BODILY FLUID SPILLS POLICY
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Blood and body fluids (e.g. faeces, vomit, saliva, urine, nasal and eye discharge) may contain viruses or bacteria capable of causing disease. It is therefore vital to protect both yourself and others from the risk of cross infection. In order to minimise the risk of transmission of infection both staff and students should practice good personal hygiene and be aware of the procedure for dealing with body spillages.
This document is to be used in conjunction with HSE Public Health Medicine Communicable Disease Group: Management of Infectious Diseases in Schools (October 2014).
There are Body Fluid Disposal Kits available in the Staff Room, the Cleaning Store Room and the Store Room opposite the Staff Room.
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Staff are advised to contact the Principal/Deputy Principal so that she can arrange for cleaning of the area appropriately, but the initial clean-up of the situation should be carried out by the person(s) who is at the scene of the incident:
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Body Fluid Spillage Clean-Up Procedure
In the event of a body fluids (blood, faeces, vomit, saliva, urine, nasal and eye discharge) incident on the school premises or in the grounds, the following procedures should be implemented:
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The immediate area should be cleared of all students and staff not directly involved. Where there are large numbers of students present (assembly time, playground time, dismissal time, etc.) the students should return under supervision to their classrooms.
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Cordon off the area until the clean-up is completed.
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Put on disposable gloves from the nearest First Aid kit.
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Place absorbent paper towel over the affected area and allow the spill to absorb. (available in the Cleaning Store Room)
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Wipe up the spill using the absorbent paper towel and then place in a bin liner or black refuse sack.
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Put more absorbent paper towel over the affected area and then contact the Principal for further help.
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If a biohazard body fluid cleaning up kit is available, then the instructions for use should be followed. If not then the contaminated absorbent paper towels need to be placed in a bin liner, tied up and ideally put in a yellow bin bag or double bagged and put in an outside bin.
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If the spillage has been quite extensive then the area may need to be closed off until the area can be cleaned correctly.
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The area must be cleaned with chlorine releasing disinfectant i.e. Milton (not required for spills of urine) following the manufacturer’s instructions.
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If disinfection is required, always clean first and rinse with water afterwards.
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An appropriate hazard sign must be put by the affected area.
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The area should be ventilated and left to dry.
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All reusable cleaning equipment needs to be appropriately disinfected according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Anyone involved in cleaning up the spillage must wash their hands.
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Please note that:
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The bin liner that has had the soiled paper towels needs to be tied up and ideally placed in the yellow bin or double bagged and put in an outside bin.
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Any article of clothing that has been contaminated with the spill should be wiped cleaned and then put in a black plastic bag and tied up for the parents to take home.
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Any soiled wipes, tissues, plasters, dressings etc. must ideally be disposed of in the clinical waste bin (yellow bag).
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If not available, then the gloves being used need to be taken off inside out so that the soiled item is contained within them. This can be placed in a sanitary waste disposal bin which is regularly emptied.
Signed:
Sr. Mercedes Coen
Chairperson Board of Management
Date:
21st May 2002
This policy was reviewed in October 2014
This policy was reviewed in August 2020
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