Accidents involving blood pose serious health risks. Improper blood cleanup can result in serious consequences to you and those around you. Whether you work for at a school and are asked to clean up after a bloody nose or if you are an EMT volunteer who is faced with cleaning and bandaging an open wound, you must take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens. A part of that is knowing how to properly clean up blood and what products to use in the cleanup process.
What Can I Use to Cleanup Blood?
Blood spills may require specialized equipment depending on the location and size of the spill, but most can be cleaned safely using the equipment recommended in Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen Cleanup Kit.
- Disposable gloves
- Disinfecting towelettes
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Biohazard bag with zip tie
- Protective cap
- Eye protection
- Protective gown
- Mask
- Registered disinfectant product with a broad spectrum kill claim
- Biohazard labels
- Leak-proof sharps containers
- Brush and dustpan or tongs/forceps
Large blood spills (not your average nose bleed) should be remediated by a professional biohazard cleanup company, such as in situations of homicide, suicide or unattended death.
Proper blood cleanup often also involves specialized disposal procedures. Placing soiled items in doubled disposable red bags with “Biohazard” clearly marked, and giving them to a licensed infectious waste removal company, are two ways to protect the area and people from bloodborne pathogens. You can throw out a bloody tissue without a problem; however, a large blood cleanup project will require specialized disposal to prevent health-related risks.
3 Things to Know When Asked to Cleanup Blood:
- Always assume the blood is infected and contagious (HIV, Hepatitis B or C, etc.).
- Wear the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) for the blood cleanup.
- Possess the right equipment for cleaning up blood properly and know how to safely use it.
Bio-One Can Help – 24/7/365
Contact us 24/7 at 919.800.9372 for professional blood cleaning and biohazard services. We are locally owned and you will speak directly to the owner. We can help keep your loved ones safe, and avoid any lasting problems associated with cleaning up blood.
