Biohazard Cleanup Services in Westerville

Biohazard remediation involves cleaning, application of EPA approved hospital grade disinfectants, and deodorizing locations where a traumatic event such as an accident, injury, or death has happened. Thus, dealing with biohazards often means working with blood, human or animal remains, chemical spills, and more hazmat cleanup.

Biohazard Hazmat 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 state investigators aren’t required to clean crime scenes. When police and investigators are finished gathering their evidence, the responsibility falls to the property owner to arrange for hazmat cleanup professionals. Only after the authorities have collected all evidence and have re-opened the scene will biohazard cleanup professionals start their work.

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 possibly infectious materials (BOPIM). Infectious pathogens include the Hepatitis B virus, HIV, the 2019 Novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and many more.

Approximately 5.6 million workers in healthcare and related occupations are helped by this standard. The biohazard remediation and hazmat cleanup field is also covered under the BOPIM standard.

Also, the BOPIM standard consists of several requirements, 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 Scenarios

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

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

Is Certification Needed to Perform Biohazard Hazmat Cleanup?

To work as a biohazard specialist, a certification is not required. However, biohazard technicians are strongly required to wear proper PPE when working around bloodborne pathogens. The state of Georgia recently passed legislation which affects any company providing hazmat cleanup services related to traumatic event locations and crime scene cleanup and restoration. Therefore, you need to review and follow local city, state, and federal requirements that may call for special licensing or have certain laws in place for licensing requirements, background checks, fingerprinting or additional factors that may apply to biohazard cleanup businesses.

PPE is the final line of defense and helps ensure the safety of workers. PPE equipment blocks hazardous material from reaching the body through the skin, eyes, mouth, nose, or any other area. Although PPE differs from project to project, it should always include full-face protection, cut resistant and nitrile gloves, properly designated waterproof coveralls, and a respirator.

Reputable and trustworthy remediation businesses train their employees to work in the biohazard restoration industry. This training includes teaching OSHA’s directions for handling biohazardous materials. This training protects everyone involved: technicians, bystanders, and future tenants. Furthermore, the chance of accidents and potential lawsuits reduces greatly.

The PuroClean Process of Biohazard Hazmat Cleanup

• First, the restoration crew identifies the affected areas, conducts a health and safety evaluation, and determines the scope of the biohazard project. Once a plan is in place, remediation work begins as quickly as possible.
• Biohazard specialists then take precautions to maintain their safety and that of other individuals near the cleanup site.
• All potentially infectious materials are removed from the site and properly disposed of.
• Hazardous medical waste, like spinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, and other bodily waste, is handled following 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 items are either cleaned using hospital-grade disinfectants if they are salvageable, or taken away and disposed of if non-restorable.
• After cleaning is completed, technicians deodorize the affected areas, and will ensure all of the cleaned areas are returned to pre-loss conditions in appearance and cleanliness. One way to guarantee that the areas have been cleaned and ready for occupancy is to have clearance tests performed by a licensed Industrial Hygienist.
• Removal of uncleanable contaminated materials, cleaning, and use of hospital-grade disinfectants are often enough to control odors, and in some difficult situations, other means of deodorization are used to accomplish the desired effects.

Empathetically Provided Biohazard Hazmat Cleanup Services

PuroClean restoration professionals are very aware of their actions and make attempts to not add to an already stressful situation. With any type of property damage, the feeling of loss experienced by the property owners is already quite high, and we try not to add to this stress. Owners and technicians of PuroClean strive to be extra sensitive, with full understanding of the extreme emotions and traumatic situations present. PuroClean will constantly show empathy, extra care and compassion.

The PuroClean RapidDefense™ Program

PuroClean’s RapidDefense™ is the best way to clean, which includes the application of EPA approved hospital-grade disinfectants in public areas. Our system helps stop the spread of pathogen-based illnesses, such as Influenza, Norovirus, and the 2019 Novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This procedure uses Environmental Protection Agency-registered, safe products to provide up to three months of protection against pathogens. Contact us prior to 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 areas. State-of-the-art equipment, tools and procedures will be used by our specialists to effectively treat your damage.

The quality of our remediation services, the quickness in which we deliver them, and the empathy we demonstrate during the process make PuroClean your ideal damage restoration company. We vow to do whatever it takes to clean, clea, restore and rescue properties in all the communities we serve.

*As not all PuroClean offices offer biohazard hazmat cleanup 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 objects 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 since the coronavirus is also spread person-to-person, PuroClean’s cleaning services can’t be 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 regarding coronavirus, its spread, and prevention.