Traumatic events or accidents that have resulted in injury or death need certified biohazard restoration professionals’ services. This biohazard cleaning consists of the extensive cleaning and application of EPA approved hospital-grade disinfectants and then thoroughly deodorizing the area. Chemical spills, blood, and human or animal remains are examples of biohazard materials that call for professional restoration.
Biohazard Cleanup Services Include
Bear in mind that the state is not responsible for cleaning up a crime scene. After police investigators collect evidence from the scene, it is up to the property owner to employ biohazard cleaning services. A professional cleanup team can arrive onsite only after the police have gathered all evidence related to the crime.
The Blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (BOPIM) Standard
In 1991, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) put forth a standard to protect working individuals from the potential dangers of blood or other possibly infectious materials (BOPIM). For example, infectious pathogens are the Hepatitis B virus, HIV, the 2019 Novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and many others.
BOPIM helps protect nearly 5.6 million workers in the healthcare field and related occupations, including biohazard remediation companies. Biohazard restoration falls within the coverage of the BOPIM standard.
The BOPIM standard additionally consists of specific requirements, such as:
- Record keeping
- Mandatory training
- Specific required vaccinations
- Proper handling, transport and disposal of hazardous medical waste materials
- Using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Using work practice controls
- Conduct a Health and Safety Assessment (OSHA requirement)
Common Biohazard Situations
- Blood and bodily fluid
- Suicide or death
- Crime or homicide scenes
- Coronavirus contamination
- Chemical hazards
- Animal waste or remains
- Hoarding scenes
PuroClean technicians face significant risk each and every time they handle materials that are potentially hazardous. For this reason, the practice of proper training and safety steps are critically important. The training and safety methods are important for both the technicians employed on the project as well as the individuals who will be occupying the premises once the biohazard remediation is complete.
Is Certification Required to Perform Biohazard Cleanup?
One does not require a certification to work as a biohazard technician. However, requirements mandate that biohazard specialists wear proper PPE when working in areas with bloodborne pathogens. The state of Georgia recently put into law which affects any firm providing restoration services related to traumatic event locations and crime scene cleaning and restoration. Therefore, you need to review and follow local city, state, and federal requirements that may call for special licensing or have certain laws in place for licensing requirements, background checks, fingerprinting or additional factors that may apply to biohazard cleanup services.
PPE ensures the safety of employees and happens to be the last line of defense. This equipment protects the skin, eyes, mouth, nose and other body parts from being exposed to hazardous material. The extent of PPE used on each project may vary on different job sites. However, PPE should always consist of full face protection, cut resistant and nitrile gloves, properly designated waterproof coveralls as well as a respirator.
Additionally, well established restoration firms offer biohazard handling training for new employees. The training includes learning on-the-job safety methods as set by OSHA, for handling biohazardous materials. Learning these guidelines reduce risks of accidents, or even potential lawsuits.
Our Biohazard Cleanup Process
- Upon arrival, the remediation team will inspect and find all affected locations, conduct a health and safety inspection, and determine the scope of the biohazard project. When the crew has a plan laid out, remediation begins immediately.
- Technicians will first take precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of any individuals near the affected areas.
- Technicians then gather and dispose of all potentially infectious items from the project.
- OSHA regulations will explain how hazardous medical waste is handled. For example, spinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, and other body fluids are carefully handled and transported to a licensed hazardous medical waste incinerator.
- Per industry standards and state regulations, technicians have to get rid of porous materials such as fabric and carpeting that can’t be adequately cleaned.
- We will use hospital-grade disinfectants on non-porous items that we can save. If the items end up being non-restorable, our technicians will remove and dispose of such items.
- Following the cleaning procedure, technicians will deodorize all affected locations and assure they are returned to pre-contamination cleanliness and appearance. One method that proves areas are completely cleansed and ready for people is to have a licensed industrial Hygienist perform clearance testing.
- Odors are usually controlled by getting rid of uncleanable contaminated items and cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectants. However, difficult situations may require further methods of deodorization to achieve the desired goal.
Providing Biohazard Cleanup Services with Empathy
As with any property damage, PuroClean remediation professionals ensure that their actions do not worsen the sense of loss of the property owners. PuroClean proprietors and employees are exceptionally sensitive, understanding that the individuals involved can be emotionally vulnerable. When working with this type of restoration, it is imperative always to show extra care and compassion. PuroClean technicians sympathize with all materially focused individuals working through these traumatic events.
The RapidDefense™ Program by PuroClean
PuroClean has adopted a cleaning process that we feel is the best way to clean. The PuroClean RapidDefense™ Program consists mainly of the application of EPA approved hospital-grade disinfectants in high traffic areas. The 2019 Novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Norovirus, Influenza, and many more pathogen-based germs are the goal of our RapidDefense™ Program, helping to stop the spreading of such illnesses. We use Environmental Protection Agency-registered, safe products for this method for three months of protection against pathogens. Contact PuroClean to stop an outbreak and help build a safe and clean atmosphere.
For Biohazard Cleaning Services, Call PuroClean!
Contact your local PuroClean when you require biohazard restoration services. PuroClean technicians will clean and remediate your contaminated areas. Our technicians will use state-of-the-art equipment, tools, and methods to manage your damage effectively.
PuroClean’s dedication to quality, compassion and timeliness of delivery throughout the complete project propels us above all other competition, and makes us the top choice in the industry. PuroClean vows to put in the time to rescue, clean and restore properties in all communities within our service area.
*As not all PuroClean offices offer biohazard cleaning services, please contact the PuroClean home office at 1-800-775-7876 to help you find a PuroClean location that may be able to help you.
Cleaning and application of hospital grade cleaners of frequently touched objects and surfaces are the suggested actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, like coronavirus. We cannot guarantee PuroClean’s cleaning services to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This is because the virus can re-contaminate any surface clean surface at a later time. Furthermore, contact and exposure from person-to-person are how the virus spreads. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html) for more information regarding coronavirus, its spread, and prevention.
PuroClean Property Restoration 
PuroClean Property Restoration 