Cleaning services (including laundry services)

UNISON provides general infection prevention and control information - applicable to all NHS employees - within their document Occupational Health and Safety Standards, the NHS Staff Council working in partnership.  Available at: Unison.

Controlling occupational exposure risk to laundry workers

Laundry workers may be in direct contact with used / infected linen if they are involved in front line sorting of linen prior to washing and disinfection.  The use of personal protective equipment is therefore necessary to mitigate the risk associated with handling these materials. 

Useful guidance is available at:

• NHS Executive HSG(95)18: Hospital laundry arrangements for used and infected linen. 
• Infection Control Guidance for Care Homes (2006).  A UK Department of Health publication.  Ref. No. 275698.