Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/621102
Risk management Protecting the rink and its patrons by JOHN MONTELEONE, CIRM, CPRP PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BIGSTOCK.COM O n a fairly regular basis, our employees are exposed to bodily fluids in the performance of their normal job duties. That can include everything from cleaning locker rooms and bathrooms, scraping up blood on the ice, emptying the trash bins in player boxes (which always present the risk of vomit presence) and even putting away rental skates. With this risk, employers have an obligation to protect their employees that may be exposed to blood-borne pathogens such as the Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. Providing personal protective equipment (PPE), like single-use gloves for cleaning restrooms, has become common practice in our industry, but occasionally we are still asked about what to do when there's blood on the ice (see Ask STAR, page 50), or how to clean up vomit on the player benches. And while most employees voluntarily "glove up" as part of a common understanding that those jobs can be unpleasant and wearing gloves makes it a bit less distasteful, we still could do our part to reinforce that precaution. We spend considerable time training our employees on how to clean bathrooms and disinfect locker rooms quickly and effectively, but how much time do we spend actually training our employees on the hazards of some of these jobs and the appropriate steps to take? A written plan with basic guidelines for employees and patrons will help decrease their risk of transmitting or being exposed to an infectious disease. J IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF RINK – How to clean up vomit Contact with Bodily Fluids EMPLOYERS HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THEIR EMPLOYEES FROM EXPOSURE TO BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS SUCH AS HEPATITIS B, HEPATITIS C AND HIV. • Wear disposable gloves and other appropriate PPE (eyewear) if necessary. • Replace gloves if they become torn—double layer if necessary. • Don't eat or drink anything while performing cleaning tasks. • Don't rub or touch eyes, nose, or mouth. • Avoid handling of any personal items including cell phones, pens, clipboards, or staff radios. • Wear gloves at all times when handling cleaning equipment like mops, mop buckets, spray bottles, etc. • Remove gloves, making sure to never touch bare skin. • Dispose of gloves appropriately. • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Cleaning Bathrooms and Locker Rooms— Normal Cleaning Keeping Your Employees Safe: 46 / JANUARY.FEBRUARY.2016 RINKMAGAZINE.COM