Safe System of Work

ACTIVITY:

/

Cleaning where risk of bodily fluids exists

LOCATION:

/ Various

HAZARDS:

/ Infectious diseases
PEOPLE AT RISK: / Members of public, employees who come into contact, voids staff, first aid staff
POSSIBLE OUTCOME: / Infection from Hepatitis B or C, HIV
Assessment
Risk Assessment for Cleaning is available from Manager
Risk Assessment for First Aid is available from head office
Equipment
Gloves (Latex / Nitrile)
Plasters
Cleaning Equipment
Prior to Start
Treat all blood, bodily fluids and potentially contaminated materials as being infected with a blood borne virus
DO NOT clean areas where needles / syringes present. These must be removed first by authorised person or contractor. Refer to SSOW for Sharps Disposal
Procedure
.
Your skin is your first line of defence; germs cannot get through unless it is cut or broken.
  1. Cover cuts and scrapes with a waterproof plaster after washing with soapy water and drying the area thoroughly.
  2. If the plaster begins to come away at the edges, remove it, wash and dry the injury, and apply a new plaster.
  3. Wear appropriate PPE as identified in the risk assessment. As an absolute minimum nitrile or latex gloves should be worn when handling potentially contaminated items.

NEVER handle contaminated materials with bare hands.
If your gloves become cut or torn, dispose of them safely, wash hands with soapy water, and put new gloves on.
  1. Apply cleaning agents to area as required

APPLY good personal hygiene; AVOID hand to mouth, eye or nose contact.
  1. When finished, removesingle use disposal gloves, making sure that you do this without touching the ‘dirty’ side with bare skin as shown below:

  1. Wash hands thoroughly, making sure shaded areas on diagram below are not missed:

End of Task
Clear away any cleaning materials
Dispose of any used gloves correctly
Control Measures
PEOPLE
Training and Instruction
Personal Protective Equipment (Latex / Nitrile Gloves)
Vaccination against Hepatitis B and Tetanus / ENVIRONMENT
SSOW
Good lighting / EQUIPMENT
Cleaning materials
Responsible Persons
Trained Persons
Manager
Review
On occurrence of incident / change of legislation
References
Risk Assessments
SSOW Sharps Disposal

REF NO:

/

DATE:

AUTHOR:

/

POSITION:

/

Manager

How can I get help?

Contact your Ellis Whittam Consultant, or our helpline on 0845 2268393. A qualified practitioner is available to advise 24/7.