Cleaning employees sometimes find blood or sharp objects while doing their work. Blood can contain pathogens that cause serious illness, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Staff need to understand these risks so they can protect themselves and the people around them.

Training helps cleaning staff know what to do when they find a possible hazard. They can use appropriate protective equipment, avoid touching sharp objects directly, and follow the correct procedures for cleaning and disposal. Knowing these steps helps prevent exposure and makes the workplace safer for coworkers and clients.

If an exposure does happen, staff need to know how to respond and report it promptly. Bloodborne pathogen knowledge gives cleaning employees the confidence to work carefully and seek help when needed. It is an important part of providing a safe, professional cleaning service

​At IJCSA, we believe that world-class cleaning begins with an unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service. Delivering great service in the cleaning industry means going far beyond basic sweeping and dusting; it requires active listening, transparent communication, and an authentic focus on putting our clients' needs first. Every member of the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association is trained to treat your property with utmost respect, ensuring customized cleaning solutions, reliability, and prompt attention to detail on every single job. By holding customer satisfaction as our top priority, IJCSA professionals consistently turn everyday cleaning into a seamless, stress-free experience for homeowners and business managers alike.

​When you choose an IJCSA-certified cleaning company, you are partnering with dedicated professionals who truly care about your peace of mind and well-being. Our network of experts undergoes rigorous training to maintain the highest standards of safety, quality, and personalized service across the industry. Whether you require routine office maintenance or specialized residential cleaning, our members are ready to deliver outstanding results tailored to your schedule. Experience the difference of client-first service today by connecting with trusted, highly trained providers in the IJCSA Business Directory at ijcsa.org.

Why Is Properly Cleaning Healthcare Facilities So Important?

Properly cleaning healthcare facilities is an essential part of protecting patients, employees, and visitors. Hospitals, medical offices, and long-term care facilities serve people who may be recovering from surgery, managing an illness, or living with weakened immune systems. These individuals can be especially vulnerable to infections. Consistent healthcare cleaning and environmental disinfection help reduce contamination on surfaces and equipment, limiting opportunities for harmful microorganisms to spread. Because contaminated surfaces can transfer germs to hands and then to other people, cleaning works together with hand hygiene and other infection control practices to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.

Effective hospital cleaning requires special attention to high-touch surfaces, including bed rails, call buttons, door handles, light switches, examination tables, and bathroom fixtures. Cleaning removes dirt and organic material, while disinfection kills or inactivates specific microorganisms. Staff must select EPA-registered disinfectants appropriate for the intended use and follow the label’s instructions for cleaning, dilution, and contact time. Keeping a surface wet for the required contact time allows the disinfectant to work as intended. A consistent cleaning schedule helps ensure that frequently touched surfaces receive the attention necessary to support patient safety.

Proper cleaning also protects the employees who maintain healthcare environments. Housekeeping personnel may encounter blood, contaminated laundry, improperly discarded needles, and other potentially infectious materials. Training in bloodborne pathogens, safe waste handling, and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) helps workers perform their duties safely. Contaminated laundry should be handled minimally and contained where it was used, while sharps require proper disposal in designated containers. Written cleaning and decontamination procedures give employees clear instructions for managing these hazards. Facilities evaluating providers through the IJCSA Janitorial Service Directory should ask how each company prepares its staff for these responsibilities.

Preventing cross-contamination is another important reason to follow established healthcare cleaning procedures. Used gloves, contaminated cloths, and shared equipment can carry microorganisms between patient-care areas. Staff should change gloves appropriately, perform hand hygiene after removing them, and ensure that reusable equipment is cleaned and disinfected before another patient uses it. Terminal cleaning, performed after a patient’s discharge or transfer, prepares the patient-care space through thorough cleaning and disinfection according to facility procedures. Clear responsibilities, staff education, and regular monitoring help make these practices consistent across shifts and departments.

Choosing a cleaning provider deserves careful attention because healthcare facilities have specific operational and infection-prevention needs. Administrators can use the Janitorial Service Directory to identify potential providers and discuss their experience with medical office cleaning, hospital cleaning services, and other healthcare environments. When comparing companies, facilities should verify relevant training, review cleaning procedures, and ask how performance is monitored. The service plan should clearly identify who cleans each area, which products are used, and how special precautions are communicated. Giving environmental services personnel the training, supplies, and support they need makes proper cleaning a dependable part of delivering safe, respectful patient care.

All cleaning and janitorial employees need to understand chemical hazards because they work with cleaning products that can be dangerous if they are not used correctly. Chemicals such as bleach, disinfectants, degreasers, and floor cleaners can cause skin and eye irritation, burns, and breathing problems or other serious injuries. Employees must read and understand, chemical labels before using a product and follow the manufacturers instruction. They should know the proper personal protective equipments, (PPE) such as gloves, safety glasses, or protective clothing that is require required when handling chemicals. Employees must understand that Cleaning chemicals should never be mixed unless the product instructions specifically say it is safe to do so. mixing certain  chemicals, such as bleach with other cleaning products can create dangerous gases and cause serious injury.                                                                      

 Chemical safety training also teaches janitorial employees how to properly store , handle, and dispose of cleaning products . Employees should know where safety data sheets( SDSs) are  located and understand the SDSs provide important information about chemical hazards , safe handling, required PPE, first aid, and what to do in case of spill or exposure. Chemicals should be kept in properly labeled containers and stored  according to workplace procedures. Employees should also know how to respond to spills an accidental exposure and report unsafe conditions to their supervisor. Understanding chemical hazards protects the employee ,Coworkers ,building occupants and the public. By following safety procedures using the correct PPE, reading labels and SDSs ,and handling chemicals properly janitorial employees can help prevent accidents, injuries, and harmful chemical exposure in the workplace.

Admittedly, janitorial work is not the most glamorous work one could do. It probably ranks up there in the realm between plumbing and coal mining. But just like plumbing and coal mining, although it’s a filthy job, somebody’s gotta do it. And like my father used to tell me, ‘if you’re going to do a job you might as well do it right’. So while janitorial work isn't glamorous- it is absolutely essential. 

Whenever I hear the question arise about janitorial work, and the meagerness of it all, I’m reminded of the trash collectors strike, The Great Garbage Strike, that happened in New York in 1968. Union workers, unhappy with wages and work conditions, decided to go on strike. Within days trash in the city was chest high. By the end of the strike, a brief nine days later, there was roughly 100,000 tons of trash overrunning the streets. A public health emergency was called and a resolution with the union workers was reached. 

The point here is that while janitorial work may not be the most thrilling work it is absolutely essential. Janitors and the work they do keep our spaces and environment not just looking and smelling good but they help keep us safe and healthy, which is a huge responsibility. Janitors are responsible in many cases for doing the work others can’t or won’t do. 

Trained professional janitors do so much more than simply take out the trash. Many are responsible for being knowledgeable about bloodborne pathogens and their hazards in the workplace. Janitors must be aware of chemicals, how to use them, avoid certain mixtures, and what actions to take in the case of an emergency. They must be familiar with Safety Data Sheets, customer service, and many other skills. 

The next time you’re out and about look around. Pay attention to the space you’re in. Often we take a clean space for granted. As if that virtually spotless space happened all on its own. We see a dirty space and recognize it for what it is immediately. But with those same eyes we see a clean space and completely ignore what it took, and more importantly, who it took to clean that space. In all likelihood it took a janitor. A janitor doing an often thankless job to make our lives just a little bit better and healthier. 

Janitorial Directory

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.

Cleaning and janitorial employees regularly work with chemicals designed to remove soils, disinfect surfaces, dissolve grease, control odors, and perform other specialized cleaning tasks. While these products are valuable tools, they can also present hazards when used incorrectly. Depending on the chemical, improper use can cause skin or eye irritation, chemical burns, breathing difficulties, poisoning, or other injuries. Some products can also create dangerous reactions when mixed together. Understanding product labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), required personal protective equipment, proper dilution, ventilation, storage, and handling procedures helps employees recognize these hazards before an accident occurs.

Chemical safety also involves understanding that familiarity does not necessarily mean a product is harmless. Cleaning employees may use the same chemicals every day, which can make it easy to become less cautious over time. Using an unlabeled container, mixing products, applying too much chemical, failing to wear appropriate protective equipment, or using a product in a poorly ventilated area can quickly turn a routine cleaning task into a hazardous situation. When cleaning and janitorial employees understand chemical hazards and know how to respond to spills, accidental contact, or exposure, they are better prepared to protect themselves, their coworkers, building occupants, and the properties in which they work.

First in order to understand why it’s important to know about handling bloodborne pathogens, it’s a good idea to understand the potential dangers.  So what exactly are Bloodborne pathogens?  Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms in the human blood that can cause disease in humans. OSHA defines blood to mean human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood. [1]

Now that we know what bloodborne pathogens are, why is it important to have knowledge of handling them? The CDC estimates that 5.6 million workers in the health care industry and related occupations are at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and other diseases. [2]. You and your colleagues are likely included in that number and are working in an industry where exposure and potential risks of infections are very high and possibly life changing. In order to reduce these risk, a significant and comprehensive focus on educating yourself and knowing what it is you may be exposed to and how to prevent injury, infection, and possibly death must take place. 

Not only does knowing about bloodborne pathogens help reduce risk related to exposure, infection, and death, it also helps foster better decision making and efficiency on the job at handling scenarios that arise. This gives employees the confidence needed to handle such task and puts customers at ease in knowing they have hired someone that is properly training and can get the job done correctly. It is not only important for employees and companies to know about blood-borne pathogens it is of upmost urgency and at great consequence that they educate themselves on this topic when working in these types of environments. 

[1] https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/

[2] https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/recognition.html

Looking for a qualified carpet cleaner? Consider your search complete when you select an IJCSA certified carpet cleaner. All IJCSA certified carpet cleaners go through training and testing before receiving certification. They are a part of a network where professionals thrive by sharing best practices and ideas. 

So whether you need rug or carpet shampooing, spot removal, or extraction work you can rely on an IJCSA certified carpet cleaner to get the done and done right!

This link to Carpet Cleaning Directory will provide you IJCSA certified carpet cleaners in your area. 

      Medical cleaning practices offer a useful model for improving residential and commercial cleaning because they emphasize consistent procedures, attention to frequently touched surfaces, and preventing the spread of contamination. Adapting these principles does not mean turning a home, office, or retail store into a hospital or using stronger chemicals everywhere. Instead, it means matching cleaning methods to how a space is used. In a home, priorities might include bathroom fixtures, kitchen counters, and door handles; in a commercial building, they might include shared workstations, elevator buttons, and reception counters. Regular cleaning is the foundation, while disinfection should be added when illness, specific risks, or applicable requirements make it necessary.

One practical approach is to establish a cleaning sequence that limits cross-contamination. Work from cleaner areas toward dirtier areas and from higher surfaces downward, leaving floors until last. Assign separate cloths and tools to bathrooms, kitchens, and general living or working areas; a simple color-coding system can help prevent a restroom cloth from being used on a desk or food-preparation counter. Replace soiled cloths rather than carrying them from room to room, and clean reusable equipment after use. These habits can be built into a household routine or a commercial cleaning checklist, making a systematic approach easier to repeat.

Another important lesson is that effective disinfection depends on correct use, not simply on choosing a product labeled for hospital use. Remove dirt before disinfecting, and select an EPA-registered disinfectant labeled for the intended surface, setting, and relevant germs. Follow all label directions, including dilution, protective equipment, ventilation, and contact time—the period a surface must remain wet for the product to work. Never mix cleaning chemicals, and store them securely away from children and pets. For food-contact surfaces, follow any required rinsing instructions; for electronics and delicate finishes, also follow the manufacturer’s cleaning guidance. In ordinary household situations, regular cleaning is generally sufficient unless someone is sick or additional precautions are needed.

Successful implementation also requires clear responsibilities, training, and routine checks. A household can use a room-by-room schedule, while a commercial operation can document assigned tasks, cleaning frequency, approved products, and completion checks. Adjust these routines for traffic levels, shared equipment, and illness rather than applying the same intensity everywhere. Cleaning techs should be taught to practice hand hygiene, handle supplies safely, and recognize when a situation requires specialized assistance, such as a spill involving blood or discarded needles. The goal is not to promise a sterile environment, but to bring the planning and consistency of medical cleaning into everyday spaces in a practical, proportionate way.