It is extremely important for cleaning employees and staff to be aware of bloodborne pathogens. Employees in that line of work are responsible for keeping not only themselves protected, but the people they work and live with as well. Improper handling of BBP's can easily lead to widespread disease outbreak. 

If OSHA estimates there are 5.6 million workers in occupations that come in contact with BBP's, we cannot afford for them to be uneducated on how to properly deal with disinfection procedures. Many people may have a basic knowledge of disinfectant procedures, but a more in-depth knowledge is crucial for cleaning/healthcare workers. Something as simple as improper glove removal can stop unnecessary spread of disease.

Bloodborne Pathogens training and certification has taken a whole new urgency and is forefront of the news today since the COVID-19 virus came to light to the public and the news media. Ordinary citizens knew nothing to very little of the importance of PPE and how easily contamination occurs in the medical field as well as in other sectors of the economy.

It has been for a long time, been important that employers provide the proper PPE to employees appropriate for their field.  It is also important that employers provide the correct training on bloodborne pathogens as it relates to their work environment. There are several known bloodborne infectious diseases that must be extremely guarded against such as, Hepatitis A, B and C, HIV, Pneumonia, TB, Measles, among others.

The use of Universal Precautions such as the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, standard precautions for the care of all patients, regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status, transmission based precautions for patients with known or suspected to be infected, should be utilized as an approach to infection control to treat all human blood and certain human body fluids as if they are know to be infectious.

Sources:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/hazards/univprec/univ.html

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030#1910.1030(b)

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/recognition.html

Harmful Effects to using Everyday Chemicals.

Many cleaning supplies can irritate the eyes or throat, and cause other health problems, including cancer. Some products release dangerous chemicals, including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCS).  Other harmful ingredients include ammonia and bleach. VOCs and other chemicals released when using cleaning supplies contribute to chronic respiratory problems, allergic reactions and headaches. Studies are underway to assess how these chemicals affect people who have asthma and other respiratory illnesses. 

Watch out for chemicals like:

• Formaldehyde 
• Thiourea
• Ammonia
• Phthalates 

Gases created from this combination can lead to chronic breathing problems. Ozone is a harmful, but invisible gas that worsens asthma and other lung diseases. Particles are also common air pollutants that can worsen asthma and other lung diseases and risk heart attacks and stroke. Both ozone and particles can be life-threatening.

To help prevent harm from household chemicals read all labels on cleaning supplies before you buy them. Choose products that do not contain or have reduced amounts of VOCs, fragrances, irritants and flammable ingredients.

Benefits to Green Cleaning Products 

One of the benefits of green cleaning is that green products won't damage surfaces over time like traditional products can. They are also better for the environment if you are using something that needs to go down the drain. They also have no harmful effects if you accidentally come in contact with them to your skin or eyes. In the long term you are less exposed to toxins which is better for your health.

As a safer cleaning alternative, warm water and soap often will do the trick, especially at home. Baking soda is good for scrubbing. A mix of vinegar and water can clean glass.  When using cleaning or household products, keep the area well ventilated. 

Customer service is what any reputable company needs in order to be successful and to retain clients.  Good customer service specifically in janitorial is imperative to building a brand that is known for superior service.

Also in janitorial great customer service means that buildings are being cleaned and maintained to a satisfactory standard.  Being able to listen to a customers needs and solve problems through active listening is a successful formula for any business.  

Why is it so important to have your carpets professionally cleaned by IJCSA members? Simply because we care about your carpets and rugs as much as you do. We want you to reap the great benefits of having clean carpets because we know that it effects the overall health of your family. Contact us today without delay and allow us to educate and serve you further!

https://www.ijcsa.org/Carpet-Cleaning-Directory

In these times with Covid - 19 looming as well as other infectious diseases rising from population growth , trend of not inoculating children mostly in my opinion is from false publications , although some are medically related , global warming and hygiene . The importance of cleaning a Medical Facility properly is for the health and safety of the patients , staff and general public . If medical facilities are not cleaned properly there is a high risk spread of disease . Following proper cleaning and sanitizing procedures , wearing proper PPE while cleaning disinfecting is also necessary while cleaning medical facilities to help stop the spread of disease  .

There are many dangers in Medical Facility setting ranging from Sharps ( anything that is sharp that can poke or slice ) Bloodborne Pathogens ( HIV HEP-B HEP-C etc ) Possible Airborne Pathogens  etc , soiled contaminants and other dangers cleaning disinfecting and removing soiled contaminants properly keeps patients , staff and the public at lesser risk of contracting disease while visiting staying and working at a Medical Facility .The way to stay protected is Properly  Disinfecting common touch services often on rotation , following Proper cleaning procedure of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces , rooms , bathrooms and floors of patient rooms and common areas with approved medical grade disinfectants and proper disposal of all contaminants in properly designated receptacles helps reduce the spread of disease makes a healthier more protected environment of the medical Facility  https://ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices

Washing hands properly , wearing and disposing PPE properly is the first line of defense  , cleaning / disinfecting with proper procedure and equipment will protect and aid in the process to contain and protect individuals from contracting and spreading disease while properly cleaning Medical Facilities . 

Adopting methods and techniques from medical cleaning practices to implement into residential and commercial is essential and effective. The strict guidelines will assist in pathogen prevention and stop the spread of infectious diseases from the workplace to your homes. 

Some precaution we believe is worthy of cross training consist of blood born pathogens, proper protective equipment, cleaning chemicals. 

Whether you are cleaning for residential or commercial, all fluids and trash should be treated as if it is infectious. This practice will ensure that questionable soil, fluid, debris is cleaned after to the fullest and also minimize risk to employee. 

The required of proper PPE is also a great measure to consider to protect your employee from coming into contact with pathogens and chemical sensitivity. PPE such as gloves, eye protection and respirator may be consider for each specific job. 

Cleaning chemicals should be correct grade and strength whether it is to handle cleaning or disinfecting. Proper contact time as recommended on the bottle label. 

Now that the novel coronavirus has become a major factor in our everyday lives, it is more important than ever that we focus more on disinfecting and sanitizing our home and work spaces. 

Bloodborne pathogens which are pathogenic microorganisms found in human blood, saliva and vomit that can cause diseases such as Hepitius B virus or HBV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV which causes AIDS and the novel Corona Virus which causes Covid-19. Sanitizing and disinfection by cleaning professionals following Universal Precautions guidance from the CDC to assume all body fluids are infectious and proper precautions are taken to reduce risk and exposure.

As a company owner I take full responsibility to of ensuring my staff has proper PPE and knows how to use their protective gear appropriately. I will also ensure they receive recurrent training to ensure they are well versed in OSHA regulations and CDC guidance.  

Are you looking for cleaning services? Not just any cleaning services... are you looking for the best cleaning services? If you answered yes to any of my questions I know the best cleaning company for you. IJCSA is proven to be the top rated cleaning company with the best trained Members. IJCSA Members specialized in putting customers first! 

IJCSA Members so very well trained and are the best when it comes down to their customer service skills. Having great customer service skills is a top priority with IJCSA and that’s why this is the biggest most successful international professional cleaning company yet. 

If you operate a business, maintaining a clean and organised environment is one of the biggest struggles of the job.

While making sure your premises is always clean and tidy requires a bit of effort and forward planning, it can pay itself back several times over.

Here's Why:

Increased productivity

Firstly, maintaining an organised working environment will make it easy for your staff or workers to find the equipment and supplies they need, directly increasing productivity. It will also indirectly boost staff productivity if your staff know you dedicate company time and resources to making sure their working environment is clean, safe, and efficient, they are more likely to take pride in their work.

Comply with Health and Safety regulations

As a business owner, it’s particularly important that you maintain a clean and tidy working environment in order to comply with health and safety legislature. The (HSWA)1974 requires all employers to ensure the health and safety of anyone affected by their work or in employment.

Furthermore, under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must assess workplace risks — including slip and trip risks — and take action to address them wherever necessary.

Lastly, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require the floors of your workplace to be suitable for the type of work that will be performed on it, in good condition, and free of obstructions.

Failing to comply with this health and safety legislation can not only put your employees in danger, but also lead to your business failing a check from a health and safety inspector, which could lead to a serious financial loss.

In short, maintaining a clean and organised environment will lead to increased productivity and higher staff morale, as well as ensure your business complies with all the current health and safety criteria.

Making a Business cleaning plan

The type of work you perform on your business premises will affect how often it needs to be cleaned, but you should perform two kinds of cleaning routines: deep and regular cleaning.

Deep cleaning

Over time, the floor of your business is going to get dirty and your equipment and furniture is going to build up with dust and grime, both of which can seriously affect productivity.

Your business needs to be deeply cleaned before it reaches this point.

When you perform a deep clean, you should set aside several hours to use heavy-duty cleaning equipment and supplies on every surface and piece of equipment on your premises.

If you’ll be enlisting your staff to clean and tidy their own section, you should schedule the deep clean during a slow period if at all possible. If you’re hiring outside help to perform the clean for you, you should schedule them to come in on an evening or weekend so you don’t lose out on productive work hours.

Regular cleaning

In between your scheduled deep cleans, you should also instruct your staff to perform a regular maintenance routine to keep on top of things and extend the amount of time needed before your next intensive clean.

How often this routine should be performed and what it should entail depends on several factors, such as:

What kind of work do you perform at this location? Do you use machines that create a lot of mess, dust, and debris?

How often do your clients and suppliers visit your site? A messy work environment doesn’t reflect well on your business and may have an impact on whether or not they want to continue working with you.

Do you use equipment that requires a sterile environment to perform at its best? If so, your regular cleaning routine will need to be more intensive in order to maintain these levels of cleanliness.

Invest in the right cleaning equipment

If you’re committed to maintaining a clean and healthy work space environment, it’s crucial that you provide your employees with all of the equipment they need to perform their cleaning duties thoroughly and efficiently.