Safe Work Practices > Blood Cleanup

Date Reviewed: February 21, 2023

Blood, vomit and feces may contain germs that can cause serious infections. If you come across any of these types of biological hazards in the work place, use the following procedures:

•Ensure the work area is safe to enter prior to doing any rescue work or cleanup!

•Wear disposable gloves, protective eye wear, and disposable coveralls.

•If there is any broken glass or sharp objects, carefully remove them and place in a puncture proof container.

•Clean the area with a paper towel to remove most of the fluids. Disinfectants cannot work properly if the surface has blood or other bodily fluids on it.

•Dispose the paper towels soaked with blood, vomit, or feces in a plastic lined garbage bin.

•Care must be taken to avoid splashing or spraying during the clean up process.

•Clean the affected area with soap and water, then disinfect with a 1:10 bleach solution or an appropriate disinfect with proven effectiveness against non-enveloped viruses such as Poliovirus, Norovirus, Rotavirus, Feline Calicivirus. Refer to the manufacturer's label to ensure the disinfectant is left on the contaminated surface for the correct contact time. With bleach, this would mean the surface stays wet for at least 10 minutes.

•Ventilate the room well when using bleach. Make sure it is not mixed with other cleaning agents.

•Wipe the treated area with paper towels soaked in tap water. Allow the area to air dry.

•Discard contaminated paper towels, gloves and other disposable equipment in a plastic lined garbage bin. Immediately tie and place with regular trash. Take care not to contaminate other surfaces during this process. Change gloves if needed.

•Practice hand hygiene, either with soap and water or an alcohol based hand rub of at least 60% concentration, for 15 seconds after gloves are removed. If the hands are visibly soiled, then soap and water should be used over a hand rub.

•If an injury occurs during the cleaning process, such as a skin puncture with a blood contaminated sharp object, seek medical attention immediately. Any occurence that takes place in a workplace should be reported to the OHS representatives.