Safety Procedures for Cleaning Up Human Fecal Matter on Stairwells

This document outlines the safety procedures for cleaning up human fecal matter on stairwells. These procedures are designed to minimize slip and fall hazards, prevent the spread of disease, and ensure proper hygiene for cleaning personnel and building occupants.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Prior to commencing any cleanup activity, ensure appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is donned. This is crucial to protect against potential exposure to pathogens.

• Gloves: Wear impervious gloves that provide comprehensive protection, such as P.V.C., neoprene, or rubber. Ensure gloves are in good condition and free from punctures or tears. Polychloroprene (CR) gloves with a thickness >=0.5mm and a breakthrough time >=480min, Nitrile rubber (NBR) gloves with a thickness >=0.35mm and a breakthrough time >=480min, Butyl rubber (IIR) gloves with a thickness >=0.5mm and a breakthrough time >=480min, or Fluorinated rubber (FKM) gloves with a thickness >=0.4mm and a breakthrough time >=480min are suitable.
• Eye Protection: Use close-fitting safety goggles; do not use eye lenses. Eye protection is essential to prevent splashes or accidental contact with contaminated material.
• Respiratory Protection: If there is a risk of exposure to dust/fume at levels exceeding the exposure limits, use a NIOSH/MSHA approved respirator. Respiratory protection must be used where exposure levels exceed workplace exposure limits. Refer to 29 CFR 1910.134 CSA Z94.4 for information on selection and use of appropriate respiratory protection equipment. Use adequate protective respiratory equipment.
• Clothing: Wear clothing that provides comprehensive protection to the skin, e.g., cotton, rubber, PVC, or viton.

Containment and Initial Cleanup

The following steps detail how to contain the spill and perform the initial cleanup:

• Isolate the Area: Keep unnecessary personnel away. Isolate the hazard area and deny entry to unnecessary and unprotected personnel.
• Contain the Spill: Limit leakages with earth or sand.
• Absorb the Waste: Take up mechanically, placing in appropriate containers for disposal. Soak up with inert absorbent material (e.g. sand, silica gel, acid binder, universal binder, sawdust).
• Collect Solid Waste: Scoop into containers and seal for disposal.

Disinfection

After the initial cleanup, thorough disinfection of the affected area is critical to eliminate pathogens.

• Prepare Disinfectant Solution: Prepare a solution of appropriate disinfectant.
• Apply Disinfectant: Apply the disinfectant solution to the affected area, ensuring complete coverage.
• Contact Time: Allow the disinfectant to remain in contact with the surface for the time specified by the manufacturer to ensure effective disinfection.
• Rinse (If Required): Some disinfectants may require rinsing with clean water after the contact time. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Final Cleaning and Hygiene

The final steps involve cleaning the area and ensuring personal hygiene.

• Wash the Area: Following product recovery, flush area with water.
• Personal Hygiene: Always observe good personal hygiene measures, such as washing after handling the material and before eating, drinking, and/or smoking. Routinely wash work clothing and protective equipment separately from regular wash.
• Launder Clothing: Launder contaminated clothing before reuse.

Waste Disposal

Proper disposal of contaminated materials is essential to prevent further contamination.

• Containerize Waste: Shovel the material into waste container.
• Seal Containers: Scoop into containers and seal for disposal.
• Dispose Properly: Dispose of unwanted material properly in accordance with all local, regional, national and international regulations. Dispose of via a licensed waste disposal contractor.

Prevention of Slips and Falls

To prevent slips and falls during and after the cleanup process:

• Use Anti-slip Additives: Consider using anti-slip floor finish additives to enhance the traction of the stairwell surface.
• Ensure Dry Surface: Ensure the stairwell surface is thoroughly dry before allowing regular use.

First Aid Measures

In case of exposure, follow these first aid measures:

• Skin Contact: Wash off immediately with soap and plenty of water while removing all contaminated clothes and shoes. If symptoms persist, call a physician. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
• Eye Contact: Rinse with water. Get medical attention if irritation develops and persists.
• Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Get medical attention if symptoms occur.

Handling and Storage of Cleaning Materials

Follow these guidelines for handling and storing cleaning materials:

• Safe Handling: Avoid contact with skin and eyes, inhalation of vapors and mists. Don't use empty container before they have been cleaned. Before making transfer operations, assure that there aren't any incompatible material residuals in the containers. Contaminated clothing should be changed before entering eating areas. Do not eat or drink while working.
• Safe Storage: Do not pour the product into other containers. Always use the original container. Keep away from food, drink, and feed. Store in accordance with local regulations. Store in original container protected from direct sunlight in a dry, cool and well-ventilated area, away from incompatible materials and food and drink. Store locked up. Keep container tightly closed and sealed until ready for use. Containers that have been opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Do not store in unlabeled containers. Use appropriate containment to avoid environmental contamination.

Accidental Release Measures

In case of accidental release of cleaning materials:

• Personal Precautions: Wear personal protection equipment. Remove persons to safety. Do not allow to enter into soil/subsoil. Do not allow to enter into surface water or drains. Limit leakages with earth or sand.
• Containment and Cleaning Up: Suitable material for taking up: absorbing material, organic, sand Retain contaminated washing water and dispose it.

Fire-Fighting Measures

In case of fire:

• Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use extinguishing measures that are appropriate to local circumstances and the surrounding environment. Dry chemical, CO2, sand, earth, water spray or regular foam.
• Special Protective Equipment: As in any fire, wear self-contained breathing apparatus pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent) and full protective gear.

Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

To minimize exposure:

• Engineering Controls: Provide sufficient ventilation for operations causing dust formation. Observe occupational exposure limits and minimize the risk of exposure.
• Eye/Face Protection: Wear approved safety goggles.
• Hand Protection: It is a good industrial hygiene practice to minimize skin contact. For prolonged or repeated skin contact use suitable protective gloves.
• Skin Protection: Normal work clothing (long sleeved shirts and long pants) is recommended.
• Respiratory Protection: If engineering controls do not maintain airborne concentrations below recommended exposure limits (where applicable) or to an acceptable level (in countries where exposure limits have not been established), an approved respirator must be worn.

Handling Precautions

When handling materials, take the following precautions:

• General Hygiene: Eating, drinking and smoking should be prohibited in areas where this material is handled, stored and processed. Workers should wash hands and face before eating, drinking and smoking. Remove contaminated clothing and protective equipment before entering eating areas.
• Protective Measures: Put on appropriate personal protective equipment (see Section 8). Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use. Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood. Do not get in eyes or on skin or clothing. Do not ingest. Use only with adequate ventilation. Wear appropriate respirator when ventilation is inadequate. Keep in the original container or an approved alternative made from a compatible material, kept tightly closed when not in use. Empty containers retain product residue and can be hazardous. Do not reuse container.

Storage Guidelines

When storing materials, adhere to the following:

• Safe Storage: Store in accordance with local regulations. Store in original container protected from direct sunlight in a dry, cool and well-ventilated area, away from incompatible materials and food and drink. Store locked up. Keep container tightly closed and sealed until ready for use. Containers that have been opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Do not store in unlabeled containers. Use appropriate containment to avoid environmental contamination.

First Aid

In case of exposure, implement the following first aid measures:

• Skin Contact: Wash off with soap and water. Get medical attention if irritation develops and persists.
• Eye Contact: Rinse with water. Get medical attention if irritation develops and persists.
• Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Get medical attention if symptoms occur.

Fire Fighting

In the event of a fire:

• Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use an extinguishing agent suitable for the surrounding fire.
• Special Protective Equipment: Fire-fighters should wear appropriate protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with a full face-piece operated in positive pressure mode.

Accidental Release

In case of accidental release:

• Personal Precautions: No action shall be taken involving any personal risk or without suitable training. Evacuate surrounding areas. Keep unnecessary and unprotected personnel from entering. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Avoid breathing vapor or mist. Provide adequate ventilation. Wear appropriate respirator when ventilation is inadequate. Put on appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Environmental Precautions: Avoid dispersal of spilled material and runoff and contact with soil, waterways, drains and sewers. Inform the relevant authorities if the product has caused environmental pollution (sewers, waterways, soil or air).
• Containment and Cleaning Up: Stop leak if without risk. Move containers from spill area. Absorb with an inert material and place in an appropriate waste disposal container. Dispose of via a licensed waste disposal contractor.

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