CMI CMI Restroom Sanitation & Infection Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which government standard governs worker exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the custodial industry?
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 (Correct answer)
- EPA 40 CFR 261
- NFPA 101
- ANSI Z87.1
Correct answer: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires exposure control plans, PPE, and training for workers who may encounter blood or other infectious materials.
Question 2: What is the purpose of using a disinfectant rather than just a cleaner on restroom surfaces?
- Disinfectants kill or inactivate pathogens; cleaners only remove visible dirt (Correct answer)
- Disinfectants are cheaper than cleaners
- Cleaners are more effective than disinfectants
- There is no practical difference
Correct answer: Disinfectants kill or inactivate pathogens; cleaners only remove visible dirt
Cleaners remove dirt and grime but do not necessarily kill microorganisms, while EPA-registered disinfectants are formulated to destroy or inactivate specific pathogens.
Question 3: What does the term 'sanitizing' mean in the context of restroom maintenance?
- Reducing microbial contamination to safe levels as determined by public health standards (Correct answer)
- Making a surface visually clean
- Removing all chemicals from a surface
- Disinfecting to eliminate all microorganisms
Correct answer: Reducing microbial contamination to safe levels as determined by public health standards
Sanitizing reduces bacteria on a surface to safe levels according to public health codes, which is less aggressive than full disinfection but sufficient for many surfaces.
Question 4: Which pathogen is most frequently associated with restroom-acquired illness in commercial buildings?
- Norovirus (Correct answer)
- Influenza A
- Streptococcus
- Hepatitis B
Correct answer: Norovirus
Norovirus is highly contagious and can survive on surfaces for days, making inadequately cleaned restrooms a common transmission point in commercial facilities.
Question 5: When should a custodial technician replace their gloves during restroom cleaning?
- When moving from contaminated areas (toilet) to less contaminated areas (sink), or if gloves are torn (Correct answer)
- Only after completing the entire restroom
- Every 30 minutes regardless of task
- Gloves do not need to be changed
Correct answer: When moving from contaminated areas (toilet) to less contaminated areas (sink), or if gloves are torn
Changing gloves between high-contamination and lower-contamination areas prevents spreading pathogens from toilets to sinks and dispensers.
Question 6: What is the recommended practice after completing restroom cleaning duties?
- Remove gloves, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Simply remove gloves without handwashing
- Use hand sanitizer only
- No hand hygiene is needed since gloves were worn
Correct answer: Remove gloves, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
Even after removing gloves, thorough handwashing with soap and water is required because gloves can have micro-tears and pathogens may be transferred during glove removal.
CMI CMI Restroom Sanitation & Infection Control 2
Which government standard governs worker exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the custodial industry?