Workplace Safety and Infection Control in Grand Rapids, Michigan

In Grand Rapids workplaces—from offices downtown to manufacturing plants on the South Beltline and healthcare settings near Spectrum Health and Trinity Health—effective infection control is essential to keeping employees, customers, and the community healthy.

Infections are caused by pathogens (“germs”) such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or fungi entering the body. Because it can take time for these microbes to multiply enough to cause symptoms, a person may spread infection before they even feel sick. This is especially important during cold and flu season in West Michigan, when respiratory illnesses are more common.

Workplace infection control aims to prevent these pathogens from coming into contact with people in the first place.

Under federal OSHA standards and Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) regulations, Grand Rapids employers must provide a safe workplace, which includes:

  • Adequate infection control procedures
  • Appropriate protective equipment
  • Staff training on safe work practices

This applies to all types of workplaces in Grand Rapids, including:

  • Hospitals and clinics (e.g., Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
  • Long-term care and assisted living facilities
  • Schools and childcare centers
  • Manufacturing, food service, retail, and office environments

For local guidance, businesses can also consult the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health resources.

How Infections Spread in the Workplace

Infectious agents can spread in several ways:

  • Airborne and droplet transmission

    • Breathing in germs from coughs, sneezes, or even talking
    • Common with colds, flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections
    • More frequent during Michigan’s colder months when people are indoors

  • Contact with contaminated surfaces or food

    • Touching doorknobs, phones, keyboards, tools, or shared equipment that have germs on them
    • Eating food contaminated by dirty hands or poor food safety practices

  • Skin-to-skin contact

    • Direct contact such as handshakes or assisting a client/patient
    • Sharing personal items, clothing, or equipment

  • Contact with body fluids

    • Blood, saliva, urine, vomit, or feces entering the body through:
      • Cuts or abrasions in the skin
      • Mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth)

Because not all infections are obvious, the safest approach is to assume that any person, surface, or body fluid could be potentially infectious and to follow standard precautions at all times.

Core Principles of Workplace Infection Control in Grand Rapids

Every workplace in Grand Rapids should:

  • Have a well-stocked first aid kit
  • Designate at least one staff member trained in first aid and incident reporting
  • Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as:
    • Disposable gloves
    • Gowns or aprons
    • Eye protection (goggles or face shields)
    • Masks or respirators when indicated

These measures are especially important in healthcare settings near Medical Mile, but they also apply to schools, restaurants, factories, and offices across the metro area.

Personal Hygiene Practices for Infection Control

Good personal hygiene is one of the most effective ways to reduce infection risk in the workplace.

Handwashing

Regular, thorough handwashing prevents the spread of many pathogens. Employees should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 15–20 seconds:

  • After using the toilet
  • Before preparing, serving, or eating food
  • After touching clients, patients, or residents
  • After handling equipment, tools, or shared devices
  • After coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose
  • After handling waste or cleaning up spills

When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol), but wash with soap and water as soon as possible.

Dry hands with disposable paper towels or a touch-free hand dryer. Damp hands spread germs more easily.

Protecting the Skin

  • Healthy, unbroken skin is a major barrier to infection.
  • Cover all cuts, abrasions, or skin conditions with a waterproof dressing or bandage before work.
  • Change dressings if they become wet or soiled.

Use of Gloves

Wear disposable gloves when:

  • Handling blood or body fluids
  • Contacting equipment or surfaces contaminated with body fluids
  • Touching another person’s broken skin or mucous membranes
  • Performing any invasive or high-risk procedure

Always:

  • Use new gloves for each person or task where contamination is possible
  • Remove gloves carefully to avoid touching the outside surface
  • Wash hands before and after wearing gloves

Personal Items

To reduce infection risks:

  • Do not share:
    • Towels
    • Clothing or uniforms
    • Razors or shavers
    • Toothbrushes
    • Personal grooming items

In shared workspaces across Grand Rapids, encourage employees to keep personal items stored separately and clean them regularly.

Safe Food Preparation and Infection Control

Foodborne illness can spread quickly in workplaces, from office break rooms to restaurants and catering services in Grand Rapids.

General Food Safety Practices

  • Wash hands before and after handling food
  • Avoid touching your hair, nose, or mouth while preparing food
  • Cover coughs and sneezes and wash hands immediately afterward

Temperature Control

Keep hot food hot and cold food cold:

  • Hot foods: maintain at 140°F (60°C) or above
  • Cold foods: maintain at 40°F (4°C) or below

This is especially important during company picnics and outdoor events around West Michigan’s lakes and parks.

Preventing Cross-Contamination

  • Use separate cutting boards, utensils, and preparation surfaces for:
    • Raw meat, poultry, and seafood
    • Cooked and ready-to-eat foods
  • After use, wash all utensils and surfaces thoroughly with hot water and detergent
  • Sanitize food-contact surfaces regularly, especially in commercial kitchens and cafeterias

Maintaining a Clean and Safe Workplace

Routine cleaning and disinfection reduce the number of germs on surfaces and equipment.

General Cleaning Procedures

  • Regularly clean:
    • Floors
    • Bathrooms
    • High-touch surfaces (tables, desks, phones, keyboards, railings, door handles, countertops)
  • Use hot water and detergent for general cleaning
  • Periodically wash walls and ceilings in areas prone to splashes or contamination
  • Thoroughly wash and dry mops, brushes, and cloths after each use
    • Drying is important because many pathogens thrive in moist environments

Using Disinfectants Safely

When using disinfectants:

  • Always wear gloves (and eye protection if splashing is possible)
  • Clean visible dirt and organic material off surfaces before applying disinfectant
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly, including:
    • Dilution ratios
    • Contact time (how long the surface must stay wet)
    • Ventilation requirements

Disinfect frequently touched surfaces more often during Michigan’s flu season and any local outbreaks identified by the Kent County Health Department.

Handling Spills of Blood and Other Body Fluids

Examples of body fluids include:

  • Blood
  • Saliva
  • Urine
  • Feces
  • Vomit

These fluids can carry infectious agents. Follow strict procedures for cleaning spills in any Grand Rapids workplace.

Steps for Managing a Body Fluid Spill

  1. Isolate the area

    • Keep other staff and customers away from the spill.

  2. Wear appropriate PPE

    • Disposable gloves
    • Plastic apron or gown
    • Eye protection (goggles or face shield) if splashing is possible

  3. Contain and absorb the spill

    • Use disposable paper towels to soak up the fluid
    • Or cover the spill with a granular chlorine-releasing agent for at least 10 minutes

  4. Collect and dispose of waste

    • Scoop up granules and contaminated material using cardboard or a disposable scraper
    • Place all waste in a plastic bag, seal it, and dispose of it according to workplace policy

  5. Disinfect the area

    • Prepare a bleach solution: 1 part household bleach to 10 parts water
    • Apply to the contaminated area and leave for 10 minutes

  6. Clean the area

    • Wash with hot water and detergent after disinfection

  7. Dry the area thoroughly

    • Use disposable towels or allow to air dry

  8. Dispose of PPE and cleaning materials

    • Place used paper towels, gloves, and disposable PPE in a plastic bag and seal
    • Dispose of as per workplace infectious waste procedures

  9. Wash your hands

    • Wash thoroughly with soap and warm water immediately after removing gloves and PPE

Handling Contaminated Clothing or Linen

If clothing or linen becomes contaminated:

  • Rinse under cold running water
  • Soak in a bleach solution (1:10) for about 30 minutes if fabric allows
  • Wash separately from other items using hot water and detergent
  • Dry completely before reuse

Disposing of Infectious Waste

Infectious waste includes materials contaminated with blood or other body fluids, such as:

  • Used dressings and bandages
  • Contaminated paper towels or wipes
  • Disposable PPE used during spill cleanup

Safe Disposal Steps

  • Wear heavy-duty gloves
  • Place waste in strong plastic bags marked “infectious waste” or according to your facility’s labeling system
  • Seal bags securely
  • Dispose of waste in accordance with:
    • Workplace policies
    • Local environmental and public health regulations
    • EPA and Kent County Health Department guidance

Healthcare facilities and some larger workplaces in Grand Rapids may contract with licensed medical waste disposal services.

Handling Needles and Other Sharps Safely

This is critical in healthcare settings, dental clinics, tattoo studios, and any workplace where needles or sharp instruments are used.

Sharps Safety Procedures

  • Never:
    • Re-cap used needles
    • Bend or break needles by hand
  • Handle sharps by the barrel or non-sharp end
  • Immediately place used sharps in an approved puncture-proof sharps container:
    • Rigid, leak-proof, and puncture-resistant
    • Clearly labeled with a biohazard symbol and “Danger – Contaminated Sharps”

Follow current U.S. and Michigan standards and workplace policies for sharps container use, storage, and disposal.

What to Do If You Are Exposed to Blood or Body Fluids

If you come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious body fluids:

  1. Flush the area immediately

    • Rinse skin thoroughly under running water
    • If eyes are exposed, flush with clean water or saline for at least 15 minutes

  2. Wash the area

    • Use plenty of warm water and soap
    • Do not scrub harshly, as this may damage the skin

  3. Report the incident

    • Notify the appropriate supervisor or occupational health and safety officer right away
    • Follow your workplace’s exposure or incident reporting process

  4. Document the incident

    • Complete the required incident report (e.g., disease/injury/near-miss/accident form) as per your organization’s policy

  5. Seek medical advice promptly

    • Contact your GP (primary care doctor) or an urgent care/occupational health clinic in Grand Rapids
    • In higher-risk exposures, evaluation may be needed at a local hospital such as Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Follow all recommendations for testing, vaccination, or post-exposure treatment

Employers and occupational health and safety representatives should investigate all exposure incidents and update procedures to prevent similar events in the future.

Local Grand Rapids Resources for Workplace Infection Control

For up-to-date information, support, and guidance on infection control in workplaces across Grand Rapids and Kent County, consider:

  • Your GP (doctor) or primary care provider
  • Local hospitals and health systems
    • Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department
    • Guidance on communicable diseases, outbreaks, and workplace health policies
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources
    • Community health education and prevention programs
  • Occupational health and safety officer at your workplace
  • MIOSHA (Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
    • State-level workplace safety regulations and infection control standards

By combining strong workplace policies with everyday hygiene and cleaning practices, Grand Rapids employers and employees can significantly reduce the spread of infections—protecting staff, customers, and the broader West Michigan community year-round.