Biohazard remediation involves cleaning, application of EPA approved hospital grade disinfectants, and deodorizing property where a traumatic event like an accident, injury, or death has occurred. Thus, projects with biohazards often means dealing with blood, human or animal remains, chemical spills, and more.

Included Within The Biohazard Cleanup Services

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

When 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 crime scene area, the responsibility is with the owner of the premises to employ biohazard cleaning services. The biohazard cleaning crew can only begin 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) issued a standard to protect workers from the dangers 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.

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

Additionally, the BOPIM standard includes several prerequisites, 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

Common Biohazard Situations

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

PuroClean specialists face significant dangers each and every time they handle items that are potentially hazardous. For this reason, the use 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 tenants who will be occupying the area once the biohazard remediation is complete.

Does Biohazard Cleanup Require Certification?

Biohazard technicians are not required to get a certificate for their employment. However, biohazard technicians are required, by OSHA, to wear proper PPE while working around bloodborne pathogens. Furthermore, for technicians to perform biohazard restoration, local, city, state and federal regulations may call for licensing requirements. Laws may be in place that call for the technicians to be subjected to background checks, fingerprinting, or further actions. Georgia’s requirements are a good example. The state passed legislation that affects businesses who provide trauma and crime scene remediation.

To protect the safety of our employees, PPE is used as the final barrier of defense. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) protects the body from coming into contact with hazardous materials, via the skin, eyes, mouth, nose, or any other body parts. PPE types change depending on the job, but should always include cut resistant and nitrile gloves, full face guard, appropriately designated waterproof coveralls, and a respirator.

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

PuroClean Biohazard Cleanup Procedures

• Upon mobilization, the remediation specialists 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 laid out, remediation begins immediately.
• PuroClean will first take measures to ensure their safety and the safety of any individuals near the affected areas.
• Technicians then gather and dispose of all potentially infectious waste from the site.
• OSHA regulations will dictate how hazardous medical waste is handled. For example, spinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, and other bodily fluids are carefully removed and transported to a licensed hazardous medical waste incinerator.
• Per industry guidelines and state regulations, technicians have to get rid of porous materials such as fabric and carpeting that can’t be sufficiently cleaned.
• Hospital-grade disinfectants are to be used on non-porous items that can be saved. If the items prove to be non-restorable, our technicians will remove and discard such items.
• Following the cleaning process, technicians will deodorize all affected locations and assure the areas are returned to pre-contamination conditions and appearance. One procedure that ensures areas are totally cleansed and ready for occupancy is to have a licensed industrial Hygienist conduct clearance testing.
• Odors are normally controlled by the getting rid of uncleanable contaminated materials and cleaning with hospital-grade cleaning products. However, difficult situations may require further procedures of deodorization to achieve success.

Providing Biohazard Cleanup Services with Empathy

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

The PuroClean RapidDefense™ Program

PuroClean’s RapidDefense™ is the best way to clean, which includes the use of EPA approved hospital-grade cleaning solutions in public areas. Our system helps stop the spread of pathogen-based illnesses, such as Influenza, Norovirus, and the 2019 Novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The process uses Environmental Protection Agency-registered, safe solutions to provide up to three months of protection against pathogens. Contact us before an outbreak occurs to assist you in creating a clean atmosphere.

For Biohazard Cleaning Services, Call PuroClean!

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

The expert level of our restoration services, the quickness in which we deliver these services, and the compassion of our team throughout this difficult time, helps to make PuroClean your go-to biohazard damage restoration choice. We promise to do whatever it takes to restore 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 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 surface can be re-contaminated after cleaning, and because the coronavirus is also spread person-to-person, PuroClean’s cleaning services are not 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.