OBJECTIVES:

 elaborate the good qualities and values of employees in

workplace environment;
 explain the meaning and importance of cleaning;
 determine the basic safety concepts and proper usage of
chemicals.
 Strong work
ethics:
Setting and
achieving
goals.

Team-
Dependable:
Oriented:
Consistent
Making the
and
most out of
committed.
collaboration

Self-motivated: Positive
Working attitude:
effectively with Creating a
direction good
environment
As a training tool for employees of environmental services to educate
employees on basic safety concepts and proper usage of brand
chemicals.
The purpose of cleaning is to remove unwanted contaminants from
surfaces.

The methods of cleaning and the chemical products used are more
critical because they often have a dual function of removing soil
and killing harmful pathogens.
In hospitals, some contaminants are disease causing micro-organisms invisible
to the naked eye.

In hospitals, the purpose of cleaning is to protect patients health and prevent

the spread of disease by removing contaminants from surfaces.
Environmental Surfaces

This term designates the surfaces that you will be cleaning in a hospital. This
is a classification system for surfaces that carry a lower risk for disease
transmission.

There are 2 types of Environmental Surfaces:

Housekeeping Surfaces
Equipment*

•Equipment is usually diagnostic

equipment such as x-ray machines, CT
scanners etc.
Housekeeping Surfaces
These are environmental surfaces that require regular cleaning
including floors, walls, tabletops, fixtures, bedrails, etc.

There are two types of housekeeping surfaces you will be charged

with cleaning. Each will have different methods and frequency
of cleaning.
1. HIGH TOUCH Housekeeping Surfaces
2. MINIMAL HAND CONTACT Surfaces
HIGH TOUCH Surfaces
Surfaces that are frequently touched by
patients and staff that require more frequent
cleaning.
Examples:
Doorknobs, bedrails, light switches, wall
areas around toilets in patient rooms,
edges of privacy curtains, etc.

MINIMAL TOUCH Surfaces

These surfaces must also be cleaned but not as frequently.
Examples:
Floors, walls, ceilings
 Bloodborne Pathogens
Special precautions have to be followed
when dealing with materials contaminated with blood or other
bodily fluids.

Blood or other bodily fluids may contain

disease causing micro-organisms (pathogens) that can be
transmitted to others that come in direct contact.
Bloodborne Pathogens Act

The Blood borne pathogens act was

implemented to protect workers from
potentially infectious diseases contracted from contaminated blood
or other bodily fluids.

Examples of Bloodborne pathogens:

Hepatitis B Virus
HIV-1 Virus (AIDS Virus)
Bloodborne Pathogen Safety Precautions

Always assume blood or bodily fluid spills are contaminated.

To clean, first obtain proper personal

protective equipment.

Disposal of cleaning materials such as rags, sponges, paper

toweling, absorbents, should be placed into a red Bio-hazard bag.
Cleaning Up Bodily Fluid Spills

Contaminated work surfaces and/or spills shall

be decontaminated with an appropriate
disinfectant.

Remember:
Always wear personal protective gear
and dispose of cleaning materials properly.
Your supervisor will instruct you on specific
procedures.
Safety – Working with Cleaning Products

Safety Glasses: Safety glasses are usually worn when

using any chemical product that is designated an
IRRITANT or has a NFPA or HMIS rating of 1.

Safety Goggles: Goggles protect the eyes from splashes

of potentially CORROSIVE chemicals. Very few
products, particularly in their diluted form would be
corrosive.

Gloves: Hand protection is usually suggested for use

when cleaning with chemical products. Gloves not only
protect hands from cleaning chemical exposure, they also
prevent contact with soils, contaminants and potentially
harmful bacteria.
 Protecting Patients

Sick people can spread infectious viral and bacterial agents to others, they
are also often more prone to contracting illnesses

The spread of infections within a hospital is usually spread by person to

person contact. Regular hand washing is essential to help prevent the
spread of infection

Infections can also be contracted by objects that are frequently touched by

individuals. For the purposes of cleaning, these surfaces are referred to as
“HIGH TOUCH’ surfaces and special emphasis is given to routine cleaning
of these surfaces.

ALWAYS wash hands before entering a patient room. Not only does this
protect the patients, it also protects YOU!

Wear the appropriate safety equipment that is recommended for use with
each chemical product you may be using.
Slip and fall accidents are among the most common types of injury
accident. It is of special concern in a hospital because ill patients
may lack the balance and coordination of a healthy individual.

Some typical reasons why someone may slip and fall?

•Physical / Mental Condition: The condition of an individual is important.

In health care institutions, this is an obvious concern.
•Footwear: The shoes/socks can influence slip fall accidents.
•Weather Conditions: Rain/snow tracked onto floors can make floors
slippery.
•Maintenance Operations: Floors undergoing maintenance operations such
as stripping, finishing or daily wet cleaning can be slippery when wet.
•Spills / Contamination; Fluid Spills occur on floors that can make floors
slippery. The most common type of spill or contaminant is water and /or
beverages.
•Obstacles in Walking Path: Low profile obstacles can be a tripping hazard.
•Incorrect Maintenance: Using the wrong products on floors can impact slip
resistance.
 What can I do to prevent slip and fall accidents?

When conducting any wet maintenance procedures on floors you

should:
•Post wet floor signs at the beginning and end of the area.
•Restrict access to the area while undergoing maintenance by using
caution tape or other barriers.
•Wait until floors are completely dry before removing signs and
allowing traffic to proceed.
What should I do when a slip or fall occurs?

• Make sure the person is comfortable.

• Do NOT move the person.
• Call healthcare staff for assistance.

After the person is taken care of:

• Make note of any witnesses
• Note the condition of the floor
• What type of footwear was the person wearing.
• Prepare an accident report with the help of
your supervisor.
Working safely is important for your
own protection as well as the
protection of fellow employees,
hospital staff, patients, and visitors.