Cleaning & Decontaminating the Workplace

All equipment and surfaces that are exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials must be cleaned and decontaminated. Contaminated equipment and surfaces must be cleaned and decontaminated immediately or as soon as possible after obvious contamination or a blood or OPIM spill. Equipment and surfaces must also be cleaned and decontaminated at the end of the shift in case they may have become contaminated since the last cleaning. Cleaning and decontamination methods and schedules must be determined by the employer, and should be specific to their location, the type of surface or equipment, the type of contamination, and the tasks being performed in the area.

Any receptacles (such as trash cans or bins) must also be cleaned and decontaminated on a regular schedule. If they have possibly been contaminated since the last cleaning, they must be cleaned and decontaminated again as soon as possible.

Protective coverings such as plastic wrap or wax paper used to cover equipment must be removed and replaced as soon as possible after contamination. In addition, the covers must be replaced at the end of the work shift, in case they could possibly have become contaminated since they were last replaced.

To learn more about Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens visit our Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Online Training web page.