What is the OSHA standard for cleaning up blood?

Author: Jermey Adams  |  Last update: Thursday, May 28, 2026

Contaminated work surfaces shall be decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant after completion of procedures; immediately or as soon as feasible when surfaces are overtly contaminated or after any spill of blood or other potentially infectious materials; and at the end of the work shift if the surface may have ...

What is the proper safety protocol for cleaning up a blood spill?

Small and Large Indoor Spills

Spray the blood contaminated surfaces with a 1-10 solution of bleach and water. Absorb and remove all traces of the spill with paper towels or other acceptable materials (Micro-encapsulation absorbent). Be careful not to contaminate the outside of the spray bottle.

Do I have to clean up blood at work?

You are not suppose to clean up blood spills unless your management who is trained to or maintenance who is trained too. Part of your yearly OSHA refresher courses on ulearn.

Do you have to be trained to clean up blood?

A potential hazard still exists until the entire area is cleaned of blood and body fluids*, and the contaminated cleaning eqipment has been disinfected or disposed of safely. Only designated and trained individuals should clean up blood or body fluids.

Who is responsible for cleaning up blood?

More specifically, according to the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, each employer with employees who may have an occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) is responsible for eliminating or reducing the potential hazard.

Bloodborne Pathogens OSHA Training Video: Essential Safety Guide

What are the OSHA guidelines for cleaning blood?

The cleaning crew will contact blood and body fluids that have been exposed to air, in most cases, for at least 24 hours and will be using hospital-grade disinfection solutions that will kill HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus.

What is responsible for cleaning your blood?

One of the important jobs of the kidneys is to clean the blood. As blood moves through the body, it picks up extra fluid, chemicals and waste. The kidneys separate this material from the blood. It's carried out of the body in urine.

Do you have to be certified to draw blood?

You'll need certification or licensure if you want to work as a phlebotomist in California, Washington, Louisiana, or Nevada. The exact certification rules depend on which of these states you live in.

Can my employer make me clean up bodily fluids?

OSHA requires employers to provide specific training and rules to be followed in order for an employee to be mandated to cleanup blood or any other body fluids. Without these trainings and other requirements it is a violation of OSHA for any employer to force an employee to cleanup any bodily fluids.

Who is allowed to clean up blood in a lab?

Only authorized personnel may perform spill clean up procedures for spills containing Human blood or OPIMs: these include Custodial Supervisors and Lead Workers. Authorized personnel should utilize a spill clean up kit if available.

What are the OSHA rules for sharps disposal?

Employers must make available, closable, puncture resistant, leakproof sharps containers that are appropriately labeled and color-coded. The containers must also have an opening that is large enough to accommodate disposal of the entire blood collection assembly (i.e., blood tube holder and needle).

What is the OSHA standard for bloodborne pathogens?

The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard:

Requires the use of Universal Precautions, an approach to infection control in which workers treat all human blood and certain human body fluids as if they are known to be infectious, to protect against pathogens.

Which of the following does OSHA recommend for the decontamination of a blood spill?

Any work surface which has been contaminated by blood/OPIM will be promptly disinfected using a 1:10 – 1:100 solution of bleach (prepared daily) and/or an EPA/FDA registered sterilant.

How do you clean up blood in the workplace?

Put on disposable gloves. Wipe up the spill as much as possible with paper towel or other absorbent material. Gently pour bleach solution – 1 part bleach to 9 parts water – onto all contaminated areas. Let bleach solution remain on contaminated area for 20 minutes and then wipe up remaining bleach solution.

What are the universal precautions for cleaning up blood?

For universal precautions, protective barriers reduce the risk of exposure to blood, body fluids containing visible blood, and other fluids to which universal precautions apply. Examples of protective barriers include gloves, gowns, masks, and protective eyewear.

When blood is spilled in the workplace, you should?

Wipe the area with water and detergent until it is visibly clean. Saturate the area again with sodium hypochlorite 0.5% (10 000 ppm available chlorine). This is a 1:10 dilution of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite bleach, which should be prepared daily. Rinse off the tongs, brush and pan, under running water and place to dry.

Can I refuse to work in unsanitary conditions?

The California Labor Code (Section 6311) allows you to refuse to perform unsafe work as long as it is hazardous enough that any reasonable person would think his/her health or safety would be in danger by doing the work.

Do you need training to clean bodily fluids?

Body fluids may contain blood-borne viruses or other pathogens, which makes cleaning them hazardous. Any worker dealing with a bodily fluid spill must understand infection risks and how to prevent them. This training course explains how to manage bodily fluid spills safely and efficiently.

Does OSHA require bathrooms?

OSHA requires employers to provide all workers with sanitary and immediately-available toilet facilities (restrooms).

What states require a phlebotomy license?

In the United States, four states require a license to be a phlebotomist: California, Washington, Louisiana, and Nevada. Each state has its own requirements, but generally, you will need to graduate from an approved phlebotomy training program and pass a certification exam.

What is the job called when you draw blood?

Phlebotomy technicians collect blood from patients and prepare the samples for testing. Most work in hospitals and clinics, but some collect blood for donation purposes. Phlebotomy technicians are important members of the health care team and often need to explain the blood-drawing procedure and put patients at ease.

How many attempts can a phlebotomist make when drawing blood?

c. The person drawing blood should not make more than two venipuncture attempts on one patient. After two unsuccessful attempts, notify the nurse or doctor by completing a “Report of Unsuccessful Attempt to Draw” form (Attachment A). The phlebotomist and the patients nurse sign the form.

Is cleaning blood a biohazard?

Perhaps the most readily identifiable biohazard, liquid biohazards mainly include bodily fluids. As most know, blood is a biohazard, as it can contain blood-borne pathogens such as HIV and hepatitis, among other less common infectious diseases.

What is it called when you have your blood cleaned?

Hemodialysis is a treatment to filter wastes and water from your blood, as your kidneys did when they were healthy. Hemodialysis helps control blood pressure and balance important minerals, such as potassium, sodium, and calcium, in your blood.

What is the best drink to clean your blood?

Water aids to maintain the PH of blood, keep up the blood viscosity and clears out the toxins effortlessly. Drinking adequate water helps the kidneys to filter waste from the blood. Make sure that you drink at least 8-10 glasses of water in a day.

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