One topic of concern facing janitorial companies is the risks involved in cleaning blood spills, and how to go about safely cleaning them. While the cleaning of uninfected blood causes no risk of infection, there is no way to know through visual observation whether the blood carries infectious blood borne pathogens. While there have been no cases reported of transmittal of Hepatitis B or HIV through contact with tiled surfaces or carpet, it is wise to err on the side of caution and treat any blood spills as if they were infectious. With regard to carpeting, it should be noted that if the area of contamination is greater than 12 to 18 inches in diameter, or if the pad or flooring beneath is saturated, you should contact properly trained professionals. The affected area may need to be removed and treated as medical waste.
Specific procedures involved in treating and cleaning blood spills should be accomplished only by trained personnel. Don't simply supply your buildings with all the necessary products and equipment and expect a general cleaner to perform the necessary steps. When possible, a trained supervisor should perform this function. Advise your cleaners NOT to attempt to clean blood spills without proper training, but rather inform their supervisor.
Before attempting to clean any blood spills, it is necessary to protect yourself through the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Disposable latex gloves and protective eyewear will provide a barrier between yourself and the spill. Never reuse disposable gloves, and make sure you remove them by pulling them off starting at the wrist. Do not grab them from the finger area. Turn them inside out as you remove them, and then dispose of them in a red plastic bag marked "biohazard" designated for infectious waste. Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Use of disposable coveralls or booties may be necessary when there is a risk of splashing or when walking through the area cannot be avoided.
On hard surfaces, the general procedure involves first spraying or mopping down a certified disinfectant, allowing the solution to sit for the recommended time, wiping or mopping the spill, then repeating a second time. Check manufacturer's recommendations for wait time. Dispose of contaminated towels and materials into a red biohazard bag, clean and disinfect equipment. Then remove your PPE and dispose of as well.
Blood spills on carpeting can be a bigger challenge, as they can be more labor and equipment intensive, and may involve the saturation of materials beyond scope of cleaning for many janitorial services. You may need to seek someone who specializes in this type of cleaning. The basic steps are the same for cleaning tile, although you will need an extractor rather than towels, mops, spray bottles, and buckets.
After putting on your PPE, apply your solution to the affected area and wait the suggested time. Blot the area with paper towels to remove excess fluids, and dispose of properly. Extract the remaining fluid from the carpet to remove excess, and rinse with cool water to remove as much as possible. At this point, totally saturate the stain with your disinfectant, allowing the recommended time. You must be careful to test the product you use for colorfastness, as some disinfectants will discolor the carpet.
Extract carpet, then saturate another time with your ordinary neutral pH extraction cleaner. Wait 5 to 10 minutes, then extract. Rinse several times with fresh water, making sure you are getting as much liquid out of the carpet as possible. If possible, use carpet fans to speed up the drying process. Clean and disinfect your equipment, remove and dispose of your PPE into biohazard bag, and wash your hands.
While cleaning most typical blood stains is not a difficult process, it is vital to perform the proper procedures. Don't rush the process. Allow your disinfectants enough time to work. Wear your PPE. Dispose of infected trash properly. Above all, the safety of your employees and your customers should be your main concern.
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Steve Hanson helps owners of small cleaning companies build a more profitable and successful cleaning business through his online community at TheJanitorialStore.com. Read inspirational cleaning success stories at http://www.cleaning-success.com, and sign up for weekly cleaning tips athttp://www.TheJanitorialStore.com.
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