Infection Control & SafetyQuestion 474 of 484

During a haircut a client bleeds onto the cape and the chair. Under Cal/OSHA §5193 (Bloodborne Pathogens), the proper blood-spill cleanup is to:

a.Don a fresh pair of gloves; cover the spill with absorbent material to contain it; clean the area to remove visible blood; apply an EPA-registered tuberculocidal/hospital-grade disinfectant for the labeled contact time; place all blood-contaminated disposables in a properly labeled biohazard bag; remove gloves and wash hands; document the exposure in the salon's Exposure Control Plan
b.Use household bleach at full strength sprayed across the entire salon floor
c.Wipe the blood with a dry paper towel and continue the service
d.Have the client clean the spill herself because it is her own blood

Explanation

The Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard (§5193) requires every workplace with reasonably anticipated occupational exposure to maintain a written Exposure Control Plan and to follow a defined cleanup procedure for blood and OPIM spills: don gloves, contain and absorb, clean visible blood, disinfect with an EPA-registered tuberculocidal/hospital-grade disinfectant for the labeled contact time, dispose of blood-saturated disposables in a labeled biohazard container, doff gloves, wash hands, and document. Option A skips disinfection. Option C is excessive, off-target, and damages flooring without controlling the spill. Option D is unprofessional and unsafe; the employer is responsible for the cleanup procedure, not the client.

Law Reference: Cal/OSHA §5193

Practice all 484 questions free — no signup required.

Related questions on this topic

Last reviewed: · editorial process

Sen Lin, PrepPass Founder · Verified against California Board of Barbering & Cosmetology Exam · How we review
Report