Key-Points
Protect the Immediate Area
Put on Protective Apparel
Contain the Blood Spill
Prepare a Disinfectant Solution
Disinfect the Surface
Perform Final Cleanup
The Cleaning
Blood spills at work can be unnerving or even frightening to some individuals, but there is no reason for panic. We're here to help you.
Large blood spills should be left up to a professional. Hiring a certified and experienced biohazard cleanup company like Bio Recovery takes all the guessing and stress out of knowing how to perform a thorough cleaning with the proper materials. Having a clean up company that knows what they're doing makes the process smoother and less stressful for all involved.
Below is more information about why proper blood cleanup is necessary and how a biohazard company safely performs a cleanup to neutralize any potential health hazards.
Potential Bloodborne Health Hazards
There are several serious illnesses that can be transmitted through exposure to blood, and proper procedures are necessary to prevent exposed individuals from becoming sick.
These diseases include Hepatitis A, B and C, which are viral infections of the liver. While Hepatitis A is usually fairly self-limiting, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are chronic, incurable conditions linked to other serious liver diseases, including cancer and cirrhosis. A common means of acquiring either Hepatitis B or C is accidental exposure to blood of infected persons.
In addition, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be acquired by making contact with the blood of infected individuals. This virus can progress to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) if left untreated.
Even other illnesses transmitted through different means can cause tremendous problems if not properly cleaned. This is magnified when there is a potential epidemic that needs to be quelled, such as Ebola or Coronavirus cleaning efforts.
In a professional setting you should always assume an area is contaminated, as you cannot afford to risk your health or the public's health by guessing incorrectly. Keep in mind individuals are infected without symptoms or may not even be aware of their conditions.
Steps to Cleaning Up a Blood Spill
Cleaning up a blood spill is NOT straightforward, each step should be executed with thoroughness, care and attention. Below should be read as a guide of what steps you can take to clean up a small 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. For example, stand guard next to a blood spill site to ensure that people don't accidentally step into the blood and spread it with their shoes. Caution signs also work well and can be customized for wet floors, not just blood spills.
Put on Protective Apparel
After people are out of the way and the spill site is secure, PPE should be used to protect you from exposure during cleanup. In a public setting especially, one cannot assume blood is free from pathogens, that is exactly how the transmission of dangerous viruses begin. Appropriate clothing under PPE should be worn. Coats and other clothing that might make accidental contact with the blood should not be worn.
Prepare a Disinfectant Solution
In lieu of using a registered EPA disinfectant, mix a solution of one part laundry bleach with nine parts of water to create a safe disinfectant. If you don't have the equipment to measure precisely, then err on the side of mixing more bleach and less water. As long as the bleach isn't diluted any further than ten percent, the disinfectant should retain enough of its ability to kill pathogens. Regardless, we strongly advise using an EPA registered disinfectant to be absolutely sure.
Perform a Final Cleanup
The disinfecting solution should soak for 20 minutes, then be picked up with the saturated paper towels and placed into the trash bag. Wipe the site down with additional paper towels to dry up any remaining disinfectant. Allow the spill site to air dry before permitting anyone to enter.
All areas need to be closely checked for blood splatters and droplets that may have been missed. Any residual blood should be removed with a paper towel dampened with disinfecting solution and wiped down, then allowed to air dry.
The cleaning process is finished by disposing of PPE and any other used materials in the same trash bag you used earlier. Tie-off the trash bag, then place it into another clean bag for additional protection before placing into the appropriate waste receptacle.
With blood spills it's almost impossible to be completely sure that the spill site is entirely free of any missed blood splatters or droplets. That's why it's always smarter to contact us for blood clean up, we use industry certified tests to help us eradicate all traces of blood.
Call For More Information
Cleaning after a blood spill can be overwhelming, please contact Bio Recovery if you need help. We are highly experienced and trained to assist with you all of your needs.
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