An immediate response when an accident or injury happens is to start cleaning the area. Sometimes, however, it’s wise and safer to contact an Oklahoma City specialist to remedy the affected area. Particularly considering how much is involved when a crime or accidental death occurs.
Exposure to blood or bodily fluids has dangerous health implications, considering the potential for harmful pathogens that can transmit disease when mishandled. Without the knowledge and expertise of a professional blood cleanup team, you could unknowingly become exposed.
Blood spills especially create a challenge because these seep into nooks and crannies where they can go undetected. An expert is trained to find these hiding places for a thorough decontamination, so they won’t pose a risk later.
These teams approach all scenes, regardless of the circumstances, with the same attention to detail and the goal of protecting the property owners’ health and well-being.
Dangers When Approaching a Blood Spill Cleanup
Property owners attempting a blood spill cleanup must become familiar with potential dangers associated with improper scene cleaning.
Specialist cleaners face the same risks; however, with their experience and training, the teams have a comprehensive blood cleanup in Oklahoma City, OK to prepare for tricky situations.
Harmful bloodborne pathogens
Exposure can be dangerous whether a scene involves a small volume of blood or a large blood spill. As a property owner, you can spread unsafe bloodborne pathogens that potentially carry disease with improper blood cleanup.
Regardless of whether you’re familiar with the person, precautions should be taken to protect from possible infection. This means being meticulous when washing your hands before and following the cleanup and wearing proper PPE- personal protective equipment.
PPE typically consists of gloves, a face shield or mask and goggles, and a gown or suit. Once cleaning is complete, the contaminated items will be disinfected, and single-use equipment will be placed in biohazard bags.
Blood seepage is difficult to detect
Blood spills aren’t contained in a concentrated area. The biohazard seeps into porous materials such as upholstery, curtains, carpeting, and fabrics. It further spreads into nooks and crannies where it’s difficult to detect.
That leaves property owners vulnerable to missing infected areas and inadvertently at risk for exposure, as is anyone coming into the space.
Blood-saturated materials are the most difficult to clean. Blood cleaning specialists are extensively trained in disinfecting and sanitizing trauma scenes, including undetectable blood seepage and porous surfaces.
Visit https://www.creativesafetysupply.com/qa/spill-cleanup/what-are-osha-requirements-for-cleaning-a-blood-spill to learn OSHA requirements for blood spill cleanup.
Emotional involvement
Blood cleanup is an emotional task, particularly if the spill is related to a trauma. The process causes the individual doing the cleaning to relive the details, especially when close to the person or if the incident happened at home.
With this level of emotional distress, it would be difficult to be conscious of all safety precautions or mindful of a thorough cleaning process. In these situations, professional cleaners provide impartial resources with the tools to carefully and meticulously decontaminate the area.
Biological waste
Technically, blood is classified as medical waste that cannot be disposed of in a standard bin or dumpster. Instead, the protocol dictates that blood spills must be treated with EPA-approved disinfectants and contained in reg bags labeled as biohazards to be disposed of as medical waste.
Property owners are encouraged to use blood cleanup specialists when encountering blood spills.
These teams are well-versed in the regulations surrounding blood remediation and disposal, with each company following stringent protocols to meet these guidelines. Read here for tips for safely cleaning blood.
Following cleanup
When preparing to clean a blood spill, washing your hands before and following the cleanup is a priority. While you’ll dress in the proper PPE, such as gloves, face shield, and suit, there’s always a chance that these can be damaged during the cleaning process.
It’s essential that these items fit snugly and to check periodically for holes or tears in your gloves particularly. When you believe the scene to be thoroughly decontaminated, double-check your skin, clothing, and furnishings in the surrounding area for signs of blood.
If you have blood on your body, use the disinfectant to clean it off and then take a shower.
A close friend or loved one can be helpful in observing contaminated areas that you might miss. In addition to showering, you’ll want to wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and disinfectant soap. As an added precaution, disinfectant wet wipes can be used to ensure an optimum clean.
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Final Thought
When not following the proper safety protocol, cleaning biohazards like blood spills can be dangerous. Bloodborne pathogens can potentially spread disease, making it essential that property owners learn the associated risks when trauma scenes are improperly cleaned.
Expert blood cleanup companies in Oklahoma City protect themselves and their clients from exposure to hazardous materials. By taking the burden of decontamination from the clients, these specialists ensure everyone remains safe.
