Understanding exactly what a biohazard is can be important. You might think this only refers to chemical spills or needles, but it extends far beyond those. Any time there is a biohazard situation, there will be specific protocols and needs for cleaning to keep everyone safe.
Take a look at this guide to better understand what the terminology means and when you should plan for cleaning from specialty teams.
What is a Biohazard?
The very definition of a hazard like this is any risk to human health or the environment from microorganisms or biological substances.
If the substance in question is harmful to life, it’s a hazard. Here are some examples:
- Viruses or substances that could contain viruses
- Fecal matter
- Blood
- Body matter
- Vomit
- Urine
- Chemicals
The need for cleaning in these circumstances could range from trauma to chemical spills and crime scenes. There are very specific rules regarding safety and exposure.
These are some scenarios in which you might need biohazard cleanup.
Death, Trauma, & Blood
If someone passes away, whether from a crime or peaceful death, there will likely be the need for cleanup afterward. In most cases, death involves bodily fluids. In the event of a crime or traumatic death, there could be blood or body matter at the scene too.
Not only will the immediate space need to be cleaned carefully and disinfected, but any surrounding surfaces that could have been exposed also need to be cleaned and disinfected.
Animal or Human Waste
Fecal matter and other forms of waste could contain viruses, diseases, or other bacteria within them. It’s not safe to clean these up on your own without doing it right. Any time there is waste left behind, you may need additional help with cleaning.
It’s one thing to safely clean up after your own pet or even an accident from an at-home family member. But cleaning up after unknown animals and humans is a hazard.
Chemicals
When chemicals spill, there could be hazards from exposure to worry about. Chemical spills fall into different categories. How they must be cleaned will depend on the spilled materials and where they landed.
This has to be cleaned up. Surrounding areas will also require cleaning in order to ensure there is no additional exposure.
Cleaning Safety Requirements
There are very specific needs when it comes to safety in these circumstances. Not only do you have to protect the area until it’s sufficiently cleaned and sanitized, but you also have to follow rules for cleaning and disposal.
One of the most important details is ensuring you don’t come into direct contact with whatever substance needs to be cleaned up. Breathing equipment or hazmat suits may also be necessary in some cases.
Disposal of the substances and any affected items also requires specialized procedures. And to finish the process, every possible surface has to be completely disinfected to be safe again.
Use Professional Cleaning
When you have a biohazard situation, it’s important to use a trained and certified specialist for the cleanup process. Semper Fi is here to help you tackle these risks. Our team is fully licensed for the home or office setting. Just give us a call!
