C hapter F our

C lean
E nvironm enta
l Surfaces
 Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to –
 Worn personal protective clothing and equipment during
cleaning procedures
 Remove all dust, dirt and physical debris from work surfaces
 Clean all work surfaces with a neutral detergent and
warm water solution before and after each session or when
visibly soiled
 All work surfaces are dried before and after use
 Personal Protective Clothing and
Equipment During Cleaning Procedures
 Wear gloves while cleaning instruments and equipment.
 If torn or damaged, they should be discarded; otherwise they
should be cleaned and left to dry at the end of the day for use
the following day.
 Even when wearing heavy-duty utility gloves, care should be
taken to prevent needle sticks or cuts when washing sharps.
 Wear protective eyewear (plastic visors, face shields, goggles or
glasses) and a plasti c apron, if available, while cleaning
instruments and equipment to minimize the risk of splashing
contaminated fluids into the eyes and onto the body.
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 If there is risk of splashing waste into the face or eyes,
face shields should also be used.
 PPE can only work if it is intact and undamaged, is fit for the
purpose and is worn correctly
 Make sure the PPE fits you securely.
 If you noti ce any damaged PPE, noti fy your supervisor
immediately
 Be familiar with the type of clothing you are required to wear for
the purpose; for example, should the apron be waterproof
 R em oving Dust, Dirt and
Physic al Debris
 Dust, soil and microbes on surfaces can all
transmit infection. Cleaning removes foreign
material and reduces the numbers of infectious
agents and thus makes transmission of infectious
organisms less likely
Floors
 Vacuum carpets and clean hard fl oors daily.
Sweeping with an ordinary broom releases dust
and bacteria into the air and so is not suitable.
 Wash buckets and mops after use with detergent
and water and store them dry
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Walls and Fittings
 Generally, walls, blinds and curtains need less
attention than floors unless they are in areas
where soiling often happens (particularly if
soiling is with blood or other body fluids).
 They should all be cleaned regularly and when
visibly soiled. Curtains need changing
regularly.
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 Cleaning is the removal of visible soil, organic, and inorganic
contamination from a device or surface, using either the physical
action of scrubbing with a surfactant or detergent and water or
an energy based process with appropriate chemical agents.
 Routine environmental cleaning is required to minimize the
number of microorganisms in the environment.
 Items not in close contact with patients or their immediate
surroundings, e.g., floors, walls, ceiling, sinks and drains, present
a minimal risk to patients and do not usually require disinfection.
 In most cases cleaning with a neutral detergent and warm water
will be sufficient.
 Maintaining a c lean work plac e

The importance of a clean workplace

 The workplace environment influences employees’
productivity, performance and well-being.
 No matter the industry, maintaining a clean workplace
may help keep staff members safe, healthy and
efficient.
 However, busy production schedules and increasing
workloads may cause standards to dip.
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Essential to safety
 When employees work in a messy environment, they
may not notice all hazards, which increases the risk
of an accident.
 According to the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), an occupational hazard is
anything in the workplace that may cause harm.
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 An occupational hazard is commonly caused by neglect on
the part of the employer or a lack of awareness by workers.
 When the office or worksite isn’t clean, it may increase the
chance that a hazard will go unnoticed by a supervisor and
staff members.
 Employers may want to remember to keep the workplace
free of debris and remind workers to put all equipment,
such as personal protective equipment (PPE), in designated
places to prevent an accident.
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 Cleanliness is crucial in healthcare settings
 Controlling the spread of infections or viruses is vitally
important in many different locations and setti ngs –
such as schools, leisure centers and the workplace – but
it is even more crucial for healthcare providers.
 People visiti ng or receiving treatment in these
environments are already vulnerable to the spread of
infection, so making sure that effective cleaning regimes
are in place for waiting rooms, corridors, reception
areas and wards is key.
 A clean and welcoming environment is also important
from an aesthetic point of view, engendering feelings of
well-being and trust in people who may be anxious or
unwell.
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The steps for cleaning are:
 Wear gloves while cleaning instruments and equipment. (Thick
household or utility gloves work well.)
 Wear protective eyewear (plastic visors, face shields, goggles,
or glasses), protective shoes, and a plastic apron, if available,
while cleaning instruments and equipment to minimize the risk
of splashing contaminated fluids into the eyes and onto the
body.
 Using a soft brush or old toothbrush, detergent, and water,
scrub instruments and other items vigorously to completely
remove all blood, other bodily fluids, tissue, and other foreign
matter.
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 Rinse items thoroughly with clean water to remove all
detergent. Any detergent left on the items can reduce
the effectiveness of further chemical processing.
 Allow items to air dry (or dry them with a clean
towel).
 6 Reasons Why a Clean Workplace
Means a Safe Workplace
 A clean workplace means more than just having a
sparkling, fresh building. A clean workplace also
ensures the safety and health of employees and
visitors.
 In 2012 alone, nearly 3 million nonfatal workplace
injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry
employers. Workplace injuries can be prevented by
taking action to ensure a clean, safe work environment.
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Here are six reasons why a clean workplace also means a
safe workplace:
1. Clean, dry floors to prevent slips and falls.
 Maintaining clean, dry fl oors is essenti al for the
prevention of slips and falls in the workplace.
2. Disinfectants prevent the spread of germs and illness,
including the flu.
 Germs can easily spread throughout a workplace,
particularly during flu season—but disinfecting surfaces
and objects stop germs in their tracks.
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[Link] air filtration lowers employee exposure to
hazardous substances.
 Dusts and vapors are hazardous substances that can create
an unsafe environment for employees.
 Building ventilation is one important factor in reducing
airborne transmission of respiratory infecti ons and
maintaining the health and productivity of workers.
4. Clean light fixtures improve lighting efficiency.
 Dirty light fixtures can reduce essential light levels, making it
difficult and unsafe for employees to complete their daily
tasks.
 Clean light fixtures significantly improve lighting efficiency in
the workplace.
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[Link] cleaning products are safer for both your employees
and the environment.
 Not all cleaning products are the same, and some are held to a
higher standard than others. Products with third- party
certifications, such as Green Seal or GREENGUARD, must meet
specific standards and guidelines, which ensures they’re safer for
both people and the environment.
[Link] disposal of waste and recyclable materials keeps work
areas clutter-free.
 Allowing trash to pile up not only produces clutter, but it also
presents a breeding ground for pests that pose a threat to your
work environment.
 Placing “no-touch” wastebaskets in key locations throughout your
facility ensures materials are disposed of and reduces the spread
of germs. Recycling materials using clearly labeled waste
receptacles also makes for a more sustainable environment.
 Cleaning Agents

 All work surfaces must be cleaned correctly both

before and after each session and when visibly soiled.
 There are different procedures depending on the
level of r isk; that is, the probability and the
consequences of contamination.
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Detergents
 When dealing with non-critical areas, detergent and warm
water is all that is needed to clean the work area.
 Typically, detergents with a neutral pH are used. This
means that they are neither alkaline nor acidic. Both
alkaline and acidic substances can damage the skin and
eyes and will also reduce the life of equipment and
furnishings.
 Detergents with a neutral pH are far gentler and they clean
most work areas effectively.
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Sanitizers and disinfectants
 Stronger cleaning products can be used
when appropriate. These vary in strength:
 Low-level disinfectants are effective in killing some bacteria and
viruses; these can be used in most domestic settings.
 Medium-level disinfectants are effective at killing a range of
bacteria and viruses; these should be used if clients have
tuberculosis or where there is a high likelihood that tuberculosis-
causing pathogens are present.
High-level disinfectants are effective in killing all pathogens
except for bacterial spores; these disinfectants should be
used when cleaning medical equipment
THANK
YOU