For anyone in the healthcare industry, blood is often a fact of the job. It’s also one of the biggest hazards healthcare workers face on a regular basis, since so much can be transmitted through blood. Even if you’re not a healthcare worker, the last thing you want is someone getting sick from a blood spill. Which means that cleanup is
paramount in situations like this. Here, we’re taking a look at blood spills, OSHA guidance, and walking you through what to do in the event of a blood spill. Cleaning up a blood spill involves more than just mopping the area. You have to ensure that cleaners aren’t exposed to bloodborne pathogens, disinfect and decontaminate the area, and safely dispose of
the blood and cleaning materials. To do this, you’ll need some equipment: Think of disposable gloves and gowns as your PPE in this case. All cleaners should wash their hands and put on disposable cleaning gear before attending the spill. There are five basic
steps to cleaning up blood spills: Blood spills OSHA guidelines essentially amount to the same thing: process safety. If you apply good process safety habits, you can prevent many incidents
from occurring. And if those incidents do occur, you need strong process safety to ensure no one gets hurt or sick. If you need more tips to guide your cleanup crew, make sure to check out our blog for more tips, like this post on process safety to mitigate spills. EHS Insight ResourcesSince 2009, the team at EHS Insight have been on a mission to make the world a better place. Join us by subscribing to our Blog and receive updates on what’s new in the world of EHS, our software and other related topics. Featured PostsExplore more workplace safety resources from the EHS Insight Blog. View All Posts NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. WHO Guidelines on Drawing Blood: Best Practices in Phlebotomy. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010. Annex HBlood spillageBlood spillage may occur because a laboratory sample breaks in the phlebotomy area or during transportation, or because there is excessive bleeding during the procedure. In this situation, clean up the spillage and record the incident, using the following procedure.
Copyright © 2010, World Health Organization. All rights reserved. Publications of the World Health Organization can be obtained from WHO Press, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel.: +41 22 791 3264; fax: +41 22 791 4857; e-mail: tni.ohw@sredrokoob). Requests for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications – whether for sale or for noncommercial distribution – should be addressed to WHO Press, at the above address (fax: +41 22 791 4806; e-mail: tni.ohw@snoissimrep). Bookshelf ID: NBK138660 What is the proper way to clean a blood spill?Wipe up the blood or vomit using paper towels or other absorbent material. Put the trash in a plastic garbage bag. Gently pour the bleach solution onto the contaminated surface(s). Leave the bleach solution on the contaminated surface(s) for 20 minutes.
What is the first step in cleaning up a blood spill?The first step when cleaning up a blood spill is to put on the proper safety equipment, including disposable gloves, goggles, boots, and a lab coat. Cover the spill with absorbent towels and spray enough commercial-grade disinfectant so that it soaks through the towels. Wait 10 minutes for the disinfectant to settle.
What are the 5 steps that should be taken to clean up a blood spill?Steps to Cleaning Up a Blood Spill. Protect the Immediate Area. When you become aware of the blood spill, the first step is to clear the immediate area of as many individuals as possible and to isolate the spill. ... . Put on Protective Apparel. ... . Prepare a Disinfectant Solution. ... . Perform a Final Cleanup.. What is the 3 step procedure for cleaning a blood or body fluid spill?Absorbent (paper towels, diatomaceous earth or other solid absorbent). Procedure for Spills on Hard, non-porous surfaces: Cleanup and decontamination is a 3 step process requiring proper personal protection equipment, removal of gross filth (visible material), followed by disinfection of surface.
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