OSHA Approved Clean up of Contaminated Sharps

OSHA Approved Clean up of Contaminated Sharps

 OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulates the proper disposal of contaminated sharp objects. Bloodborne diseases present on contaminated sharps are a hazard to those that handle them. Removal of the sharps potentially exposes workers to diseases such as HPV, HBV and HCV. Although needles are the first item that most people think of, sharps include scalpels, broken glass, capillary tubes and the exposed ends of dental wires. If any of these sharp objects have been contaminated by blood or other human fluids, OSHA requires that the cleanup procedure follow specific rules. 

Due to the length of complexity of the regulations, it is often a good idea to call a professional clean up company. These companies know how to handle sharp devices. OSHA requires that mechanical devices or a one handed "scooping" technique be used for removing sharps from an area. Professional cleaners may have a mechanical device that can remove the sharp from the area or they might be trained in the proper "scooping technique." 

Other OSHA regulations prevent sharps handlers from breaking or shearing sharps. Professional cleaners understand how to avoid accidentally breaking sharps. Bending, recapping and removing sharps are only allowable for specific medical and dental procedures. Professional cleaners can help companies comply with these regulations during clean-up. 

Professional clean up companies also provide OSHA approved containers for storing contaminated sharps. These containers, which must be bright red in color, are also puncture-proof and leak proof. They must also be able to close to prevent liquids from spilling out of the container. Cleaning companies have processes in place to make sure that the containers are not overfilled. When removing sharps from the storage container, professional cleaning companies follow strict regulations. Workers are not allowed to stick their hands into the storage containers to remove any sharps. Professional clean up companies have processes in place to avoid these scenarios. 

Some employers do have processes in place to handle routine use of sharps. For example, hospitals often have the proper disposal containers available for needles. Doctors and nurses are trained to properly dispose sharps into these containers. However, many areas that have been contaminated by sharps are not part of the routine. Suicides, murders and drug labs are an example. In these cases, there is typically no one within the building that is trained to handle any sharps that remain on the scene. In these cases, it is often a good practice to call a professional clean up company trained in the OSHA regulated handling of sharps.

Florida Suicide Cleanup Services

Whenever a death occurs by tragic suicide, it leaves family members and loved ones in an emotionally fragile state. Bio Scene Clean Up provides suicide cleanup services in Florida.  We are a certified biohazard cleanup company and are our main job is helping victims of crime and tragedy by providing biohazard cleanup for suicide and other traumatic incidents.

Bio Scene Clean Up only employs compassionate certified technicians who work diligently to assist friends and family members of suicide victims with professional, safe cleanup and restoration of the death scene.  We understand the emotional trauma and our suicide cleanup services are discreet and we provide unmarked vehicles for the cleanup and removal of any biohazard materials.

As with any death scene requiring professional biohazard cleanup services, suicide scenes are often very difficult to clean. Blood and other bodily fluids or matter are often spread over a large portion of the incident site and these biohazards are difficult to see or find.  In addition to the emotional toll this takes on a friend of family member, we do not suggest that anyone attempt to cleanup a suicide scene.

Even trace elements of blood, fluids or tissues can carry pathogens that may be potentially dangerous to your health.  If a biohazard area is attempted to be cleaned by an untrained person, there is a huge potential for contamination of health risks after the improper cleanup is performed.

In many instances, insurance companies will cover the cost of professional suicide cleanup services in Florida. Bio Scene Clean Up is experts in insurance claims and we are able to assist victim’s family members in filing claims and understanding insurance processes. We are also familiar with other agencies and services that offer assistance when a tragic event like suicide occurs.

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 Scene Clean Up 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 Scene Clean Up offers the following services in Florida:

• 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 Scene Clean Up 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 Florida 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.

Why are bioremediation costs so high?

Most people associate remediation with the same type of cleanup that is found for fire or water loss however, when bioremediation (blood and biohazard cleanup) is needed as a result of a suicide, murder, unattended death or traumatic incident these situations pose a greater risk for the property owner and cleanup crews.

Bioremediation and decontamination services should always be performed by certified companies that specialize in the cleanup of blood, biohazard and infectious materials. In order to minimize risk of possible contamination to other areas or people and to ensure the safety of the property owner. Bio Scene Clean Up performs certified biohazard cleanup and decontamination services. We follow proper protocols established by State and Federal agencies

Because of these strict guidelines and protocols for proper biohazard disposal the costs associated with bioremediation are significantly higher. The cost of obtaining proper permits, training and equipment used for these types of cleanup jobs are all factors in the total costs associated with the cleanup job. Depending on the size scene that needs remediation, will also determine the cost of the job.

Cleanup of blood, bodily fluids and biohazards from death, murder and suicides scenes is the most common service that we provide. Property owners should realize that not hiring a certified biohazard cleanup company like Bio Scene Clean Up can result in their being liable due to health compromises or harm to others as a result of any improper cleanup.

The health status/condition of persons associated with the cause of biohazard are not known.  One out of every 24 people has Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV and these pathogens can survive in a deceased person for up to 16 days after death. Exposure to these and other harmful pathogens can occur from splashes of blood, inhalation and other biological fragments that are found at these types of scenes.

Ordinary restoration companies like the ones that handle fire or flood damage are not required to follow the same cleanup, removal and disposal guidelines as companies associated with the cleanup and handling of blood or biohazard materials.  Because of this our company maintains all necessary permits and only allows technicians who are specially trained in biohazard cleanup and handling to perform jobs. This helps ensure the safety of our clients or anyone who may come in contact with the affected areas.

If you need bioremediation and decontamination services contact our office at once to make sure you’re protected.

The importance of having a biohazard cleanup plan for your business

If you own a business or manage a commercial building with tenants, chances are you’ve thought about what would happen if a biohazard incident occurred. But do you actually have a plan in place that protects the health of others and you from the liability?

Bio Scene Clean Up offers industrial accident, blood, trauma, crime, death and other biohazard cleanup services.  Being faced with a biohazard site in a commercial setting can in most cases be far more dangerous than a confined site like someone’s home or auto. Public workplaces and buildings have more people in close proximity to an affected area and extreme caution should be used when handling the cleanup and removal from an accident or trauma site.

Property owners and commercial business management are responsible for the health and safety of occupants of spaces and when the presence of any biohazards such as blood, airborne pathogens and other dangerous microorganisms are present it is imperative that an experienced biohazard cleanup team like Bio Scene Clean Up remediate and disinfect the site as quickly as possible to protect the health of anyone in immediate contact with the site. There are strict requirements for handling and disposal of biohazard materials and if these protocols are not properly followed, property owners can be liable is there is a compromise in someone’s health.

Bio Scene Clean Up maintains the proper certifications and experience necessary to deal with industrial accident and trauma clean up.  These types of accidents are not frequently thought about so it’s important that business and commercial property owners have a remediation plan in effect in the event of an accident.

If you own, manage or lease a commercial business or space, please contact Bio Scene Clean Up for more information about the types of services that we offer and our coverage areas. Our technicians are professional, discreet and experienced in working with traumatic crime and accident sites where others are present. We can assist you with a plan of action to ensure safety and provide resources that offer assistance with the financial costs in certain circumstances.

Traumatic incidents in soldiers with PTSD

As activity in the middle east winds down and more of our troops are returning home, our country is faced with a whole new realization that these soldiers suffer greatly from PTSD. Many soldiers come home and are faced with depression and other emotional disorders causing increased suicide rates, illegal drug usage and in some cases even involvement in violent crimes.

Bio Scene Clean Up provides biohazard clean up services in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota FL areas. Many calls we receive about these types of cleanup services involve veterans who have recently returned home from active war zones.  These incidents leave family and loved ones to pick up the pieces of yet another life shattering event, but in a different way.

Our team is experienced in the cleanup and remediation of crime, death, trauma and suicide scenes in addition to many other biohazard cleanup jobs that you may need.  We understand the emotional distress that these incidents cause family members and loved ones and we are accustomed to handling these types of cleanup jobs in a compassionate, discreet method and work to return the incident scenes to normal as quickly as possible.

As the increase of soldiers return home, our nation has to become more aware of incidents and traumatic events that could happen as a result of dealing with soldiers who have PTSD. One great resource to become familiar with is the PTSD Counseling Services website. It provides great insight on how we can help these soldiers overcome PTSD and ways to help them cope. 

If you find that you are in need of biohazard cleanup services related to these incidents, Bio Scene Clean Up offers 24 hour emergency dispatch to serve our clients needs. Call us now to for professional certified biohazard cleanup. We maintain the proper certifications and equipment necessary to clean most all types of biohazard scenes and are familiar with the filing and paperwork processes required for your insurance claims.

Violent home invasions and the trauma scenes that can be left behind

Home invasions are bad enough, but when the event turns violent, can leave behind horrible trauma scenes. Home invasions turned violent can include things like stabbings, blood and tissue matter from fighting and in the worst cases even death.



Bio Scene Clean Up 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 remediating these scenes. Some insurance companies also pay for these services.

Bio Scene Clean Up 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.

Domestic Violence in Florida – Some things you should know

In this line of work we often get calls for biohazard clean up where there was a presence of domestic violence.  Over the past decade the amount of domestic violence cases has drastically increased and the severity of these crimes often ends in a tragic death that could have possibly been avoided.

If you know someone who is a victim of domestic violence or are a victim yourself, there are resources that can help. Agencies like Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence have programs that can help victims of domestic violence.  There is a common misconception that domestic violence only happens against women. These cases can include children and men who are involved in volatile, abusive relationships.  These agencies have programs that can offer assistance, counseling, emergency housing and other services. There are also legal representatives that can assist you in the process of taking legal action as a victim.

Bio Scene Clean Up provides biohazard clean up from these types of crimes, death, suicide and other accident scenes.  Anytime there is a presence of blood and other matter that needs to be remediated from these scenes, you should always protect yourself and the health of all people involved by hiring a certified cleanup company to properly clean up these biohazards.  Sadly, many domestic violence cases turn into violet murder crimes or suicide scenes and these are the most common scenes we are hired for.

We provide information like this in effort to promote stopping domestic violence in Florida.  If you or someone you know needs help, we urge you to contact the appropriate agencies for your safety.  Domestic violence charges in Florida carry stiff penalties and most all cases involve imprisonment. If you are reading this article and feel as though you are in a situation that is even “questionable” contact the agencies above today. If you are a victim and in need of our services, please contact our office for more information on our biohazard clean up services and other resources to help.

National rise of suicide in the workplace

 

In past data collected, specifically from 2010 and 2011 census information, the United States Bureau of Labor shows a significant increase of workplace suicides.  As difficult as these types of scenarios may be, it’s important for employers and property owners take every precaution to protect co-workers and tenants.  

Bio Scene Clean Up provides death, trauma, suicide and biohazard cleanup services in workplaces, public buildings and private residential properties.

Whenever a trauma like this occurs there is immediate danger to others in proximity to the accident scene.  It’s imperative that property owners contact a professional, certified biohazard cleanup company like Bio Scene Clean Up to perform the tasks of cleaning and disinfecting the scene immediately.  Attempting to clean a scene that has a presence of blood, tissues and other bodily fluids or matter can pose a huge legal liability if not properly remediated.

 
When proper protocol and cleanup techniques are not followed, there may be trace elements of blood, tissue, matter and fluids that are not visible to the human eye.  These elements can cause airborne pathogens that can be ingested by others causing serious if not fatal complications.  There are major risks of infection and disease from these elements and most likely horrid odors that will keep recurring if they were only masked at clean up.  Each of these factors can be a potential legal matter in the event that an employee or tenant becomes ill as a result of inadequate removal and remediation of these scenes.

Bio Scene Clean Up is certified in the removal of blood, tissue, body fluids and matter associated with suicides and death. We are also capable of removal of all components that may be affected by the trauma and can perform total rehab construction on the affected areas. Please follow our blog for other important information about the services that we provide and how we can assist you with biohazard clean up and handling.  Please contact our office if you need more information about a specific service or if you have a biohazard area that you need cleaned. 

Bioscene Clean Up offers gross filth clean up services in Florida

Gross and filthy living conditions are frequently found, especially in homes of the elderly who are ill, have dementia or other conditions which often leads to hoarding and very unsanitary conditions in these homes.  Other reasons like fear for safety and a person not leaving the home can contribute to these conditions as well.

Only certified professionals should attempt to clean these types of homes or areas. It is necessary to use OSHA approved chemicals and other agents and to follow the proper disposal processes in order to ensure proper remediation. It’s also necessary in order to ensure the health and safety of the person living in these conditions.

Our technicians are accustomed to seeing overwhelming amounts of garbage and rubbish and unimaginable living conditions. We’re all compassionate and have a desire to help the homeowner return the property to a livable condition that is sanitary and free form health hazards. 

Some biohazards commonly found in

these conditions include:

•    Body Fluids
•    Feces
•    Urine
•    Blood
•    Vomit
•    Pest infestation
•    Rodent feces
•    Mold and mildew


These all attribute to the deterioration of the structure and its contents. It is often necessary to replace drywall, insulation, flooring and almost always any fabrics and materials in contact with the debris. They also take their toll on mechanical elements of the property as well due to leaks, sewage backups, busted or leaking pipes and poor roof conditions.  Bioscene Clean Up also provides certain general contracting services that can correct these problems. If structural problems are present, we have great working relationships with contractors who can provide these repairs.

If you or someone you know needs help with an unsafe, filthy living condition, please contact our office immediately. We will perform a site inspection and assess the project and develop a full task plan to help you safely remediate the home.