Why are costs for biohazard cleanup so high?

If someone dies as a result of natural causes, violent crime, murder or suicide in a residence or place of business, the burden of clean up typically falls on the property owner. Obviously this is a traumatic task that few people are willing to undertake themselves. But why are the costs for cleanup of these scenes so expensive?

Biohazard cleanup companies like Bio Clean Services guarantee the scene will be restored to it’s original pre-incident state after the victim has been removed from the scene.  There are several factors that determine the amount of time and services that our clients need. These factors are usually:

• How long was the death unattended

• Where it happened

• What type of scene it is (How it happened)

• What elements are in the scene where it occurred

If the body was in a decomposing state when removed, the cleanup is even more challenging because insects move into the body after death and may still be in the scene area after the body is removed by a coroner.  It’s customary to also have body fluids, liquefied skin and organ tissues that have soaked into carpeting, flooring or other surfaces in contact with the scene. The most difficult task is generally remediation of the smell from the scene as the body will release ammonia gases that permeate these areas and can linger for months.

Our technicians are required to wear protective suits and respirators and utilize OSHA and EPA compliant chemicals to decontaminate these areas. Special equipment is used and all waste materials must be properly placed in safety sealed bags and disposed of. This usually requires obtaining permits from local officials with specific directives on how the waste is to be transported and disposed.  Sometimes, medical-waste incinerators need to be used for this type of disposal.

Once the initial cleaning has been performed, it is necessary for Bio Clean Services to inspect every detail of these scenes utilizing special instruments and equipment to search for even the smallest trace elements of contamination (not seen with the visible eye). This inspection helps determine if the scene will need our construction crews to remove flooring, walls, insulation or other structural materials in effort to ensure proper cleaning for the safety of our clients.

As you can see from just a few short paragraphs, biohazard cleaning and decontamination of these types of scenes is more than a simple wash down with bleach. Obtaining permits, disposal charges, and construction costs are common factors that dictate what cleanup charges will be.

Depending on the circumstances, property owners may have coverage options through property insurance policies. In this regard, most companies will provide a service that handles all the paperwork for filing a claim. If insurance coverage is not available, they can also help their clients in contacting various charitable or religious organizations that can provide financial assistance.

Questions about biohazard cleaning

The most important thing in handling the crime scene clean up is that affected things should be cleaned in a way by which life will be danger free in future. It is imperative that one employs the help of the experienced bio hazard technicians who are certified and well trained to remove the fluid materials of body and blood or other biohazard materials.  Often there are various items such as walls, carpet, furniture, wallpaper, flooring, etc that will need to be disposed of in the red bio-hazard bags.  Disposal can usually be taken to a state-regulated and federal- regulated site. Laws do not permit the use of dumpster to dispose the items. According to the laws of federal and state, a bio-hazard clean up will need to store the records of the place where disposal is taken place and include what was disposed. It is suggested that these records be stored for 30 years. It’s also important that permits and certification information be retained for the same amount of time should they ever need to be reviewed.

Why is trauma and crime scene clean up so dangerous? The cleanup process of a scene may be easy and simple. But, clean up technicians have to be trained in how to handle materials to avoid contact with deadly diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases that can be occurred by affection of bio-hazards. Frequently sharp items that can puncture your skin are found to be present during clean up. It’s also possible that a cleaner’s mouth and eyes can be affected accidentally during the removal of biohazard items.

Why should someone call a biohazard clean up company?  When it comes to cleaning and removal from a biohazard trauma scene, family members, friends or people associated want to clean the scene themselves.  Seldom do they realize that the tasks are physically and emotionally overwhelming. Bio Clean Services is trained in the removal of biohazard items such as body fluids, decomposing bodies, human tissues, hypodermic needles, blood, etc.  Our technicians are fully trained and certified in the removal of these materials and have been specifically trained to restore a scene to a better than original condition. Utilizing a trained professional company like Bio Clean Services enables you to avoid the emotional distress of the work. Anyone attempting to clean a biohazard scene may also run the risk of certain liabilities should someone cleaning become exposed to harmful items and substances.

Who pays for biohazard and crime scene clean up? Depending on the circumstances and where the incident occurs, ordinarily the insurance company pays for the clean up. Every insurance carrier is different and certain restrictions may apply.  Anyone having to hire a professional clean up company should contact the insurance company to review these limitations; if any.

Violent crime scene biohazard cleanup

Violent crimes like home invasions, fighting and gun crimes can leave behind horrible trauma scenes. Violent crime scenes almost always contain blood, tissue matter and other biohazard elements that require certified biohazard crime scene cleanup.

Bio Clean Services provides services for crime, death and trauma scene clean up. We are experienced in blood clean up, removal of biohazard elements like blood  stained materials, body fluids and tissues from death scenes and home renovations that may be necessary to return the scene to a decontaminated safe area for the property owner.  Our company also provides additional services that relate to drug clean up and decontamination for incidents relating to this matter.

Ordinarily, when these types of crimes and traumas happen, it is the responsibility of the property owner to clean up the mess of the disaster left behind. Depending on the incident, there are organizations that assist with the costs of cleaning and remediation of these scenes. Some insurance companies also pay for these services.

Bio Clean Services has experience in working with these agencies and insurance companies to help the process go smoother.  We also realize that these traumatic events can be emotionally overwhelming to our clients. We provide discreet professional services and have the utmost compassion when dealing with victims and their families.  Because of the potential dangers and diseases that can be transmitted through cleaning these scenes, it’s important that you hire a professional company to perform these tasks. With every scene, there are trace elements of contamination and even airborne pathogens that can cause serious illness and sometimes be fatal if not handled properly.

We maintain the appropriate equipment and qualifications to perform these services and are accustomed to following OSHA and EPA guidelines on the jobs we perform.  We are also familiar with obtaining the necessary permits for disposal and other tasks that may need to be performed depending on where the incident occurs.  If you are in need of our services or would like additional information about the services we perform, please contact our office today.

How do you know if a Biohazard Cleanup Company is the right one for you?

In today’s society the amount of crimes, death and trauma are at an all time high.  Over the past several decades, the risk for potentially harmful diseases spread through blood, bodily fluids and other biohazard materials makes biohazard cleanup a dangerous task. Bio Clean Services performs certified biohazard remediation of all types of scenes.

How do you know if a Biohazard cleanup company is what you need? Any time there is a presence of blood, bodily fluids or matter from the human body present at a death, crime or trauma scene, you need to handle the cleanup of the affected area as if there are dangerous hidden pathogens that can cause death or harm to you.  In most cases that involve blood or other biohazards we do not know that current health conditions of the victims or deceased. Because of the increase in health compromises with HIV, Hepatitis C and other diseases, you should always hire a professional biohazard cleanup company like Bio Clean Services.

The company you hire should be certified and licensed to cleanup and handle biohazard remediation and disposal.  A reputable company will be able to provide proof of certifications, and the proper permits that adhere to the protocol for proper cleanup that have been set by your State or Federal government.  Beware of non-local companies who claim that they are certified in your area. It’s best to look for a company located within your state, that is licensed and insured and one that has no negative reputation for past jobs performed.

Police, emergency personnel and other agencies will sometimes make a referral to companies that have worked with them in the past for biohazard cleanup and management. Bio Clean Services services are police endorsed and we have an excellent history of satisfied clients and commercial businesses.

We offer 24 hour emergency dispatch for death, suicide, trauma and crime scene cleanup that involves blood and other biohazard materials that are potentially harmful to you. Our main objective is to completely remove any biohazards as soon as possible to help protect our clients and their properties.

If you experience an event that requires biohazard cleanup contact us immediately. We will work with you through every step of the process to ensure that your property is safe and biohazard free.

Automobile Blood Removal Services

Whether you are involved in an auto accident or experience a violent crime like gun violence or stabbing, blood in an automobile can be just as dangerous as any other scene. Bio Clean Services provides blood and biohazard removal from automobiles, homes, businesses and outdoor properties. With nearly two decades of experience, we are a certified biohazard cleanup company.

Blood, when making contact with materials inside of your car, can remain invisible for weeks to months after an incident or trauma occurs. On the surface, if you clean this yourself, you may think that you’ve completely removed all traces of blood and any biohazards but you have not.  When not properly cleaned and removed, blood can still contain infectious pathogens that remain alive and harmful for sometimes long periods of time after it’s exposed to air.

Weeks to months after an incident involving blood, you can experience horrific odors, infestation of bugs and stains that keep returning. Our trained technicians are able to completely remove all traces of blood and biohazards from your automobile. In some cases parts of your car’s interior or exterior may need to be completely removed and replaced.

The same applies to blood from animals as well. Often times people fail to remember that animals can carry potentially dangerous diseases that humans can contract through contact with animal blood and bodily fluids. These types of biohazards need to be cleaned and removed by a professional company like Bio Clean Services as well.

If you have experienced an accident or trauma with your vehicle, contact us immediately for clean up service. The faster the affected areas can be decontaminated and cleaned, the easier and more cost effective it is for you.

A look inside a biohazard cleanup company

Throughout the course of any day, whether pumping gas, running errands or simply driving through a city on the way to a job, our Bio Clean Services logo and uniforms spark the interests of many people. Some onlookers assume we’re a service that performs some form of environmental or occupational cleaning company, but we’re so much more.

Bio Clean Services offers the following services in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan & West Virginia:

• Crime Scene Clean Up
• Trauma Scene Clean Up
• Homicide, Murder Scene Clean Up
• Suicide Clean Up
• Biohazard / Blood Clean Up
• Unattended Death Clean Up
• Death Scene Clean Up
• Workplace Accident Clean Up
• Police & Emergency Vehicle Cleaning
• Jail Cell Clean Up
• …and More

Our number one priority is helping our clients recover from traumatic situations while returning these environments to clean, safe pre-incident conditions. Our services help clients overcome the emotional and physical hazards associated with these scenes in a professional and compassionate manner.

We’re often asked by people we come in contact with, “Why do you choose to do this line of work?” and our response is always the same….because we are passionate about helping our clients and we are dedicated in the promotion of safe, contaminate free area after tragedies occur.

 An ordinary Bio Clean Services client would be an individual who has to handle the cleanup of a death or suicide scene or an employer who needs remediation after a work place accident. We also deal with Police Departments, Fire Departments and Emergency Personnel, Funeral Homes or other governmental agencies needing biohazard clean up services. Due to the sensitive nature of our client’s grievance, we are required to be extremely empathetic and understanding about these situations. We try to convey through our work ethic and actions the same compassion that we would offer if it were our own family member or workplace experiencing the trauma.

If you or someone you know in our Service Area needs assistance in remediation of these types of scenes, please contact us immediately. We will work discreetly to handle all processes of clean up and are available for immediate dispatch to the scene.

Dangers associated with Violent Crime Cleanup inside a structure

Any tissue or bodily fluid is classified as a biohazard per Federal regulations.  Whenever a violent crime occurs within a building, or when a body begins to decompose within its interior, the surrounding building materials become contaminated with a variety of toxic agents. For example, blood stains on the carpet typically soak through the carpet and seep into the flooring beneath.  Effective environmental cleaning not only removes the biohazard from the carpet, but also from its supporting under structure.   Bio Clean Services is experienced in following all biohazard remediation protocols. We are trained to completely remediate any biohazards associated with the cleanup and remediation of Crime Scenes.

Special equipment, such as protective gear, must be worn by out trained technicians in order to protect them from the hazardous materials they are handling. Diseases such as the Flu, including Type A and H1N1, HIV/AIDS, Type A and B Hepatitis, TB, Cholera, and Salmonella are all diseases that can be transmitted from bodily fluids.  These fluids escape into the environment any time a body decomposes, whether a person commits suicide, is murdered, or suffers some type of tragic, accidental death. 

Because of these dangers, Bio Clean Services suggests that untrained individuals never attempt to cleanup a crime scene that involves biohazards. If you attempt to clean a biohazard scene and it’s not done properly, you may be held liable for procedures that weren’t followed and any health compromises caused to others as a result. The unknown potential dangers alone are enough to not attempt to do this on your own.

If you find yourself faced with the responsibility of cleanup from death, trauma or a violent crime, trust the professionals at Bio Clean Services to perform these services. We maintain all proper training, permits and have the equipment necessary to completely restore a biohazard scene to a safe environment.  Contact us today for more information on how we can protect you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime Scene Cleanup

Crime is something that the American population has become desensitized to because of the increased activity and coverage of the media and popular television shows like CSI. Rarely does anyone think about what happens after professionals investigating a crime scene are gone. Bio Clean Services performs crime scene cleanup and other services involving the cleanup of blood and biohazard materials. Often times when the general public sees our trucks or our staff in uniforms, they ask similar questions about what we do. Here are a few of the questions most frequently asked:

Why is it necessary to hire a Crime Scene Cleanup Company?

Every crime scene requiring cleanup has some physical risk potentials. Most commonly, the emotional turmoil experiences when a friend or relative attempts to cleanup a violent crime scene is what we see. In almost every crime scene we clean, there is the presence of blood, body fluids and other potentially infectious or harmful materials. These elements should never be cleaned by an untrained professional. If improper cleanup is performed, the crime scene may visibly appear safe but the harmful risks to those in contact with the scene can remain for months.

Is it dangerous to clean a crime scene?

The answer to this is always “YES”. Every crime scene is different but rarely do the affected parties know the entire scenario of what happened when the crime was committed. Because hazardous or infectious elements can often be present and not seen by the human eye, every scene must be cleaned following a strict protocol to ensure that the scene is returned to a safe area free from any biohazard. Untrained individuals are not familiar with these protocols and may be putting themselves and others at risk.

Who is responsible for crime scene cleanup?

Typically the property owner bears the responsibility of having the scene cleaned and decontaminated. If the crime or traumatic event occurs at a business, it may be the responsibility of the owner of the company and/or the property owner. There are several other questions that we are asked on a regular basis but the one constant reminder that we always tell anyone inquiring about what we do is “Never attempt to clean a crime scene yourself”. Hiring a certified biohazard cleanup company like Bio Clean Services will ensure that your property is decontaminated and cleaned properly. Anyone who performs improper cleanup can be liable in the event that anyone who comes in contact with a biohazard scene becomes affected.

Criminal sentenced to 39 months in prison on gun charge

www.cleveland.com

A man referred to in a news release as "one of Akron's most dangerous individuals" by Police Chief James Nice was sentenced Wednesday to 39 months in federal prison.

Joe Fletcher III, 27, was indicted on state charges in February 2014 with having a weapon while under disability and menacing.

Then, at Nice's request, U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach's office took over the case and a federal grand jury issued an indictment accusing Fletcher of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Fletcher, who has previous felony convictions for cocaine trafficking, weapons possession and tampering with evidence, pleaded guilty in November. U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko in Cleveland handed down the sentence.

Nice also says in the news release that "our city is safer today because of this federal conviction."

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Bio Clean Services provides crime and biohazard cleaning in Cleveland, OH and surrounding cities. 

These types of articles are seen every day in our local news. So much so that most readers have become desensitized to these crimes. Most people do not realize there are dangers associated with crime scene cleanup. Many of these scenes contain potentially harmful pathogens found in blood and other types of bodily fluids that may be left at a crime scene.

If an area were contaminated with biohazard pathogens, investigators or emergency medical personnel can potentially spread these pathogens to other areas by walking in blood, leaving behind medical waste while transporting victims for medical attention.

If you are associated with a crime involving blood or other types of crime biohazards in Cleveland, only hire a professional biohazard cleanup company like Bio Clean Services to do the job. Our trained, professional staff is certified in the cleanup and disposal of biohazard materials and we practice only safe cleanup practices to ensure your property is safe and free from all harmful biohazards.  When you experience a crime call us immediately to protect yourself and others.