Product Overview

Summary: This Blood Spill Clean Up Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, step-by-step instructions for safely responding to and cleaning blood and body fluid spills in Australian workplaces. It helps you control infection risks, protect workers and visitors, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS and infection prevention requirements.

Blood and body fluid spills present a serious infection risk and can occur in almost any workplace – from healthcare and aged care through to schools, sporting facilities, retail sites and corporate offices. Without a clear, rehearsed procedure, staff may improvise or delay their response, increasing the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, cross-contamination, distress to others, and non-compliance with WHS obligations. This Blood Spill Clean Up Safe Operating Procedure provides a practical, legally defensible framework for responding quickly and safely to incidents involving blood or potentially infectious materials.

The SOP outlines how to assess the spill, establish an exclusion zone, select and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), contain and absorb the spill, disinfect the area, manage contaminated waste and sharps, and complete incident reporting and debriefing. It is written specifically for the Australian regulatory environment, supporting your duty of care under WHS legislation and aligning with infection prevention guidance. By standardising your response, you reduce uncertainty for staff, improve hygiene standards, and protect your organisation from avoidable incidents, workers’ compensation claims, reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, safe and compliant response to blood and body fluid spills across all work areas.
• Reduce the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.
• Demonstrate due diligence with clear documentation that supports WHS, infection control and incident reporting requirements.
• Streamline staff training and competency assessment with a simple, repeatable process.
• Minimise disruption to operations by enabling rapid, organised clean-up and return to normal activities.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Infection Control Coordinators
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Practice Managers (Medical and Allied Health)
• Aged Care Facility Managers
• Childcare Centre Directors
• School Business Managers
• Cleaning and Environmental Services Supervisors
• First Aid Officers
• Laboratory Managers
• Disability Support Service Managers
• Facilities and Operations Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to bloodborne pathogens (e.g. Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV)
• Contact with other infectious agents present in blood and body fluids
• Sharps injuries during spill clean up (e.g. hidden needles, broken glass)
• Chemical exposure from disinfectants and cleaning agents
• Slip, trip and fall risks around contaminated or wet surfaces
• Psychological distress for workers and bystanders following blood-related incidents
• Cross-contamination from incorrect waste handling and disposal

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Blood, Body Fluids, Clinical Waste, Sharps, Exposure Incident)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Required Equipment, PPE and Blood Spill Kits
• 5.0 Risk Assessment and Initial Scene Safety
• 6.0 Isolation of Area and Communication with Affected Persons
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment Selection and Donning Procedure
• 8.0 Blood Spill Clean Up Procedure – Small Spills
• 9.0 Blood Spill Clean Up Procedure – Large Spills and High-Risk Areas
• 10.0 Handling of Sharps and Contaminated Objects
• 11.0 Disinfection, Contact Times and Surface Decontamination
• 12.0 Waste Segregation, Bagging, Labelling and Disposal
• 13.0 Removal of PPE, Hand Hygiene and Post-Clean-Up Actions
• 14.0 Management of Exposure Incidents and First Aid
• 15.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Record Keeping
• 16.0 Training, Induction and Competency Requirements
• 17.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Replenishment of Blood Spill Kits
• 18.0 Review of Procedure and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and state/territory equivalents
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace
• Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (NHMRC)
• AS/NZS 2243.1: Safety in laboratories – Planning and operational aspects (where applicable)
• AS/NZS 3816: Management of clinical and related wastes
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment (where relevant to aerosol-generating procedures)
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves