Help minimize the exposure of bloodborne pathogens to employees and yourself, is an integral part of housekeeping or janitorial services.  Our susceptibility increases depending on the type of cleaning we are doing, and is not limited.  However, maintaining universal precautions can decrease your chances of that exposure and contact.

By placing emphasis on universal precautions with employees you can reduce the likelihood of being exposed to diseases and illnesses such HIV and Hep B.  However, these are not the only types of illnesses that could potential harm an employee.  Unfortunately, there is potential to exposure by open wounds (cuts, scratches) on your hands, or arms as an example.  You can also be open to possible infection through mucus membranes or exposure with open needles.  It is important to wear appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) while cleaning to limit this.  Gloves, face masks, and gowns help limit these exposures and keep employees safe.  Educating employees on the importance of PPE during cleaning can greatly reduce that risk along with proper disposal.  We do not know if another person has these illnesses, but with PPE we can protect ourselves from that potential harm.  Treating each area we clean, as if it had already been exposed to a potentially harmful illness or disease.

Cleaning this way, not only protects yourself, your employee, but also treats the area limiting anyone else's exposure.  This helps contain the spread of illness, infection and disease.