Biohazard Cleanup Services in the TriCities

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 taken place. 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
• Hoarding Cleanup
• 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 cleanup of the scene. When police release the scene, the responsibility is with the owner of the premises to procure biohazard cleaning services. The biohazard cleaning technicians can only begin their work after police have officially released the scene.

The Blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (BOPIM) Standard

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

BOPIM helps protect nearly 5.6 million workers in the healthcare industry and similar occupations, which also includes biohazard remediation specialists. Biohazard remediation falls within the scope of the BOPIM standard.

Also, the BOPIM standard consists of several requirements, including:

• 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)

More Common Biohazard Scenarios

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

Every occurrence that technicians need to handle potentially hazardous materials, it is performed at a significant risk. Thus, adhering to safety guidelines and proper training is necessary. The significance of these guidelines are both for the technicians and residents who will later occupy the previously biohazard affected space. The technicians and residents depend on these safety guidelines. The safety of both technicians and tenants from biohazard dangers is highly important during and after the project.

Biohazard Cleanup Certification Requirements

To be employed as a biohazard specialist, a certification is not required. However, biohazard technicians are strongly required to wear correct PPE when working in areas with bloodborne pathogens. The state of Georgia recently passed legislation which affects any business providing cleanup services related to trauma and crime scene cleaning and restoration. Therefore, you need to review and follow local city, state, and federal laws that may call for specific licensing or have certain rules and regulations in place for licensing requirements, background checks, fingerprinting or additional factors that may apply to biohazard cleanup performance.

To help ensure the safety of our technicians, PPE is used as the last line 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 specific items change depending on the job, but needs to always consist of cut resistant and nitrile gloves, full face guard, appropriately designated waterproof coveralls, and a respirator.

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

PuroClean Biohazard Cleanup Procedures

• Upon arrival, the remediation team will inspect and identify all affected locations, conduct a health and safety assessment, and make a determination as to the scope of the biohazard project. When the crew has a plan laid out, remediation begins immediately.
• PuroClean will first take measures to ensure their safety and the safety of others near the affected areas.
• Technicians then remove and dispose of all potentially infectious items from the project.
• 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 removed and taken to a certified 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 properly cleaned.
• Hospital-grade disinfectants will 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 ensures areas are totally cleansed and ready for people is to have a licensed industrial Hygienist conduct clearance testing.
• Odors are usually controlled by the getting rid of uncleanable contaminated materials and cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectants. However, difficult situations could require further methods of deodorization to achieve success.

Biohazard Cleanup Services Provided with Empathy

As with any type of property damage, PuroClean restoration professionals ensure that any actions do not worsen your feeling of loss of the property owners. PuroClean proprietors and technicians are exceptionally sensitive, understanding that those involved may be emotionally vulnerable. When dealing with this type of restoration, it is important to always show extra care and compassion. PuroClean technicians empathize with all materially interested individuals dealing with these traumatic events.

The RapidDefense™ Program by PuroClean

PuroClean has adopted a cleaning method that we feel is the best way to clean. The PuroClean RapidDefense™ Program consists mainly of the application of EPA approved hospital-grade disinfectants in public areas. The 2019 Novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Norovirus, Influenza and other pathogen-based illnesses are the goal of our RapidDefense™ Program, helping to stop the spreading of such contaminants. Environmental Protection Agency-registered, safe products are used for this process for up to three months of protection from pathogens. Contact PuroClean to stop an outbreak and help build a safe and clean environment.

For Biohazard Cleaning Services, Call PuroClean!

Contact your local PuroClean when you require biohazard restoration services. PuroClean technicians will clean and remediate your contaminated areas. State-of-the-art equipment, tools and procedures will be used by our technicians to effectively treat your damage.

The expert level of our restoration services, the quickness that we deliver these services, and the compassion of our team throughout this difficult time, helps to make us your ideal biohazard damage restoration choice. We vow 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 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 objects and surfaces are the recommended actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, like coronavirus. Since any surface can be re-contaminated after cleaning, and since 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.