OSHA Standards for Blood & Body Fluid Cleanup

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Blood and bodily fluids have the potential to spread infectious diseases, like Hepatitis C, to workers who mishandle a spill. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration aims to protect workers by instituting health and safety standards for blood and bodily fluid cleanup.

Personal Protective Equipment

An individual who cleans up blood and bodily fluid spills must wear personal protective equipment. Gloves, lab coats, masks or face shields are all acceptable and appropriate personal protective equipment to wear for exposure to blood and bodily fluids.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

Video of the Day

Housekeeping

Always clean up blood and bodily fluid spills with the appropriate disinfectants and sanitization agents. According to OSHA housekeeping standards, employees must clean all spills immediately to minimize contamination.

Cleaning Equipment

Never pick up broken objects such as glass bottles by hand. OSHA states that employees must use other means -- such as with forceps, tongs and brooms and dustpans -- to pick up all broken glassware.

Advertisement

Disposal

Never throw away broken glassware or sharp substances into general receptacles. Discard these items into sealed, closable, puncture-resistant containers labeled with caution signs.

Advertisement

references