When you have a crime scene or accident on your hands, how do you handle clean up? With the potential for encountering dangerous materials, let professionals do the dirty work. After all, you don’t want to leave behind contaminants or evidence of trauma that could hurt your health.
Read on to learn what to expect from biohazard cleanup services!
What Is Biohazard Cleanup?
Biohazard cleanup involves cleaning and sanitizing spaces where traumatic events have occurred. This can include tackling crime scene cleanup, post-accident scenes, or sewage. It also can include cleaning up hoarding situations and disinfecting after animal infestations.
Bodily fluids, tear gas, and drugs can contaminate surfaces and pose a significant health risk to those in the contaminated zone. Trained technicians will follow a specific biohazard cleanup process to eradicate the problem.
Prevent Cross-Contamination
A biohazard cleanup company will locate and contain the situation first. The crew may establish a safe zone for contaminant-free tools and gear they’ll need during the cleanup process. Ultimately, the goal is to prevent dangerous chemicals or air from spreading.
Those doing the cleaning should have completed OSHA training to use personal protective equipment. They’ll also be trained to use advanced cleaning techniques and disposal processes.
The goal is to eliminate bloodborne pathogens and other infectious materials. Teams will turn to EPA-approved cleaners and disinfectants to get the job done.
Remove Infected Items
Any upholstered furniture or other items infected will need to be removed from the premises. Left untreated, blood stains can transfer bloodborne diseases and damp areas can breed mold spores.
Technicians will use biohazard bags to contain infected items. Likewise, any towels or cleaning cloths will be safely disposed of. Bags will be sealed, labeled, and taken to a licensed waste disposal facility.
Get Assistance with Insurance Claims
It may be possible to get some or all of a biohazard cleanup covered by insurance. But as a home or business owner, do you know how to explain the situation?
A biohazard cleanup company will be able to help file a claim. They’ll have the air quality test results to verify the presence of dangerous contaminants. Plus they’ll know the technical language to describe the scene and their remediation process.
Test for Residual Contaminants
Once a space looks clean, it still may be hiding chemicals or airborne contaminants. For instance, following a fire, it will be critical to test the air for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Or a basement may continue to smell unpleasant after a sewage leak, even following a cleaning.
A thorough biohazard cleanup company will test air quality and surfaces for signs of residual contaminants. This service ensures the air is free of nonvisible waste and that it has been deodorized. They’ll have the training and professionalism to tackle any biohazardous situation!
Understand Biohazard Cleanup Procedures
When you grasp the steps involved in biohazard cleanup, you can trust that an affected area can be restored. Trained technicians will use medical-grade cleaners and remove affected items. They’ll also test air quality to confirm that contaminants and odors are gone.
Learn more about how to maintain a clean space. Check back for new articles!