Laundry

Laundry is another potential source of infection, since blood or other fluids can travel from the laundry to a worker's hands or mucous membranes. Contaminated laundry must be handled as little and as gently as possible to prevent contaminants from dislodging and traveling through the air. Laundry that may be contaminated must be put in a bag or container in the area where it was contaminated. It should not be sorted or rinsed before this is done. The laundry's container must then be categorized and color-coded appropriately. Employers in industries where bloodborne pathogen exposure is a risk are responsible for providing these special laundry containers in each room where employees perform their work.

Then, in the event that a worker gets blood or other contaminants on his or her shirt or smock, the worker can immediately deposit the contaminated clothing in the laundry container. If the laundry is wet or could potentially soak or leak through its container, it must be placed and transported in a second container that prevents leakage.

Any employees who come into contact with contaminated laundry must wear gloves and whatever other personal protective equipment may be appropriate, such as safety goggles or surgical masks.

If a company sends laundry offsite for cleaning and processing, that company is responsible for properly labelling the contaminated laundry before it is shipped.

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