Biohazard Cleanup – What, When and Why?

9/24/2021 (Permalink)

When you hear the word “Biohazard”, what comes to mind? You may think of situations such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. But biohazards also stem from traumatic events where blood, human or animal residues, chemical spills, and more are involved. They include these scenarios:

• Crime or homicide scenes
• Suicide or death
• Sewage backups
• Hoarding scenes
• Animal waste or remains
• Chemical/drug hazards
• Virus contamination
• Accident cleanup

Biohazard cleanup involves cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing areas where such traumatic events have occurred. Cleanup after these events is a serious business that not just anyone can handle. The threats involved caused by bacteria, viruses, and infectious diseases can put your health and safety at risk. Frequently, these pathogens are invisible, making cleanup an even more problematic task for the inexperienced.

You may think that if the police are involved, someone else will clean up the aftereffects. But the state of Missouri isn’t responsible for cleaning up crime scenes. After police investigators collect evidence from a scene, it’s up to the property owner to hire a biohazard remediation company like SERVPRO of Springfield / Greene County. But we can arrive onsite only after the police have gathered enough evidence related to the crime.

SERVPRO of Springfield / Greene County is trained in the cleanup and remediation of all types of trauma situations. We have a team of highly professional experts who have experience in these matters who follow proper training and safety procedures. We specialize in fast and thorough cleanup work to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved.

Does Biohazard Cleanup Require Certification?

To become a biohazard technician, obtaining certification is not required. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does require biohazard technicians to properly wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with bloodborne pathogens, because every time technicians handle potentially hazardous materials they’re put at significant risk.

The SERVPRO of Springfield / Greene County team employs state-of-the-art protective equipment and cleanup processes that follow strict safety protocols outlined by OSHA and EPA. Furthermore, we provide up-to-date bioremediation training for technicians that includes best practices, proprietary methods, and safety compliance.

The SERVPRO Biohazard Cleanup Process

• We start cleanup efforts as quickly as possible.
• We remove all potentially infectious materials from the site.
• Hazardous medical waste is handled in compliance with OSHA regulations. It’s then processed and sent to a licensed hazardous medical waste incinerator.
• Technicians remove porous materials like fabric and carpeting following industry standards and Missouri state regulations.
• Non-hazardous materials are either removed or decontaminated and sanitized if they are considered salvageable.
• After cleanup and sanitization, affected areas are deodorized, and walls and flooring may be sealed to cover any remaining stains from the incident.

SERVPRO strives to be exceptionally sensitive to these situations by showing extra care and compassion and we do our best to understand that those involved may be emotionally vulnerable.

As with any type of property damage, SERVPRO of Springfield / Greene County restoration professionals ensure that their actions don’t worsen the sense of loss of the property owners. Before we’re able to arrive on the scene, follow these tips to protect yourself and your property.