SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
Biohazard Cleanup
Purpose
To provide a guideline for personnel to identify the proper resources needed to mitigate a situation in which
fire department personnel are requested to clean up a spill containing bodily fluids as well as other human
remains.
Objective
To keep the public and responders safe from the potential spread of communicable diseases in the event
that there is a spill of potentially dangerous bodily fluids and other human remains.
Scope
This policy applies to all Cleveland Fire Department personnel.
Responsibility
It shall be the responsibility of each member to comply with these policies. It shall be the responsibility of
each Officer to see that each member under their command complies with these policies.
Policy
The Cleveland Fire Department may be requested from time to time to clean up an area that has been
contaminated by bodily fluids (particularly blood) and other human remains from trauma scenes. The
Cleveland Fire Department shall respond to these types of incidents and determine the proper action needed
in order to mitigate the situation. Spills shall be categorized into two different types of spills; small and
large. Small spills shall be considered as anything fewer than 18 inches in diameter and 8 oz in volume,
capable of being cleaned up by one person.
Small Spills
A small spill shall be removed in accordance with the Cleveland Fire Department’s Blood Borne Pathogen
program.
1. All personnel involved in the actual “hands on” portion of the clean up shall wear proper PPE
(gloves, gown, and eye protection). Turn-out gear is not considered proper protection for
infectious diseases.
2. Equipment shall consist of an applicator such as a garden type sprayer, red bucket, biohazard bags
as well as bleach.
3. This will be a non-emergency response and equipment retrieval shall be coordinated by the Officer
in Charge. (OIC)
4. The universally practiced mixture of a 1 to 10 bleach to water ratio shall be used and the proper
amounts according to the size of the garden sprayer shall be noted on the garden container.
5. Spray the area with the provided disinfectant.
6. Wait 20 minutes then spread oil dry to spill area.
7. Remove oil dry and double bag contents.
8. Re-apply bleach mixture and let dry.
9. Any excess disinfected material can be sprayed off with a fire hose or other water source.
10. Contact Medical examiner for disposal.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 144
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley