Biohazard Cleanup Services in Jacksonville

Biohazard cleanup often means working to clean up areas where a traumatic event has occurred, and requires certified cleanup of chemical spills, blood, or human and animal remains. Cleaning property during a biohazard cleaning involves the application of EPA approved hospital grade disinfectants and complete deodorization of the affected space.

Included Within The Biohazard Cleanup Services

• Blood and Bodily Fluid Remediation
• Virus Decontamination and Protection
• Sewage Cleanup and Sanitation
• Deodorization and Odor Control
• Crime Scene Cleanup
• Hoarding Cleanup

Bear in mind that the state is not responsible for cleaning up a crime scene. Once police investigators gather evidence from the scene, it is up to the property owner to seek biohazard cleaning services. A professional cleanup company can arrive onsite only after the police have gathered all evidence pertaining to the crime.

BOPIM Standard

In 1991, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a standard to protect workers from the risk of blood or other possibly infectious materials (BOPIM). Infectious pathogens for example are the Hepatitis B virus, HIV, the 2019 Novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and many others.

The standard helps protect nearly 5.6 million workers in the healthcare industry and related jobs, which also includes biohazard remediation businesses. Biohazard remediation falls within the scope of the BOPIM standard.

The BOPIM standard additionally consists of various requirements, such as:

• 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)
• Record keeping
• Mandatory training
• Specific required vaccinations

Common Biohazard Scenarios

• Crime or homicide scenes
• Suicide or death
• Blood and bodily fluid
• Hoarding scenes
• Animal waste or remains
• Chemical hazards
• Coronavirus contamination

Each time technicians handle potentially hazardous materials, they are doing so at significant risk. Therefore, following correct proper training and safety procedures are crucial. This is necessary not only for their own personal safety but also for the individuals who will reside in the property after the biohazard remediation is complete.

Is Certification Required to Perform Biohazard Cleanup?

Biohazard specialists are not required to procure a certificate for their employment. However, biohazard technicians are obligated, by OSHA, to wear proper PPE while working with bloodborne pathogens. Furthermore, for technicians to perform biohazard remediation, local, city, state and federal laws may call for licensing requirements. Regulations may be in place that require the technicians to be subjected to background checks, fingerprinting, or further actions. Georgia’s requirements are a prime example. The state passed laws that affect businesses who provide trauma and crime scene cleanup.

PPE is the last line of defense and aids to ensure the safety of workers. The equipment stops hazardous material from entering the body through the skin, eyes, mouth, nose, or any additional area. Although PPE varies from job to job, it should always include full-face protection, cut resistant and nitrile gloves, properly designated waterproof coveralls, and a respirator.

Additionally, well established restoration firms offer biohazard cleanup training for new employees. The training includes learning on-the-job safety methods as set by OSHA, for handling biohazardous waste. Learning these things reduce risks of accidents, or even potential lawsuits.

PuroClean Biohazard Cleanup Procedures

• First, the restoration crew identifies the affected areas, conducts a health and safety evaluation, and determines the scope of the biohazard project. Once a plan is devised, remediation efforts begin as quickly as possible.
• Technicians then take steps to maintain their safety and the safety of others near the cleanup site.
• All potentially infectious materials are removed from the site and disposed of correctly.
• Hazardous medical waste, like spinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, and other bodily fluids, is handled in strict accordance with OSHA regulations and given to a licensed hazardous medical waste incinerator.
• Porous items like fabric and carpeting that can’t be sufficiently cleaned are removed following industry standards and state regulations.
• Non-porous items are either washed with hospital-grade disinfectants if they are salvageable, or taken away and disposed of if non-restorable.
• After cleanup is finished, technicians deodorize the affected locations, and will ensure all of the cleaned areas are returned to their previous state in appearance and cleanliness. One way to ensure that the area has been cleaned and ready for occupancy is to have clearance tests performed by a licensed Industrial Hygienist.
• Removal of uncleanable contaminated materials, cleaning, and use of hospital-grade disinfectants are often enough to dissipate odors, and in some difficult situations, other methods of deodorization are used to accomplish the desired air cleanliness.

Empathetically Provided Biohazard Cleanup Services

Whether you’re the customer, occupant or owner of the project location, PuroClean realizes and understands the magnitude of pain you’re going through. Our restoration crews strive to be exceptionally empathetic and understanding so as not to enhance the sense of loss that may be felt. Biohazard restoration particularly can be especially traumatic. Therefore, all PuroClean employees empathize with all involved, showing the utmost compassion and respect throughout the cleanup process.

The PuroClean RapidDefense™ Program

The RapidDefense™ Program by Puroclean is the most favorable cleaning process. The RapidDefense™ Program implements the application of EPA approved hospital-grade cleaning products in all public areas. This process aids in stopping the spread of illnesses of pathogen-based origin, like Norovirus, Influenza and also the Novel coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19). The program’s process calls for the use of Environmental Protection Agency-registered products that are safe and provide protection against pathogens that will work up to three months. To help you create a clean environment, contact PuroClean before an outbreak occurs.

For Biohazard Cleaning Services, Call PuroClean!

If your home or business is in need of biohazard cleanup and remediation, contact PuroClean and our team of professionals to thoroughly clean and restore your contaminated spaces. PuroClean technicians will effectively restore your affected areas using state-of-the-art techniques and equipment.

PuroClean’s commitment to quality, compassion and timeliness of delivery throughout the entire project propels us above all other cleaning companies, and makes us the top choice in the industry. PuroClean vows to go the extra mile to rescue, clean and restore required locations 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 disinfectants of frequently touched objects and surfaces are the recommended actions to help stop the spread of respiratory diseases, like coronavirus. Since any surface can be re-contaminated following cleaning, and because the coronavirus is also spread person-to-person, PuroClean’s cleaning services cannot be guaranteed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. 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.