Biohazard Cleaning: What It Is and When You May Need It
A property can look clean while still containing material that needs careful handling. Blood, bodily fluids, sewage and other biological waste may affect surfaces, furnishings or building materials. When that happens, the work can involve more than wiping down what you can see.
Biohazard cleaning is the assessment, removal and cleaning of biological contamination using methods suited to the material, the surfaces involved and the risks at the site.
What counts as a biohazard?
A biohazard is biological material that could pose a health risk if someone comes into contact with it. In a property, this may include:
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Blood and other bodily fluids
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Human or animal waste
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Sewage contamination
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Material associated with decomposition
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Items or surfaces contaminated by these materials
The extent of the problem is not always clear from a photograph. Liquid can reach carpet, underlay, joins, porous surfaces or spaces beneath fittings. An on-site assessment helps establish what needs cleaning and whether any material needs to be removed.
When specialist cleaning might be needed
People contact biohazard cleaners after a range of events, including an unattended death, a traumatic incident, a serious injury, a sewage overflow or contamination discovered during a property cleanout.
Each situation is different. A small spill on a hard surface may be managed differently from contamination that has soaked into flooring or been left for some time. The aim is to understand what happened, limit further contact with the affected area and choose an appropriate response.
What happens during a biohazard clean-up
The work begins with an assessment of the affected area. From there, a cleanup plan may include restricting access, selecting suitable protective equipment, removing contaminated items or materials, cleaning affected surfaces, applying an appropriate disinfectant where needed, and arranging suitable waste handling.
The exact steps depend on the site. Some materials can be cleaned; others may need to be removed. A final review checks that the agreed work has been completed, but visual inspection alone cannot prove that every possible biological hazard has been eliminated. Any testing or independent verification needed should be discussed for the particular job.
If you come across a biological situation - Keep people and pets away from the affected area where practical, and avoid handling contaminated items unnecessarily. If there has been an injury, an immediate danger or an active sewage problem, deal with that urgent issue first.
When you contact a cleaning company, it helps to share what happened, where the contamination is, how long it may have been there, and whether carpet, furniture or building materials are affected. Photos can help with an initial conversation, although they may not show the full extent.