) have put many hours into mastering their craft and most likely wouldn't risk their name and their business's reputation on being untrustworthy in one's home. I would personally only hire a cleaner that's a member of IJCSA. The dedication these cleaners show is unmatched, especially to some random person who says they can clean. If one's looking for a home cleaning service start a IJCSA member!

As a business owner, I am committed to implementing a green cleaning service hence we named our business Green and Gold Cleaning. We have been implementing different programs that prioritizes the health and well-being of my employees and customers while also minimizing the environmental impact of my business. To better improve on being a green cleaning service, I plan to carefully evaluate the cleaning products and practices currently in use and make informed decisions about alternative, eco-friendly options. I will research and select green cleaning products that are certified by reputable organizations and avoid those that contain toxic chemicals and non-biodegradable ingredients. I will also provide my staff with the necessary training and resources to ensure they are knowledgeable about green cleaning practices and can effectively implement them in their work.

Implementing a green cleaning program offers numerous benefits for my business. First and foremost, it demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and responsibility, which can be an attractive selling point for environmentally conscious customers. It also promotes a healthier and more pleasant work environment for employees and customers, as green cleaning products are less likely to cause respiratory problems or skin irritations. Moreover, green cleaning can reduce overall costs, as many eco-friendly products are more concentrated and longer-lasting than traditional cleaning products. By reducing our environmental impact and protecting our health, a green cleaning program can benefit both my business and the wider community.

It is highly likely that we will come into contact with blood soiled products during the normal course of our duties. From normal everyday accidents that occur. Aside from accidents, there are employees and clients with medical conditions that require the use of needles. All of these situations increase the risk of exposer.

Proper training is the only way to ensure employees in the field are prepared to deal with these hazards and accidents. Proper training reduces the risk of exposure.

Trash should not be manually compressed due to possible hazards from sharp materials. OSHA standards require that all blood-soiled material be disposed of in a red biohazard bad. Sharps should be disposed of in a puncture resistant container.

Shalynn Turner