Facing the awful job of dealing with a biohazard cleanup? Most people don’t have a clue where to start, but fortunately there are cleaning companies that specialize in biohazards. It’s better to leave the smell, the mess, and the pathogens to professionals.
They’re called biohazards for a good reason – the same reason the people who handle them wear PPE: they can make you very sick or even kill you. Biohazard cleanup is not a DIY kind of situation.
How to Make Sure You’re Getting the Best Cleanup Team
When it comes to choosing the right biohazard cleaning company, there are several things to consider. It should go without saying that you want to find a company that has a lot of experience, but beyond that, here are some things to keep in mind:.
- Whatever the cause of the biohazard, accident, crime, or other cleanup situation, the company you choose should be courteous, professional, and compassionate. Even though they deal with grim situations on a daily basis, clean up crews should be able to empathize with you.
- Be very sure you’re calling the right sort of business. Do not confuse biohazard cleaners with garden variety house and business cleaning services that come in and dust, dump trash cans, and vacuum. Special training is needed to know how to deal with all the different kinds of biohazards, including blood, tissue, bodily fluids, chemicals, human and animal waste, sewage, mold, and viruses.
- Make sure that cleaners follow all local and state regulations for dealing with biohazards. Most of these are not about the actual cleanup but the handling of waste. At present there are no national standards to abide by. Every state and local government does its own thing. It’s also important to make sure the company you choose follows OSHA regulations to protect their employees.
- Since there is no national oversight or certification of biohazard cleaners, it’s on you to make sure they are reliable and thorough. Hunt down real, honest reviews to see what other clients’ experiences have been. Also, the company should be able to share before and after photos of scenes, though it’s impossible to tell from a photo whether biohazards are still present. Do your best to do due diligence here. It’s better to discover ahead of time if a company has a bad reputation.
- Ask whether they can test when the cleanup is finished to find out whether or not any contamination remains.
- Waste management is a major part of any biohazard cleanup. Treating items contaminated with biohazards like regular trash is a huge no-no. Make sure the company you choose is properly licensed to transport and dispose of biohazardous material.
- Finally, ask if they will help with any related paperwork. If insurance covers the cleanup, will they assist in filing? Also, if the biohazard cleanup resulted from a crime, you may be eligible for financial help. All states have Crime Victim Compensation programs, although they don’t all include aid for cleanup. The company you choose should be able to give you some direction in these areas.
Who to Call for Biohazard Cleanup in Southern California, Nevada, and Arizona
Sterile Pros has ten years of experience in crime scene and biohazard cleaning. Their cleanup teams handle the unpleasant work efficiently and with compassion. Sterile Pros makes what can be a very tough, emotional situation a little easier to deal with.