How should contaminated laundry be handled?

Contaminated laundry must be handled as little as possible with a minimum of agitation. It must be bagged or containerized at the location where it was used and cannot be sorted or rinsed in the location of use. Also, contaminated laundry must be placed and transported in bags or containers labeled or color-coded in accordance with 1910.1030(g)(1)(i).

When a facility utilizes Universal Precautions in the handling of all soiled laundry, alternative labeling or color-coding is sufficient if it permits all employees to recognize the containers as requiring compliance with Universal Precautions.

Whenever contaminated laundry is wet and presents a reasonable likelihood of soak-through or leakage from the bag or container, the laundry must be placed and transported in bags or containers which prevent soak-through and/or leakage of fluids to the exterior.

Also, the employer must ensure that employees who have contact with contaminated laundry wear protective gloves and other appropriate personal protective equipment.