Goshen College Chemical Hygiene Office

Handling Blood or Body Fluids

IN CASE YOU ENCOUNTER BLOOD, BODILY FLUIDS, OR UNATTACHED TISSUE, CONSIDER IT TO BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, POTENTIALLY LETHAL.

Many persons these days carry a whole host of infections which are passed through blood, bodily fluids, and tissues. Many pathogens, especially Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, and HIV are passed quite easily by such methods. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TRAINED IN UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN UP SUCH MATERIALS. BE VERY CAUTIOUS WITH AN INJURED PERSON WHERE BLOOD AND/OR BODILY FLUIDS ARE INVOLVED.

All custodians have been trained to properly clean up such materials. Contact one of them, or the Chemical Hygiene Office for assistance. If you must handle such materials, cautiously follow these guidelines:

Wear 2 pairs of rubber latex medical gloves. Inspect for holes and teArs prior to use.
Wear eye protection to prevent splatters.
Don't touch your face or any other part of your body once you have started clean-up procedures.
Soak up all blood/bodily fluids with paper towels and place in a biohazard bag. Any contaminated clothing, equipment, etc. must be discarded in this bag or disinfected as follows.
Small instruments may be autoclaved.
Small objects may be disinfected with a disinfectant approved for use against at least HIV, HBV, and tuberculosis.
Large areas (floors) may be disinfected with a 1:10 mix of bleach to water.
Remove your gloves inside out, being careful not to contaminate your hands. Place gloves in biohazard bag.
Wash you hands for at least 15 seconds under hot water using an disinfectant soap.