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.
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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.
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.