Biohazard Cleanup Services in Columbia, SC

Biohazard restoration often means working to clean up areas where a devastating event has happened, 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 full deodorization of the affected space.

Included Within The Biohazard Cleanup Services

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

After police and investigators finish gathering all the evidence from a crime scene, they are no longer responsible for any of the actual cleaning of the scene. When police release the scene, the responsibility is with the owner of the property to hire biohazard cleaning services. The biohazard cleaning technicians can only start doing their work after police have permanently released the scene.

The Blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (BOPIM) Standard

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

Nearly 5.6 million employees are helped by BOPIM in healthcare jobs and related occupations, and includes biohazard restoration companies as well. The BOPIM standard also covers the biohazard cleaning and restoration industry.

Also, the BOPIM standard has several requirements, including:

• 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

More Common Biohazard Scenarios

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

Every instance that technicians need to handle potentially hazardous materials, it is quite a significant risk. Thus, adhering to safety guidelines and proper training is necessary. The importance of these rules are both for the technicians and individuals who will later occupy the previously contaminated space. The technicians and residents depend on these safety guidelines. The safety of both technicians and tenants from biohazard dangers is of utmost importance during and after the project.

Does Biohazard Cleanup Require Certification?

Biohazard technicians are not obligated to obtain a specific certificate to do their work. They are subject to OSHA requirements, however, to don the proper PPE when working with or near bloodborne pathogens. We also suggest you check the local city, state, and federal regulations for certain licensing obligations, laws, background checks, fingerprinting or other possible requirements to do biohazard restoration. For example, the state of Georgia voted in a new law that corresponds to any company performing restoration services for crime scene and trauma remediation.

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

Reputable restoration companies provide biohazard restoration training for employees. Learning OSHA’s on-the-job safety methods for handling biohazard waste is a significant part in the coursework. The technician’s training greatly reduces the risk of potential lawsuits or injuries from accidents.

PuroClean Biohazard Cleanup Procedures

• Upon arrival, the remediation team will inspect and find all affected locations, conduct a health and safety assessment, and make a decision as to the scope of the biohazard cleanup. When the technicians have a plan in place, remediation begins right away.
• PuroClean 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 site.
• OSHA regulations will describe how hazardous medical waste is handled. As an example, spinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, and other bodily fluids are carefully handled and taken to a licensed hazardous medical waste incinerator.
• Per industry guidelines and state regulations, technicians have to dispose of porous materials such as fabric and carpeting that can’t be properly cleaned.
• Hospital-grade disinfectants are to be used on non-porous items that can be saved. If the items end up being non-restorable, our technicians will remove and dispose of such items.
• After the cleaning process, technicians will deodorize all affected areas 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 normally controlled by the removal of uncleanable contaminated items and cleaning with hospital-grade cleaning products. However, difficult situations could require further methods of deodorization to achieve the desired goal.

Empathetically Provided Biohazard Cleanup Services

PuroClean restoration specialists are very aware of their actions and make attempts to not add to an already stressful situation. With any sort of property damage, the feeling of loss experienced by the property owners is already quite high, and we try not to compound stress. Owners and technicians from PuroClean strive to be extra sensitive, with complete understanding of the extreme emotions and traumatic situations being experienced. PuroClean will always show empathy, extra care and attention.

The PuroClean RapidDefense™ Program by PuroClean

The PuroClean RapidDefense™ Program by Puroclean is the most favorable cleaning process. The PuroClean RapidDefense™ Program implements the application of EPA approved hospital-grade cleaning products in all public areas. This system aids in stopping the spread of illnesses of pathogen-based origin, like Norovirus, Influenza as well as the Novel coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19). The program’s process calls for using Environmental Protection Agency-registered cleaning solutions that are safe and offers 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!

Contact your local PuroClean when you’re in need of biohazard restoration professionals. PuroClean technicians will clean and remediate your contaminated areas. State-of-the-art equipment, tools and methods will be used by our specialists to effectively treat your damage.

The quality of our restoration services, the quickness in which we deliver these services, and the compassion of our team throughout this trying time, helps to make PuroClean your ideal biohazard damage restoration choice. We promise to do whatever it takes to help and rescue properties in all of the towns, cities, and communities with our service area.

*As not all PuroClean offices offer biohazard cleaning services, please contact the PuroClean home office at 800-775-7876 to help you find a PuroClean location that may be able to help you.

Cleaning and the use of hospital grade cleaners of frequently touched objects and surfaces are the required actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, like coronavirus. Since any surface can be contaminated after cleaning, and because the coronavirus is also spread person-to-person, PuroClean’s cleaning services are not guaranteed to stop 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.