Protect Yourself From Bloodborne Pathogens

When blood is spilled, it’s essential that it is cleaned up properly in order to protect those in the area from bloodborne pathogens that can lead to serious health risks. Bloodborne pathogens exist in human blood, and can spread diseases from one human to another when proper precautions aren’t taken to clean up an area after an accident or a crime.

Pathogens spread many diseases, including:

• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• HIV

Stopping the spread of these pathogens to uninfected individuals is a matter of understanding how they work and how to properly clean an area after an infected person’s blood has been shed.

Limit Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

Those who work in specific industries are more likely to be exposed to these pathogens on a regular basis. Some examples of high-risk occupations are:

• First aid personnel
• Nurses
• Housekeeping personnel
• Law enforcement

Employers must have special procedures in place regarding how employees should handle any type of accident in the workplace in order to limit the risks of exposure by those who are unharmed during the incident. Under the direction of the Department of Labor, OSHA has developed specific procedures for employers and employees to follow to ensure compliance with the regulations.

In addition to those who work in these industries, any person that was present at the time of a violent crime or biohazard incident can be exposed to these harmful microorganisms. In order to ensure that pathogens are removed completely from an environment after a crime or a suicide, Aftermath employs specialized cleaning tools and processes to ensure that any hazardous waste is removed from the scene.

For industries where exposure is less common, hiring a professional crime scene cleanup company to see to a situation when it does arise can be a cost-saving measure. Training and proper equipment are expensive, and if a business doesn’t follow the prescribed guidelines established by local and government agencies, they may be at risk of serious fines. Aftermath crime scene cleanup technicians are trained to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to guard themselves against any exposure during cleanup, and take steps to verify that a scene is fully clean and sanitary at the end of each job.

When Should You Worry?

Although bloodborne pathogens can be deadly, there’s no specific way to know if another individual carries them, short of direct communication, which is not always possible. In many cases, the person themselves may be unaware they are a carrier. For this reason, it is always important to be cautious around blood, and ensure that any biohazardous materials are cleaned up thoroughly and efficiently.

Having a plan in place before an incident occurs can save time and money, and help to provide additional reassurance to business owners, employees, and customers. Here at Aftermath, we are committed to providing blood cleanup services with an unparalleled level of respect and compassion. We know these incidents can often be traumatizing and dangerous, and we do all we can to keep others safe from infectious diseases. We are the experts that provide cleanup services with understanding and care.