topic Re: Exposure at work in Community Chat

Exposure at work

hyacinth003 — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:31:18 GMT

My daughter is a part-time, minimum wage, employee at a fast food restaurant.

One night last week, she was told to clean up the men's washroom from a blood mess.

Speculation was possibly a bloody nose from someone.

As an RN, I asked her what precautions they provided for her. She said they called the manager, and were told she should double glove and use hot water and bleach for the blood.

I was upset and told her after than as an RN, I would not clean up a blood mess with just that. I told her she needed eye protection (even her own sunglasses would be better than nothing) and a disposable cover for her work clothing besides gloves.

She casually said to the supervisory person that night that she felt not completely protected. She was told that since the blood was dry that that's all she needed.

I am upset with this, and have tried to look it up. The regs I find mostly cover laboratory situations. She has begged me not to "make trouble" or they will fire her.

I think they should provide a biohazard kit, as they do all the cleaning in the facility, and why wouldn't it happen again?

Anyone have any knowledge of this?

Hyacinth

Re: Exposure at work

RedTop — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:34:37 GMT

I would check with the local health department, and see how they would have addressed this situation from a restaurant health standard. I agree the restaurant manager should have handled this differently, and staff should be trained on how to handle blood situations in the restaurant.

Re: Exposure at work

serenity4ever — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:35:25 GMT

Hyacinth, was cleaning the restroom part of the description of her duties at her job? I am so sorry you have this worry. I would check with her physician and ask whether she was put in any kind of danger...

Re: Exposure at work

Irshgrl31201 — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:38:35 GMT

OSHA has rules and regulations on how bloodborne pathogens are supposed to be cleaned up. I was at Target one day and a little girl got a nosebleed. Employees with special equipment and special training came out to clean it up.

Re: Exposure at work

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:40:50 GMT

On 4/29/2014 RedTop said:
I would check with the local health department, and see how they would have addressed this situation from a restaurant health standard. I agree the restaurant manager should have handled this differently, and staff should be trained on how to handle blood situations in the restaurant.

Excellent advice that should ease the OP's worries.

Re: Exposure at work

tansy — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:42:33 GMT

I would probably report the incident, hyacinth, to the local health department. Your daughter's been there for a while now. I hope she's looking for another job.

Re: Exposure at work

hyacinth003 — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 22:56:25 GMT

I believe her employer has violated OSHA regulations.

The problem is what, if anything, to do. She's an adult and I don't want to interfere if it's not appropriate.

Also, a complaint may bring retribution to her.

But it makes me crazy to know she's being exposed to something like that. Since they do all the cleaning in the restaurant, it or something similar can happen again. I know I can't put her in a bubble, but protection and training are available.

I have educated her, but she needs the safety equipment too.

Hyacinth

Re: Exposure at work

Irshgrl31201 — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 23:18:27 GMT

OP, I don't know what state you work in but just google OSHA Guide to Restaurant Safety. Every state should have one. I haven't worked in a restaurant in a while but we always had guidelines, safety equipment and OSHA approved cleaning supplies we had to use in case of bodily fluids. I worked in a bar and occasionally someone would throw up in the bathroom and we had strict guidelines we had to follow from contaminating ourselves or others.

OSHA determines these rules and the rules aren't a suggestion to the restaurant but guidelines to be followed.

Re: Exposure at work

hyacinth003 — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 23:24:37 GMT

As a RN, I know what I'm getting in to.

Other people like this aren't expected to know and should have themselves protected by those who do.

I suppose there are hazards most everywhere when you think about it!!

Hyacinth

Re: Exposure at work

Hoovermom — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 23:27:48 GMT

Could you report this anonymously and maybe they would do a health check without revealing what happened to your DD?

Re: Exposure at work

------ — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 23:41:30 GMT

Did she wear protective covers over her shoes? There is a certain way to dispose of the cleaning materials. I don't remember exactly but I think it has to be double bagged. Accidents happen all of the time in restaurants. I worked in a restaurant where fresh bread was served. I was cutting a loaf and accidentally sliced my finger open and needed several stitches. My manager did the clean up. When my brother worked at McDonalds one of the kids burned himself on hot oil. They have a set of rules to follow when an injury happens. His manager handled everything.

Her manager should have taken care of it and not handed the responsibility off to your daughter.

Re: Exposure at work

Kachina624 — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 23:44:30 GMT

On 4/29/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
OSHA has rules and regulations on how bloodborne pathogens are supposed to be cleaned up. I was at Target one day and a little girl got a nosebleed. Employees with special equipment and special training came out to clean it up.

You need to contact OSHA, the Occupational Health & Safety Administration.

Re: Exposure at work

bathina — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 00:15:21 GMT

If it were me, I'd let my daughter handle it. She's a 26 year old woman and shouldn't have her mother interfere with issues involving her employment.'

I would suggest she get the written policy from the manager and if the situation arises again, she will know exactly what is expected of her and exactly what precautions she needs to take.

Re: Exposure at work

missy1 — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 00:16:35 GMT

She might not have as job, if you handle it.

Re: Exposure at work

hyacinth003 — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 01:08:42 GMT

On 4/29/2014 ------ said:
Did she wear protective covers over her shoes? There is a certain way to dispose of the cleaning materials. I don't remember exactly but I think it has to be double bagged. Accidents happen all of the time in restaurants. I worked in a restaurant where fresh bread was served. I was cutting a loaf and accidentally sliced my finger open and needed several stitches. My manager did the clean up. When my brother worked at McDonalds one of the kids burned himself on hot oil. They have a set of rules to follow when an injury happens. His manager handled everything.

Her manager should have taken care of it and not handed the responsibility off to your daughter.

No, that's the problem. They had nothing in place to deal with it.

Remember to protect your eyes from splashes from something hazardous. Even your own glasses or sunglasses will be better than nothing.

Hyacinth

Re: Exposure at work

scotttie — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 01:20:39 GMT

I agree with reporting them to OSHA. Try to do it anonymously but if they won't let you do that, give your name and ask that they keep it a secret so your daughter doesn't lose her job. If she does lose her job over reporting them to OSHA I guess that is the price to be paid for the safety of everyone who works there.

Re: Exposure at work

NoelSeven — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 02:05:24 GMT

I'd be really worried also. You have to make a decision as to whether you're willing to risk her job, but most states have protection laws for whistleblowers.

My worry also is that if they made her do it once, they'll do it again.

I'd make a stink about it, but higher up than the store manager. Go to corporate and make sure they respond.

Re: Exposure at work

Irshgrl31201 — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 02:18:55 GMT

I could be totally wrong but doesn't the OP have a daughter with learning disabilities of some sort? Again, I apologize if I am mistaken or got that wrong in some way. If that is the case though, I think no matter her daughters age she needs to be proactive in protecting her in case maybe her own daughter can't protect herself. This is a serious matter and really needs to be addressed. I agree, don't bother with the store manager, go to the GM at corporate. They definitely don't want "bloodborne pathogens not properly cleaned" in any news story.

Re: Exposure at work

gazelle77 — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 02:33:48 GMT

Minimum wage, part time? I would tell them where to put IT!

Re: Exposure at work

ennui1 — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 02:34:22 GMT

On 4/29/2014 serenity4ever said: Hyacinth, was cleaning the restroom part of the description of her duties at her job?

It's called "other duties as assigned."

I can't imagine that any dried blood is more dangerous than anything else you'd find in a public restroom. Been to a gas station lately?

Hyacinth, if you make a big deal out of this, your daughter will stop telling you things.