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Best Practice Guide: Bodily Fluid Spill Response in Your Facility

In any facility, dealing with expelled bodily fluids such as vomit, blood, or other biological matter presents a dual challenge. It is not only a challenging cleaning task, but it also carries serious health risks due to the potential for disease transmission. A professional response program must focus on reducing exposure risks and ensuring proper disinfection.

Having a Bodily Fluid Disposal Kit readily available in every building is a best practice. A stocked kit allows your team to respond quickly and safely. However, if a kit is not available, follow these critical steps to address bodily fluid spills:

Step-by-Step Bodily Fluid Clean Up Procedure

Isolate the Area
- Place wet floor signs around the spill to warn others of the hazard and reduce the risk of slips or cross-contamination.
Protect Yourself
- Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment. This includes disposable gloves, safety glasses, and a surgical mask to protect against airborne contaminants.
Absorb the Spill
- Generously apply Hillyard Super-Sorb Instant Absorbent to the spill. Allow it to absorb the liquid for at least one minute. Using a scoop or a sturdy piece of cardboard, collect the absorbed material and place it into a red biohazard bag.
Disinfect the Area
- Spray the affected surface with Hillyard QT-TB Disinfectant Cleaner. Let it remain visibly wet for ten minutes to achieve proper disinfection. After the dwell time, wipe up the solution with disposable paper towels and place all used materials in the biohazard bag.
Clean and Disinfect Equipment
- Any non-disposable tools used during the cleanup should be cleaned and disinfected with Hillyard QT-TB before being returned to storage.
Dispose of Waste Safely
- Place all disposable materials, including gloves and masks, into the biohazard bag. Seal the bag securely and dispose of it according to your facility’s biohazard waste procedures and local regulations.
Wash Hands Thoroughly
- After cleanup is complete, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water to remove any potential contamination.
Conduct Normal Cleaning
- Once the immediate response is complete, clean the area following your standard daily cleaning procedures to restore the space.

Special Considerations for Carpeted Areas

If the spill occurs on carpet, follow the same steps listed above. Once completed, apply Hillyard Double Down Carpet Spotter to treat any remaining spots. For odor control, apply Hillyard Take Down Deodorizer and cover the area with a damp towel. Allow a dwell time of six to twelve hours. Afterward, extract the area with a carpet extractor and promote drying with carpet fans.

Let Hillyard Help You Prepare

A quick, effective response protects your staff, building occupants, and the reputation of your facility. Equipping your team with proper supplies and training them on these procedures ensures that you manage these incidents with professionalism and care.

If you would like help developing your facility’s spill response plan or need to stock Bodily Fluid Disposal Kits, contact your local Hillyard representative. We are here to help you build a safer, healthier environment. Complete the “I’m Interested” form at the bottom of this page and one of our representatives will contact you.

DISCLAIMER: Specifications are subject to change without notice. Examples and recommendations in this article may not apply to every situation. This information is provided on an “as is” basis and does not supersede any other documentation. Always follow the instructions as written on the product label.