Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
General Work Refused
Human Factors; Procedure
Flight began boarding when a passenger entering main cabin made an attempt to stow a carry-on in the overhead and apparently injured himself. The injury in turn caused a [large] amount of bleeding of which was spread out in the cabin; cabin seating (several) overhead bins; galley floor and passenger bag that he then removed from bin as it didn't fit. Passenger upon proceeding to bring Flight Attendant item what notified by numerous passenger that he was now bleeding all over the area and passengers. Unaware of the chaos and what all the screaming was directed at I extended my hand to take item just as passengers screamed to me not to touch the bag as he had bleed all over it. It was too late. I looked down and the item was covered with this individual's blood. I was made aware of visibly obvious tainted areas. I reported to crew that we had biohazard in the cabin/galley area and that I had been exposed to someone's blood. I need to be seen by a medic as I realized a little later in the incident that I had two small recent cuts on both hands. We took actions to contact who we thought to be a HAZMAT team. To which became an epic fail as the procedure to handle a HAZMAT such blood per ZZZ airport standards is a joke. Or the manner in which this was attempted to resolve was not safe/healthy and considerate of the passengers; crew or rescue/cleaning team. Initially two young men arrived. One wearing a latex like glove the other I did not see have any protective gear on. I bottle with the resemblance of a body splash was sprayed on the galley floor with passengers still on board. The team used standard paper towels and proceeded to clean the entire galley floor with this solution. The procedure and product was questioned as this did not seem to be a safe and sure manner to handle a blood HAZMAT issue. I request for a head supervisor was called at this point and I had made proper contact with my inflight supervisor to whom was enroute to the aircraft. A HAZMAT supervisor did arrive with another solution that to my understanding said it was to clean bodily fluids such as vomit...etc. This solution was sprayed and again wiped across the galley floor again with passengers on board. They wiped the floor with the same paper towels but the proceeded to wipe down the beverage cart and the galley counter with this same exact bunch of paper towels they had cleaned the floor with. I haven't been in health and safety ever and it's been a while since food and beverage was near my title; but I for self; know this was so wrong on so many levels. A better action; reaction and procedure has to be formulated for those exposed to a blood HAZMAT. Not only that but the procedure at the airport clinic raises a brow as the doctor basically told me that there was not much to do unless I had any open wounds no real protocol to access me. It is my understanding that this passenger again had another bleeding episode and passengers informed gate and crew after I left to be seen. I was given alcohol wipes to see if I had an open wound that would burn if exposed and advised to get a hepatitis shot. I will be contacting my personal General Practitioner to move forward with my care in ZZZ1. I will keep company/union abreast. This total ordeal is inexcusable and very concerning.
CRJ-200 Flight Attendant reported a breakdown of procedures by airport medical personnel attempting to handle BioHazard fluid from a passenger injury.