HomeMy WebLinkAbout202.017 - Accident and Trauma Scene Wash Down Guidelines
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
202.017 ACCIDENT AND TRAUMA SCENE WASH
DOWN GUIDELINES
EFFECTIVE: APRIL 2012
Current Revision Date: 6/16/21 Next Revision Date: 6/16/23
Author’s Name/Rank: Joshua Sellers, Engineer Review Level: 1
Administrative Support:
Evelyn Yin-Zepeda,
Management Analyst II
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish operational guidelines and provide detailed
actions for scenes contaminated with blood, bodily fluids, or other residues from
serious human injuries and illnesses, which require appropriate clean-up and disposal
to prevent health exposure risks.
APPLICATION
Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) members should use the following
general guidelines related to the wash down of bodily fluids found in an accident or
trauma setting. It is Department policy to perform wash downs of small amounts of
blood into a storm drain or public sewer system.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
Department members performing a wash down shall wear appropriate personal
protective equipment (PPE).
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
The California Medical Waste Act was enacted in 2007. This legislation regulates the
requirements for handling medical waste, including trauma scene waste. A typical
wash down consists of an amount of blood less than one pint. Trauma scene waste
is material other than small amounts of blood found on scene (i.e., large amounts of
blood, tissue, bone fragments, and brain matter). This material should be treated as
human remains and cannot be washed down and require decontamination and
cleanup beyond the capability of first responders. The use of a Registered Trauma
Scene Waste Management Practitioner (TSWMP) is necessary.
Section 202.017
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PROCESS
Upon request for blood or body fluid wash down, members are to determine if the
potential bio-hazard exists on public or private property.
1. If a request for a wash down is determined to be on private property,
the area should be cordoned off and the property owner / occupant
advised of his / her responsibility for safe cleanup.
a. Environmental Health is to be notified and provided details of
the biohazard condition.
2. If determined to be on public property and free of any trauma scene
waste, the area may be washed down into a sewer drain where
available using the following steps:
a. Members performing wash-down tasks are to wear gloves,
eye protection, and a particulate respirator as a minimum.
b. Spray a bleach disinfectant solution liberally over the area
contaminated with blood.
i. A bleach disinfection solution should be mixed in a
spray bottle with a ratio of 2 ounces of bleach to 18
ounces of water.
ii. Chlorine bleach solutions lose their ability to
disinfect when exposed to heat, sunlight, and
evaporation. A new solution should be mixed and
used for each incident.
c. Allow the solution to stand for a minimum of 10 minutes.
d. Using a hose line, wash the blood and bleach solution into the
nearest storm drain or public sewer system.
i. Efforts should be made to prevent unnecessary
splashing and contamination.
If a member suffers an exposure, provide
medical care as needed and follow
protocols.
Take appropriate measures to clean
contaminated uniforms and / or PPE as
needed.
Section 202.017
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e. In the event a scene requires more than a simple wash down,
the responding company officer should advise the requesting
law enforcement agency to request a registered TSWMP for
proper clean up.
i. The company officer should advise dispatch they
are available, and the scene requires more than a
simple wash down.
3. The Department recognizes a wash-down request may adversely
impact the crew that initially responded to the incident or is receiving
CISM intervention related to the original incident. Therefore, company
officers may request a battalion chief to assign the next closest
resource to a wash down. Approval by an on-duty battalion chief is
required. Battalion chiefs are to use discretion in approving this
change in assignment.
INFORMATION
Trauma Scene Waste Management Practitioners are registered with the Department
of Public Health (DPH) and will conduct cleanup operations in accordance with the
Medical Waste Management Act. See Trauma-Scene Waste Management
Practitioners for a current list.
DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
California Medical Waste Management Act
Health and Safety Code § 118321
Standard Operating Procedures Manual
Section 203.010c, Personal Protective Equipment
Section 203.010d, Scene Operations
Section 203.010g, Post Exposure Protocols
Training and Equipment Manual
Section 311.005, Firefighter Protective Clothing Cleaning Procedures
Section 202.017
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