The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About203.010h - Station Environment STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES HEALTH AND SAFETY 203.010h STATION ENVIRONMENT EFFECTIVE: AUGUST 2007 Current Revision Date: 5/16/19 Next Revision Date: 5/16/24 Author’s Name/Rank: Kevin Reynolds, Fire Captain Review Level: 1 Administrative Support: Christina Johnson, Senior Administrative Clerk Section 203.010h Page 1 of 8 PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to set proper procedures for cleaning and maintaining an infectious-free work environment at a Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) fire station. APPLICATION This section intentionally left blank. OPERATIONAL POLICY Storage, Decontamination, and Disposal Areas: All stations shall designate separate areas for: o Equipment decontamination and disinfection. o Storage of clean patient-care equipment and infection control personal protective equipment. o Storage of bio-hazard waste. Under no circumstances shall kitchens, bathrooms, or living areas be used for decontamination or storage of contaminated patient care equipment or infectious waste. Decontamination areas shall be marked with bio-hazard signs and shall be equipped with: o Sink, constructed of non-porous materials, and equipped with spray attachment. Section 203.010h Page 2 of 8 o Proper lighting and adequate ventilation. o Adequate counter areas constructed of non-porous materials. o Adequate rack space to allow air-drying of equipment. o Appropriate containers for disposal of bio-hazard waste. o Facilities for the safe storage, use, and disposal of cleansing and disinfecting solutions. o Appropriate PPE for the use of disinfecting solutions. o Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for cleansing and disinfecting solutions. All members using these solutions shall be familiar with the MSDS and shall use the recommended PPE. Stations without facilities to deal with decontamination shall first attempt to exchange the contaminated equipment with an on-scene Department unit which has decontamination facilities at its station. If exchange of equipment is not possible, the equipment shall be decontaminated at the closest station with appropriate facilities. Infectious waste storage areas shall be marked with bio-hazard signs. Contaminated sharps shall be stored in closed puncture-resistant containers (sharps containers) with appropriate bio-hazard markings and color coding. Contact EMS provider for disposal of sharps. Other contaminated materials shall be stored in leak-proof bags with appropriate bio-hazard markings and color coding. If outside contamination of a disposal bag is a possibility, a second bag with identical markings shall be placed over the first. Reusable bins and containers used to store bio-hazard waste shall be inspected, cleaned, and disinfected weekly and/or immediately when outside contamination is present. All disposal of bio-hazard waste shall be in accordance with EPA and local regulations and shall be performed by an approved licensed contractor designated by the Department Section 203.010h Page 3 of 8 Laundry: Uniforms and protective clothing severely contaminated with blood and body fluids, which cannot be safely decontaminated in quarters, shall be: o Placed in a heavy-duty, hot-water soluble bag. o The bag shall be sealed using the supplied pink neck tie. DO NOT KNOT THE BAG. o The water-soluble bag and its contents shall then be placed into a red bio-hazard bag. o The red bio-hazard bag shall be clearly marked with a wire tag containing the following printed information. Note: Bags not clearly marked will be disposed of by Prudential Linen in accordance with EPA and local regulators. Bio-hazard bags may be taken to the closest hospital emergency room department for disposal. o The properly marked red bag shall be added to the weekly Prudential Linen station disbursal. Once cleaned, the items will be returned to the location indicated on the wire tag. o Members shall wear disposable latex gloves when sorting soiled linen. o If the garment is only in need of spot cleaning, use detergent and a ten percent oxygenated bleach solution. Note: NEVER USE CHLORINE BLEACH. Kitchen: All kitchens shall be equipped with double sinks constructed of non- porous materials. To: Prudential Linen, Shawn Campbell From: Fresno Fire Station No. Member’s name and employee No. Contents: (list and describe all contents) Section 203.010h Page 4 of 8 Food preparation areas, counter tops, and cutting boards shall be constructed of non-porous materials. Under no circumstances shall any kitchen facility be used for the purpose of cleaning, sterilizing, disinfecting, storing, or disposal of any infectious material or waste. All kitchens shall be equipped with automatic dishwashers. Every attempt shall be made to inspect, sanitize, or disinfect, on a daily basis, where needed, all porous and non-porous surfaces. These surfaces will be sanitized or disinfected utilizing a Department approved sanitizing agent before and after each use. Every attempt shall be made to inspect, and sanitize or disinfect on a daily basis, where needed, station floors. The floors should be swept, cleaned, and mopped with a sanitizing cleaner. Bathrooms: Soap dispensers for hand washing shall be available. Bar soap shall not be available for use. Disposable hand-drying materials shall be used. Cloth towels and cloth roller towels shall not be used to dry hands. Adequate ventilation shall be available. Used linen shall be stored in laundry bags. Every attempt shall be made to inspect, and sanitize or disinfect surfaces, both porous and non-porous, on a daily basis where they are found in the bathroom. Stalls, showers, commodes, doors, and handle areas will be sanitized or disinfected. These areas shall be sanitized utilizing a Department approved sanitizing agent. Every attempt shall be made to inspect, and sanitize or disinfect floors. They will be swept and mopped where applicable on a daily basis, and on an as-needed basis according to the ranking company officer. Section 203.010h Page 5 of 8 Dorms/Offices/Common Areas: Every attempt shall be made to inspect, and sanitize or disinfect surfaces both porous and non-porous on a daily basis where they are found at a minimum, and on an as-needed basis according to the ranking company officer. Sanitization as well as disinfecting shall be on a regularly scheduled basis. This shall take place on the 1st and 16th of the month and on an as-needed basis according to the ranking company officer. For porous surfaces such as seat covers, arm chairs, arm chair head and arm covers, as well as all other porous surfaces, except carpets, they shall first be dampened with a disinfectant sanitizer and gently agitated with a moist rag, then allowed to dry. For non-porous surfaces such as doors, door handles, floors, microphones, computer keyboards, computer screens, remote controls, book cases, etc., they shall be cleaned utilizing a disinfectant/sanitizer. Other non-porous surfaces, consisting of delicate plastics, can be cleaned utilizing a dampened rag and a mild detergent solution such as simple green. Disinfectants should only be used on these materials when it is known or highly suspected they have been contaminated or exposed. Physical Fitness Areas: Areas of physical fitness will be cleaned, swept and mopped daily, as well as on an as-needed basis. Sport floors shall be damp mopped only. Water accumulation under the flooring will create mildew. Porous surfaces shall first be sprayed with a disinfectant/ sanitizer and gently agitated with a dampened rag, then allowed to air dry. Non-porous surfaces, particularly multi-personnel use items such as hand-held weights, weight bars, and exercise balls, shall be cleaned utilizing a sanitizing/disinfecting solution and should be wiped down after EACH USE and between changes of members utilizing equipment. Members should each bring a clean laundry service towel to provide a barrier to sit or lay on while utilizing physical fitness equipment, where practical. Section 203.010h Page 6 of 8 Each physical fitness area should also be provided with a means to easily store, for immediate use, cleaning materials such as disinfecting/sanitizing spray and disposable towels. Uniforms – Physical Fitness and Day: After any task where a member’s uniform becomes saturated from perspiration, that member shall be required to change into a clean, dry uniform prior to resuming tasks which would involve them coming in contact with moisture-permeable station items such as chairs, bedding, etc. If, in the opinion of the company officer, you are wearing clothing which could present sanitation or disinfection problem, you will be required to change into a clean uniform. Members shall bring enough clothing to always have a clean/dry set on hand. Each member will have in their possession, at minimum, two bath towels per shift worked. No sharing of bed linen is allowed. Each member will have in their possession the required one set of linen at a minimum. Beds and pillows shall be disinfected on the 1st and 16th of each month. A disinfectant/sanitizer can be sprayed on the surface and left to air dry. Do not soak pillow or mattress. Linens and Blankets: Each station shall have one FFD blanket on each bed. Every effort should be made to launder these blankets twice a month, on the 1st and the 16th. FFD blankets at stations where washers and dryers are located shall be laundered in those stations. Section 203.010h Page 7 of 8 Stations, which do not have washers and dryers, shall coordinate with neighboring stations to facilitate the washing and drying of their FFD or other washable blankets. Replacement blankets are to be placed on the beds while the other blankets are being laundered. Wool blankets shall be dry-cleaned once yearly between June and August. Blankets shall be forwarded to the Supply section for cleaning. Linen shall be laundered during the first six days of the month and middle six days of the month. Members shall use Department-issued or personal bed linens while occupying station beds. Sleeping bags are prohibited for fire station use. Apparatus: Cleaning of apparatus interior surfaces shall be done on a daily, and on an as-needed basis, according to the apparatus engineer. Sanitization as well as disinfecting shall be on a regularly-scheduled basis. This shall take place on the 1st and 16th of the month and on an as- needed basis according to the apparatus engineer. For porous surfaces such as seat covers, seat belts, head rests etc., they shall first be sprayed with a disinfectant/sanitizer and gently agitated with a dampened rag, then allowed to air dry. For non-porous surfaces, they shall be cleaned utilizing a disinfectant/sanitizer. These are areas of high probability of possible contamination, and should be inspected and cleaned daily as well as when suspected of being contaminated. Other non-porous surfaces consisting of delicate plastics (dashboards, doors, microphones, computer keyboards, computer screens, switch, etc.). These plastics can be cleaned utilizing a dampened rag and a mild detergent solution, such as Simple Green. Disinfectants should only be used on these materials when it is known or highly suspected that they have been contaminated or exposed. Section 203.010h Page 8 of 8 General Infectious waste shall not be permitted in living areas. Clothing and shoes, which are soiled from blood and/or body fluids, shall be removed prior to entering station living areas. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE This section intentionally left blank. PROCESS This section intentionally left blank. INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES Standard Operating Procedures Manual Section 203.010, Infection Control Section 203.010a, Health Maintenance Section 203.010b, Infection Control Training Section 203.010c, Personal Protective Equipment Section 203.010d, Scene Operations Section 203.010f, Post-Response Section 203.010g, Post-Exposure Protocols Section 203.010i, Compliance and Quality Monitoring/Program Evaluation