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How to Dispose of Blood and Body Fluids Safely

Both body fluids and blood may contain viruses that can jump from an infected person to a healthy person. Liquid biological waste should, therefore, be handled very carefully. If an accident occurred at work, consider biohazard clean up service in Santa Rosa to clean and disinfect your office.

Reasons to Hire an Expert for Biohazard Cleanup

Following a traumatic event at work or home, one of the worst things you could do is to try to manage the cleanup process yourself as you’re highly likely to make a mistake that can put you and your employees/family members at risk. Biohazard cleanup requires expertise. It’s, therefore, important, that the cleanup be promptly carried out by knowledgeable professionals.

Biohazard cleanup specialists are aware of the risks associated with biohazard cleanup. They know the ins and outs of the biohazard cleanup process and follow best practices to prevent contamination. Biohazard cleanup services in Santa Rosa use specialized tools and advanced technology to remove and dispose of blood and body fluids safely and effectively.

Here are some good reasons to hire a professional to remove and dispose of these fluids.

Biohazard Cleanup can be Traumatic

Biohazard cleanup can take an emotional toll on your employees. When carrying out cleanups, cleanup teams must handle human blood, bodily fluids, or even decomposing bodies. Amateurs can easily get repulsed by blood and body fluids strewn across accident and crime sites. They may struggle to cope with the resulting trauma, which can leave a lasting impact on their psyche. Biohazard cleanup specialists have undergone intense training that desensitizes them to sights of blood and body fluids scattered around.

Legalities Involved

After a traumatic incident occurs at a business, the business owner is legally responsible to ensure the building is cleaned thoroughly. They cannot expect their cleaning staff to deal with the aftermath of a traumatic event. Businesses that handle cleanup themselves run the risk of exposing their employees and office visitors to deadly bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis B or HIV.

Professional biohazard cleanup teams are equipped with personal protective gear designed to protect users from deadly viruses and bacteria. They follow cleanup protocols and use tried and tested sanitization methods to clean up blood and body fluids thoroughly.

Help Prevent Property Damage

Failure to promptly and properly remove biohazards and bloodstains can lead to irreversible damage. Bloodstains not only discolor but also weaken structures and furnishings, speeding up their deterioration. If blood spills on carpets aren’t removed immediately and properly, they can cause serious, even irreparable damage to their fibers. Improper blood and body fluid removal not only affects the aesthetics of the property but also allows stains to settle, making removal more challenging.

Biohazard cleanup specialists have acquired specialized skills. Reputable professionals are certified and trained to carry out cleanups. Their skills and know-how enable them to remove different types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which can cause property damage.

Blood and body fluids can seep into the structures of a building. As a result, a potent odor can become trapped within their pores. After a traumatic event, even if biohazards are visibly removed, odors can linger in the environment. A skilled professional understands how to effectively eliminate these odors.

You Will Save Time and Money

If you decide to carry out biohazard cleanup yourself, you must invest in professional-grade cleanup equipment, which can be very expensive. Also, if you make a mistake at any point during the cleanup, all your hard work thus far may go down the drain, and you may have to go back to the drawing board, which can be frustrating.

A biohazard cleanup professional is trained to handle biohazard cleanups from start to finish. They plan in advance to avoid the pitfalls of biohazard cleanup. When you hire a specialist for biohazard cleanup, you need not invest in expensive cleanup equipment as professionals have their own cleanup tools.

A Biohazard Cleanup Specialist Can Help Ease the Insurance Claim Process

Some insurance companies require their clients to hire a biohazard cleanup service in Santa Rosa for cleanup after a traumatic incident has occurred at their property before filing an insurance claim. A biohazard cleanup professional can compile notes and forward them to your insurer, helping ensure the claims processing team has all the information it needs.

Disposing of Blood and Body Fluids

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of proper blood and body fluids removal and disposal following a traumatic incident. Failure to remove them properly can open up a box of problems. Your employees can accidentally come in contact with blood and body fluids. Also, if blood and body fluids aren’t removed properly, you may have to deal with deeply entrenched stains down the road.

Here are some tips to dispose of blood and body fluids properly.

Use Personal Protective Equipment

Body fluids are known to contain viruses and bacteria that can enter a person’s body through their eyes, noses, mouth during cleanup. Additionally, there is a risk of infection through broken skin. Also, some cleaning agents may contain harmful chemicals that can cause skin irritation, dermatitis, or eye damage. Due to these reasons, it is strongly advised that individuals cleaning and disposing of blood and bodily fluids wear the following personal protective equipment (PPE).

  • A disposable plastic apron
  • Goggles
  • A disposable coveralls (must have a hood)
  • Waterproof disposable overshoes
  • Waterproof, abrasion resistant, and needle-resistant gloves (if the cleanup involves removing and disposing of needles or other sharp objects)

 

Cleanup Equipment

Biohazard cleanup services in Santa Rosa use the following cleanup equipment to remove and dispose of blood and body fluids.

  • Biohazard waste bags made of heavy-duty plastic
  • Absorbent powder or vomit powder with disinfectant granules formulated to instantly absorb body fluids including urine and vomit
  • Dustpans and brushes or scrapers
  • A sponge, cloth or mop to wipe surfaces with a disinfectant

Place used absorbent powder, contaminated disposable PPE, and heavily soiled clothing, bedding, or soft furnishings in biohazard or clinical waste bags. Do not mix these items with your regular waste.

Most biohazard cleanup services in Santa Rosa use the following step-by-step process to dispose of liquid infections waste:

  • The team prepares a fresh 10 percent bleach solution (Many providers use Clorox bleach as it is the only EPA approved bleach)
  • The bleach solution is poured in equal volume over the liquid waste. For example, if its a 2 liter culture, 2 liters of the bleach solution is poured over it
  • The mixture is allowed to sit over the culture for 10 minutes
  • The surface is rinsed with water

 

Steps to Take After Biohazard Cleanup and Disposal

After completing a biohazard cleanup, the cleanup expert cleans and disinfects the affected surfaces. They then:

  • Wash their hands thoroughly with hot soapy water (with their gloves still on) and dry them with an absorbent material
  • With their gloves still on, they carefully take off their apron, coveralls, and any other personal protective equipment (except the gloves). The professional proceeds cautiously and avoids touching their skin or clothing during this process and afterwards. Potentially infectious materials are securely bagged for disposal, whereas reusable cleanup equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Disposables are kept separate from reusable equipment
  • The professional washes their hands with soapy water a second time, dries them with an absorbent material, removes their gloves and disposes them of

 

West Coast Fire & Water offers a complete range of biohazard cleanup services in Santa Rosa and throughout Sonoma County. Our biohazard cleanup specialists bring years of experience and specialized skills and knowledge to the table. To schedule a professional cleanup, call 707-462-5326.