In most cases, dealing with biohazard materials means dealing with chemical spills, blood, human or animal remains. A traumatic event that resulted in injury or death are situations that call for biohazard restoration. The actual biohazard cleanup consists of cleaning, applying EPA approved hospital grade disinfectants, and deodorizing locations where traumatic events have occurred.

Biohazard Cleanup Services Include

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

Bear in mind that the state is not responsible for cleaning up a crime scene. After police investigators collect 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 pertaining to the crime.

The Blood Or Other Potentially Infectious Materials 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 more.

This standard helps protect close to 5.6 million employees in the healthcare field and similar occupations, which also includes biohazard remediation businesses. Biohazard restoration falls within the coverage 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)

Common Biohazard Situations

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

Each and every time that PuroClean professionals handle materials that are potentially hazardous, they are taking a chance of significant risk to their safety. This is why following proper safety methods and specific training procedures are necessary. Following these procedures is not only important to the technician’s safety, but for the safety of property owners who will later reside and occupy the affected space once the biohazard cleanup and restoration is finished.

Is Certification Needed to Perform Biohazard Cleanup?

Biohazard specialists are not required to obtain a certificate for their work. However, biohazard technicians are obligated, by OSHA, to wear appropriate 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 submit to background checks, fingerprinting, or additional actions. Georgia’s requirements are a prime example. The state passed laws that affect businesses who provide trauma and crime scene remediation.

PPE protects the safety of workers and is the last line of defense. This equipment protects the skin, eyes, mouth, nose and other body parts from being exposed to hazardous material. The extent of PPE used on each project may differ on different projects. However, PPE should always include full face protection, cut resistant and nitrile gloves, properly designated waterproof coveralls as well as a respirator.

Furthermore, reputable restoration companies offer biohazard remediation courses for technicians. That includes learning OSHA’s on-the-job safety procedures when working with biohazardous materials. Doing this reduces the risk of accidents and probable lawsuits.

Our Biohazard Cleanup Process

• First, the remediation crew will identify the affected areas, completes a health and safety assessment, and determines the scope of the biohazard cleanup. Once a plan is in place, remediation work begins as quickly as possible.
• Technicians then take precautions to maintain their safety and the safety of others near the cleanup site.
• All possible infectious materials are removed from the site and properly disposed of.
• Hazardous medical waste, such as spinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, and other bodily fluids, is handled in strict accordance with OSHA regulations and given to a licensed hazardous medical waste incinerator.
• Porous materials like fabric and carpeting that can’t be effectively cleaned are disposed of following industry guidelines and state regulations.
• Non-porous materials are either cleaned using hospital-grade disinfectants if they are salvageable, or taken away and disposed of if non-restorable.
• After cleaning is finished, technicians deodorize the affected locations, and will ensure all of the cleaned areas are returned to pre-loss conditions in appearance and cleanliness. One way to ensure that the areas have been cleaned and ready for occupancy is to have clearance testing performed by a licensed Industrial Hygienist.
• Removal of uncleanable contaminated materials, cleaning, and use of hospital-grade disinfectants are usually enough to dissipate odors, and in some difficult situations, other procedures of deodorization are implemented to accomplish the desired air cleanliness.

Empathetically Provided Biohazard Cleanup Services

No matter if you’re the customer, occupant or owner of the project location, PuroClean realizes and understands the magnitude of pain you’re going through. Our restoration specialists strive to be exceptionally empathetic and understanding so as not to add to the sense of loss that may be felt. Biohazard remediation particularly can be extra traumatic. Therefore, all technicians empathize with all involved, showing the utmost compassion and respect throughout the restoration process.

The PuroClean RapidDefense™ Program

The RapidDefense™ Program by Puroclean is the optimal cleaning process. The RapidDefense™ Program uses the application of EPA approved hospital-grade disinfectants in all public areas. This system aids in blocking 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 products that are safe and offers protection against pathogens that will work up to three months. To help you create a clean environment, reach out to PuroClean before an outbreak occurs.

For Biohazard Cleaning Services, Call PuroClean!

When in need of biohazard restoration services, call the PuroClean team to clean and restore the contaminated site. Our professionals use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to effectively clean and restore the affected areas.

PuroClean’s dedication to quality, compassion and speed of delivery throughout the complete project propels us above all other competition, and makes us the top choice in the industry. PuroClean vows to go the extra mile to rescue, clean and restore required locations in all communities within 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 disinfectants of frequently touched items and surfaces are the recommended actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, 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 COVID-19. 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.