Biohazard incidents require swift response — your health, the community’s well-being, and the environment are all at risk after hazardous spills, leaks, or other incidents. Some businesses need routine biohazard cleanup as the nature of their work continuously creates harmful materials that must be handled by professionals. Knowing how to choose the most professional, qualified biohazard cleaning company can ensure that you minimize risks and protect anyone who could be potentially affected by the hazardous material.
From crime scene cleanup to hospital cleanings to hoarding situations, ensuring that an environment with dangerous and potentially hazardous materials is critical. In this guide, we explore how to choose the right biohazard cleaning company for your needs.
What Are Biohazards?
Biohazards, or biological hazardous materials, include any substance that could be potentially harmful to humans and animals. These materials can also harm the environment and quickly spread throughout communities and local ecosystems without proper decontamination.
Biohazards include:
- Bodily fluids, such as blood and urine
- Medical waste materials, such as surgical and autopsy byproducts, needles, and tools
- Animal waste, including carcasses and droppings
- Mold/fungi
- Viruses & bacteria
- Sewage backups
- Drug & clinical laboratories waste
Anything that can expose people to bacteria, microorganisms, fungi, and toxins is considered a biohazard and needs to be cleaned and disposed of by experts. Attempting to clean up biohazards on your own can be life-threatening. Do not attempt to handle the situation alone. Call ZMB Inc. in Watertown, WI, at 920-262-9471.
Choosing a Biohazard Cleanup Company
There are several factors to consider when exploring biohazard cleanup companies. Be sure to consider the following:
Certifications & Experience
A biohazard cleanup company must be trained and certified in biohazard cleanup regulations through the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Certifications from organizations like the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) are respected and considered industry-leading credentials.
Although biohazard technicians are not legally required to be certified, they should be able to demonstrate training and experience managing biohazard situations in accordance with OSHA standards.
Experience
Ask the company what types of biohazards they are familiar with and how they would go about handling your unique needs. They should be able to provide clear answers and details about their prior work that give you peace of mind.
Inquire about the company’s history with hazardous cleanup. What types of tools do they use? What regulations do they follow? What training do their technicians undergo? A company with a wide range of biohazard cleaning experience is more likely to be able to provide thorough, comprehensive service.
Responsiveness & Availability
Biohazard cleaning schedules may be routine, but many times, sudden needs arise that require immediate attention. A dependable company will offer 24-hour availability to ensure that you can access their help whenever you need it. You should always be able to access an expert to arrange for cleanup services in dangerous and time-sensitive situations.
Adherence to Local, State, & Federal Regulations
Ask the company what regulations and policies they follow regarding biohazardous waste disposal and disinfection. It is essential that they provide clear, concise answers to these questions. Knowing that the company you choose is well-versed in all relevant legislation will help prevent oversights and accidents that could cause serious consequences.
Additionally, you should ensure the company disinfects and cleans according to guidelines laid out by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
Insurance & Liability
Make sure that the company you work with is fully insured. They should have general liability coverage, worker’s compensation, and environmental liability insurance to safely perform their jobs. Fully insured companies are dedicated to the highest degree of professionalism, and they have the appropriate coverage to give their customers peace of mind in any situation.
Tools & Technologies
Ask the company about the types of tools, technology, and products they use in their biohazard cleaning services. Cleaning biohazardous materials requires more than simply removing the waste — the technicians must also thoroughly disinfect and decontaminate the area to ensure that no pathogens, bacteria, or toxins could infect people or animals.
Examples of tools and equipment such as personal protective equipment (PPE), HEPA vacuums, and biohazard waste containers.
Empathy & Discretion
Many biohazard incidents occur in incredibly sensitive and emotional situations, such as crime scenes and accident sites. The technicians responding to the call must be able to recognize the traumatic context of specific scenes and respond to the emotional needs and vulnerability of their clients.
In addition to offering thorough and comprehensive care, the technicians must also operate in a manner that ensures privacy.
What Does the Biohazard Cleanup Process Entail?
There are multiple stages involved in cleaning up biohazards. Our protocol includes:
- Inspection. We thoroughly inspect the site to determine the level of cleaning required to secure any present biohazard risks and decontaminate the environment.
- Secure & Setup. We ensure that the biohazards will not come in contact with anyone in the area or our technicians; then, we prep the site for disposal, disinfection, and decontamination.
- Waste Removal. Any biohazards present are removed and disposed of according to regulations.
- Cleaning & Disinfecting. After removing the material, we clean and sanitize the area to prevent airborne spread and eliminate any material that has contaminated surfaces such as floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture. Walls are sealed to prevent stains, and the air is professionally deodorized to ensure no airborne particles remain.
- Final Assessment. Our technicians perform another comprehensive inspection to ensure that all biohazards have been removed and no risks to people, animals, or the environment remain.
Responding to a Biohazard: Tips to Know
Avoid trying to clean up any hazardous material on your own. If you have access to personal protective equipment (PPE), wear it while you are in the location, but leave the scene as soon as possible. It is best to leave the area altogether, remove your clothing, and shower.
If you have been physically in contact with any biohazards, contact the authorities and seek emergency medical assistance. It is best to call 911 so the paramedics can take appropriate measures to protect themselves and help avoid the spread of contagions.
Follow the steps on ready.gov for additional assistance on handling biohazard exposure.
Once you are safe, proceed to contact a biohazard cleaning company near you. We offer professional biohazard waste removal and disinfection services whenever you need them.
Biohazard Cleanup Services in Dodge & Jefferson County, WI
Our experienced team of biohazard cleaning technicians is available to help you in any situation. With extensive knowledge of protocol, technology, and tools for every job, you can feel confident choosing us.
We recognize that those coping with a biohazard situation are often dealing with immense stress, grief, and trauma. Our compassionate staff is always available to answer your questions and respond to your needs with the utmost discretion.
You can contact ZMB Inc. in Watertown, WI, by calling 920-262-9471.
