Girevoy Sports Union (GSU) – Blood Spillage Guidelines
In today’s society, a blood policy exists in the majority of sports due to the number of blood borne infectious diseases which can be transmitted; the most serious of these include Hepatitis and HIV. The potential for the spread of infection when contact is made has been widely recognised for many years. As a consequence of heightened public awareness and anxieties, increasing attention has been given to the possible risks of acquiring a blood borne disease where spillage of blood may occur. This policy has been put in place to protect injured lifters, their competitors, officials and any other individuals in attendance at competitions
There is an obligation upon the GSU to provide suitable information on the risk factors and prevention strategies against the possible risk due to blood borne infectious diseases and as such the safe handling of all blood spills must be brought to the attention of all lifters, coaches and officials.
SPILL KIT
In line with other governing bodies it is recommended that anyone who is organizing a competition has a spill kit which should be used only for the purpose of dealing with blood spills. Suggested contents of a spill kit include: 1 packet of paper hand towels, 1 packet of disposable latex surgical gloves, 1 packet of medium size sealable plastic bags and 1 spray bottle with bleach and detergent mixed with water (with bleach being the key ingredient).
LIFTERS
- Open cuts and abrasions occurring during warm up must be reported and treated immediately so that equipment can be isolated and cleaned. Official approval for the lifter to go on and complete a set must be given by a GSU representative. After the set any further equipment used must be isolated and cleaned.
- During a set should a lifters hands tear to the degree where blood can be seen dripping the lifter must stop their set immediately. If a lifter is unaware of the bleeding they must respect the stop command at the request of the head judge. The head judge will use the command ‘blood stop’. A lifter must remain on their platform until an official arrives to start the cleaning and containment process.
- Lifters must not walk around whilst bleeding to ensure that the risk of any blood spreading is kept to a minimum.
- Lifters should avoid unnecessary contact with the blood of other lifters.
- A lifters wounds must be cleaned and dressed to ensure that no further blood is spread
- Any lifter with an infectious disease should discuss the potential hazards of participation with a doctor. Chronic carriers of a blood borne disease should also seek medical clearance and advice. Any discussion with GSU officials with regards to these matters will be in the strictest confidence.
OFFICIALS / FIRST AID OFFICERS
- Officials / First Aid Officers must take precautions not to come into contact with body fluids, particularly blood or soiled objects, even if the risk is low.
- Care must be taken to avoid blood from the wounded lifter coming into contact with skin punctures or cuts, particularly on the fingers, or reaching the eyes or membranes of the nose or mouth.
- Where possible officials/first aider must avoid treating the lifter directly. They must however provide wipes and dressings and be satisfied that the wound is suitably covered to avoid further spreading.
- If required when treating an injured lifter, always wear latex, disposable surgical gloves in anticipation of body fluids, particularly blood from the nose, mouth or a wound. The gloves must be discarded after use.
- Thoroughly wash hands with hot water and soap before and particularly after contact with the lifter being treated, even if gloves have been worn.
- Wash any areas that have come into contact with body fluids.
CLEANING AND CONTAINMENT PROCESS
- When blood spills on non-absorbent surfaces the blood should be removed as follows:
- Latex disposable surgical gloves must be worn;
- if the blood spill is large, confine and contain the spill;
- remove the bulk of the blood and body substance with absorbent material, paper towels;
- Wipe the affected areas with disposable towels soaked in a solution of bleach and detergent, and the area should then be cleaned with water.
- place soiled paper towels, gloves, compresses and dressings into a sealed plastic bag to be disposed of in a rubbish bin;
- When blood spills on an absorbent area the area must be removed completely, or access completely blocked until the area can be properly cleaned. Routine washing procedures using hot water and detergents are adequate for decontamination of most removable items. Non removable items (i.e. carpets) must be professionally cleaned using correct detergents. Latex disposable surgical gloves should be worn when handling or washing soiled items. Contaminated items soiled with blood should be transported in a leak proof plastic bag to the laundry site simply to contain the body fluid and stop it spreading to the other laundry items.
- The lifter/and or one of their team must assist an official with the clear up of their blood.
COMPETITION AREAS
- All equipment and surfaces contaminated by blood must be treated as potentially infectious. Equipment on surfaces should be cleaned immediately if soiling or spills occur.
- Wash soiled towels or material in a 60 degree or above washing process.
- Any lifting equipment which has blood spills must be cleaned with disposable towels and a bleach and detergent solution.
Written and reviewed on 26th November 2018