Disinfection of biological spillages

Guidance for staff in University student accommodation

March 2011

Safety Services Office

Dealing with blood spills, and items that may be contaminated with blood, in student accommodation – guidance for staff

Wardens and Sub-wardens, cleaning supervisors, housekeepers and porters and cleaners should be made aware of this guidance.

Disinfection of blood spillage

As well as blood, this guidance applies to semen, vaginal secretions, and any body fluid containing visible blood. The main risk is of exposure to blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis B and HIV. It is possible that these viruses could be transmitted by contamination of open wounds and skin lesions such as eczema, or by splashing the mucous membranes of the eye, nose or mouth. Fortunately these viruses can be inactivated using bleach.

Urine, faeces, saliva, sputum, tears, sweat, and vomit are not usually hazardous unless contaminated with blood. If no blood appears to be present, these may be cleaned up in the normal way using Premiere Products Pine Disinfectant or a similar disinfectant cleaning product.

Although it is very unlikely that a worker could become infected by contact with a blood spill from an infected person, the following precautions are advised.

Small spots of blood or small spills

  • Wear rubber gloves and cover cuts, grazes etc. with waterproof dressings.
  • Wipe up with a paper towel soaked in Premiere Products Liquid Bleach, diluted 1 part bleach to 4 parts water.
  • If there is blood on the rubber gloves, wipe off with paper towels soaked in bleach diluted as above. Place all towels in a “clinical waste” bag (yellow.)
  • Rinse the rubber gloves thoroughly, remove and allow to dry. Wash hands thoroughly.
  • Put the “clinical waste” bag in a locked cupboard or other suitable area for safe storage until it can be collected for incineration.

Larger spills other than urine (unless bloodstained)

  • Wear rubber gloves and cover cuts, grazes etc. with waterproof dressings.
  • If a very large spill is involved, wear rubber boots.
  • If it is likely that you might get splashed while cleaning up, wear a disposable plastic apron over a protective overall, and if necessary, eye protection.
  • Cover the spill with paper towels and gently flood the area with Premiere Products Liquid Bleach, diluted 1 part bleach to 4 parts water. Leave for at least two minutes and then clear up the paper towels (soak up excess liquid with more paper towels if necessary.)
  • If there is blood on the rubber gloves, wipe off with paper towels soaked in bleach diluted as above. Place towels into a “clinical waste” bag.
  • Rinse the rubber gloves thoroughly, remove and allow to dry. Wash hands thoroughly. Rubber boots (if worn) may be cleaned with dilute disinfectant.
  • Any bloodstained clothing should be handled with care, and placed in a plastic bag for safe storage and transportation for laundering. Contact the Safety Services Office for advice (0116 252 2426; Biological Safety Officer’s direct line 0116 252 2020.)
  • Wash the area with water and detergent, and allow to dry.
  • Note that if a spillage of urine is treated with bleach, toxic chlorine gas may be produced and you must ventilate the area.

Special situations

  • If there is broken glass, the glass fragments must not be gathered up by hand, either before or after treatment with disinfectant. Bunches of paper towels or newspaper, pieces of card or a plastic dustpan should be used to remove the fragments to a “contaminated sharps” bin. Rubber gloves must be worn.
  • If hypodermic needles, razor blades or any similar sharp objects need to be disposed of, pick them up with forceps or tweezers (never by hand) and transfer to a “contaminated sharps” bin. This applies even if they appear to be clean. Close the sharps bin and keep it in a locked cupboard or other suitable area for safe storage and call the Safety Services Office to arrange for it to be collected for incineration.
  • If blood or body fluids are spilled on carpets or soft furnishings, detergent cleaning should be followed by steam cleaning (carpets), or laundering / dry cleaning and hot pressing (curtains, loose covers etc.) If this is not possible, it may be necessary to incinerate soft furnishings if the spilled blood or body fluid might be infectious.
  • Bloodstained clothing and linen that is to be re-used should be handled with care. Gloves should be worn, and the bloodstained items should be placed in plastic bags for safe storage and transportation for laundering. Contact the Safety Services Office for advice (0116 252 2426; Biological Safety Officer’s direct line 0116 252 2020.)

Items that do not need to be sent for incineration

  • Sanpro waste (sanitary towels, tampons, incontinence pads etc.) should be placed in a sanitary disposal bin or may be placed, well wrapped, in the normal domestic-type waste. Gloves should be worn if staff have to handle them.

Collection of “contaminated sharps” bins and “clinical waste” bags

  • Contact the University Waste Officer (0116 223 1434), who will arrange collection. Ensure that the sharps bins and clinical waste bags are kept locked away until someone comes to collect them.
  • The waste officer can advise on how and where to obtain new sharps bins and clinical waste bags.
  • Under no circumstances must a “contaminated sharps” bin be opened and any items taken out, even if the item should not have been put in there.

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