In most cases, working with biohazard materials means dealing with chemical spills, blood, human or animal remains. A traumatic accident that caused an injury or death are situations that require biohazard cleanup. The actual biohazard cleanup involves cleaning, applying EPA approved hospital grade disinfectants, and deodorizing locations where traumatic events have taken place.

Biohazard Cleanup Services Include

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

Keep in mind that the state is not responsible for cleaning up a crime scene. Once police investigators gather evidence from the scene, it is the responsibility of the property owner to employ biohazard cleaning services. A professional cleanup team can arrive onsite only after the police have gathered enough evidence related to the crime.

BOPIM Standard

The (BOPIM) standard means “blood or other potentially infectious materials”. Infectious pathogens are generally anything from Hepatitis B, HIV, and even the 2019 Novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and much more. In 1991, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) set forth a standard to protect all employees from dangers due to blood or other possible infectious materials (BOPIM).

This standard helps protect approximately 5.6 million employees in the healthcare industry and similar occupations, which also includes biohazard remediation businesses. Biohazard remediation falls within the scope of the BOPIM standard.

The BOPIM standard also has a few requirements, as follows:

• 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

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

Every time technicians handle potentially hazardous materials, they are doing so at considerable risk. Thus, following specific proper training and safety procedures are very important. This is important not only for their own personal safety but also for the individuals who will live or work in the property after the biohazard remediation is complete.

Biohazard Cleanup Certification Requirements

Biohazard specialists are not obligated to obtain a specific certificate to perform their work. They are subject to OSHA requirements, however, to use the proper PPE when working with or around bloodborne pathogens. We also recommend you check the local city, state, and federal regulations for exact licensing obligations, laws, background checks, fingerprinting or additional requirements to perform biohazard restoration. For example, the state of Georgia put forth a new law that is connected to any company working in restoration services for crime scene and trauma cleanup.

Personal Protective Equipment or PPE stands as the final line of protection that helps keep workers safe. PPE guards against any hazardous materials from coming into contact with workers, through skin, eyes, nose, mouth, or any other contact. Particular PPE can differ depending on the project, however, it should always consist of properly designated waterproof coveralls, nitrile gloves which are also cut resistant, full-face protection, and a respirator.

Furthermore, reputable restoration companies offer biohazard remediation classes for workers. That includes learning OSHA’s on-the-job safety procedures when working with biohazardous materials. Doing this reduces the potential of accidents and probable legal action against you.

PuroClean Biohazard Cleanup Process

• The first step of the restoration crew is to inspect and flag all areas needing biohazard cleanup, perform a health and safety inspection, and identify the scope of the biohazard cleanup. When the specialists have a plan mapped out, restoration begins immediately
• All technicians will take precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of anyone close to the biohazard affected locations.
• The PuroClean technicians will then eradicate and dispose of all possibly infectious materials from the project.
• OSHA rules dictate exactly how hazardous medical waste is to be handled. For example: spinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, and any additional bodily fluids are carefully handled and relocated to a licensed hazardous medical waste incinerator.
• According to state regulations and industry guidelines, technicians are obligated to dispose of porous materials such as fabric and carpeting that cannot be sufficiently cleaned.
• Non-porous items that are salvageable will be cleaned with hospital grade disinfectants. If these items are unable to be restored, our technicians will cart off and dispose of the items.
• Following the cleaning process, technicians deodorize all affected locations and return these places to pre-contamination shape and appearance. One thing to do that proves areas are completely cleaned and ready again for occupancy is to have a licensed industrial Hygienist perform clearance testing.
• Odors can normally be managed by the eradication of unsalvageable contaminated materials and by cleaning items with hospital-grade disinfectants. However, difficult situations may call for further procedures of deodorization to accomplish success.

Providing Biohazard Cleanup Services with Empathy

PuroClean restoration professionals are very aware of their actions and make attempts to not add to an already trying situation. With any type of property damage, the feeling of loss experienced by the property owners is already very present, and we try not to compound stress. Owners and technicians of PuroClean try very hard to be extra sensitive, with complete understanding of the vulnerable emotions and traumatic situations present. PuroClean will always show empathy, extra care and attention.

The PuroClean RapidDefense™ Program

PuroClean has adopted a cleaning method that we feel is the most adequate way to clean. The PuroClean RapidDefense™ Program includes the application of EPA certified hospital-grade disinfectants in common areas. The 2019 Novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Norovirus, Influenza and other pathogen-based germs are the goal of our PuroClean RapidDefense™ Program , helping to stop the spread of such contaminants. Environmental Protection Agency-registered, safe solutions are used for this process for up to 90 days of protection from pathogens. Contact PuroClean to stop an outbreak and help create a safe and clean environment.

For Biohazard Cleaning Services, Call PuroClean!

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

The high standard of PuroClean’s remediation services, the timeliness that we can deliver a completed project, and our authentic empathy all exhibit why we are the right choice for your biohazard remediation cleanup needs. PuroClean promises to rescue and restore all properties within our service areas.

*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 items and surfaces are the much needed actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, like coronavirus. Since any location can be re-contaminated after cleaning, and since the coronavirus is also spread person-to-person, PuroClean’s cleaning services can’t 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 about coronavirus, its spread, and prevention.