LAUNDRY The employer will provide personnel with uniforms. This uniform is not designed to protect against hazardous materials, toxins or bloodborne pathogens, although these contaminants will occasionally come in direct contact with uniforms. Under no circumstances will employees take home uniforms that have been worn in a contaminated environment, nor those that are soiled with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). 1 Washers, dryers or laundry services are to be provided by the employer. No equipment, detergents or disinfectants should be used other than those provided by the employer. 1 Contaminated uniforms and linens should be washed with detergent in water between 140 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 25 minutes. If low temperature laundry cycles are used, chemicals suitable for low temperature washing at proper concentration must be used. HOUSEKEEPING Develop cleaning procedures to mitigate contamination and to avoid cross-contamination from fire incident scenes to living quarters. Employees handling contaminated equipment, hose and turnouts will wear appropriate PPE (gloves, splash gown and N95 if appropriate) to protect against exposures from contaminated equipment. Written schedules for station cleaning and methods of equipment decontamination, cleaning and disinfecting should be located at each work site. DECONTAMINATION, CLEANING AND DISINFECTING Gross Decontamination occurs at the scene and removes many of of the toxic products of combustion or biological contaminants. Cleaning occurs back at the fire station and uses soap, other cleaning products and warm water rinses. Disinfection can only happen after the object has been cleaned. Contact, or dwell, time is the amount of time required to “kill” the microorganisms. Disinfection products vary widely on their contact time, read the labels before using. LOGISTICS “I never see what has been done. I only see what remains to be done.” B U D D H A LOGISTICS 2 4