Biohazard cleanup services are designed to clean, sanitize, and deodorize areas where tragedies have occurred. This includes accident injuries or fatalities, along with chemical spills or related mishaps. Biohazards refer to blood, animal, and human remains but also include chemical spills and agents. Law enforcement also calls on biohazard professionals to clean up crime scene areas. This, of course, is only when evidence has been collected during ongoing investigations. Biohazard teams have years of extensive industry experience with hazardous materials cleanup and site restoration.

How OSHA relates to biohazard cleaning services

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the governing body for protecting workers in different industries and applications. In 1991, the OSHA enacted guidelines and rules related to protecting workers from the risk of blood and infectious materials. This includes pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis B, and others. This was — and is still known as the BOPIM standard, which also mandates and governs rules for protecting biohazard cleaning crews.

The BOPIM rule has several requirements, including:

• Using the right equipment and gear to protect workers and civilians.
• Using work practice controls, best methods, and proper handling of hazardous medical waste materials.
• Biohazard professionals must be fully trained in safely transporting and disposing of potentially infectious materials. This protects the public as a whole as well as themselves.
• All employees must be full vaccinated and receive mandatory training when it comes to hazardous materials protection.
• Recordkeeping, data analysis, and regular improvements to techniques, services, and cleanup tools are essential.

What are common biohazard situations?

Accidents and mishaps can occur in the workplace at any time. In fact, over 5 million workers in the USA experience accidents and mishaps at work. While OSHA is designed to protect employees and staff (in-house and remote), there are times when accidents occur outside of brick and mortar establishments. This includes animal waste and remains stemming from accidents with livestock trailers. Car accidents are also notorious for causing extensive injuries — and sadly — fatalities.

Chemical spills and hazards are very common with trucks that have turned over. Similarly, suicide can result in exposure to blood and human remains. The same also goes for virus contamination — especially if vehicles carrying these vials to testing centers are involved in accidents. When these problems occur, biohazard professionals are immediately called in to clean up and protect the area as a whole.

Biohazard cleaning certification for professionals

Biohazard cleaning companies may differ in how they take care of spills and accidents. However, one common constant is the need to protect technicians and the public at large. This is why areas are immediately cordoned off to protect civilians. Law enforcement personnel are called in to protect these perimeters but cannot interfere in biohazard cleaning. Most technicians are fully certified and have been trained in safety procedures. They also perform thorough cleanup jobs and post-maintenance services as well.

While it’s not mandatory to have certification for biohazard technician jobs, OSHA training is essential. Similarly, technicians have to wear proper gear when dealing with blood pathogens. OSHA helps protect workers and the public as best as possible. They also inspect and test all equipment to ensure they are safe for use in accident areas. This includes fully bodysuits, gloves, and goggles that prevent hazardous materials from entering the body. The gear protects the skin, eyes, nose, and mouth while helping workers move easily while cleaning.

Seasoned and reputable bio-hazard cleaning companies also offer remediation training for technicians. This includes abiding by OSHA’s rules when it comes to safety methods. The latter helps reduce the risk of accidents and potential lawsuits from civilians in affected areas.