After an accident, crime, or chemical spill, the entire affected area needs to be cleaned up as quickly as possible in order to mitigate any further damage. When looking online, though, many people come across two different types of companies dedicated to cleaning up hazardous materials: hazmat cleaning and biohazard cleaning. For those unfamiliar with the terms, the two types of companies can be confusing for which one to call. Whatever company you choose to hire, though, you want to make sure the staff there have the skills, equipment, and experience to deal with whatever the situation is in a legal and safe manner, so knowing the distinction between the two types of cleanup is important.
Hazmat Cleaning
When you have a substance that is not from a living organism but that could harm one, you need to call a hazmat company. Hazmat companies clean dangerous materials either from an accident or a property such as:
- Poisons
- Propane and gas
- Oil
- Acids
- Chemicals
- Asbestos
- Lead
Hazmat cleaning companies are the ones you’ll see at work cleaning up after an oil spill, a broken gas line, or conducting an asbestos abatement on a property. They know what it takes to fully remove the harmful substances in a way that will minimize the damage to the surrounding environment and how to safely dispose of the material once removed. Due to the difference in substances, Hazmat companies also use specialized protective equipment along with different techniques to remove things like oil and poisons from both indoor and outdoor environments. Highly skilled, hazmat teams work quickly and meticulously to make sure all hazards are disposed of properly to prevent further harm.
Biohazard Cleaning
A company dedicated to biohazard cleaning such as Georgia Clean is thoroughly trained and experienced in handling anything of a biological nature—materials that are either living organisms themselves (such as viruses and bacteria) or that have come from a living organism (such as blood and urine). These substances can include but aren’t limited to the following:
- Blood
- Bodily fluids
- Urine
- Feces
- Vomit
- Viruses
- Bacteria
All of the above material can be dangerous and make a person sick. Catching a disease from them can even be fatal. Whether the substance is a large spill or small, whether from a crime, hoarding, suicide, industrial accident, or infectious disease contamination, an experienced biohazard cleaning company will know just what it takes to tailor a solution to your unique problem and restore your property to pre-event condition.
With personal protective equipment to protect themselves, a biohazard cleanup team will first arrive at your property in a discreet vehicle, describe the process to you, answer any questions you may have, then get to work on discarding any unsalvageable materials before meticulously cleaning and decontaminating the entire affected area. A quality biohazard cleaning company will strictly follow all local and federal rules and regulations to protect you, themselves, and the public.
Though cleaning up blood and other biohazards is dangerous work, biohazard cleanup staff are dedicated to being there for people through some of the most difficult times we experience with kindness and compassion. They know by being there to clean up the mess left behind, they can restore the property and help you move forward.
In addition to blood, bodily fluids, and infectious diseases, many biohazard cleaning companies also provide services such as drug paraphernalia removal, odor removal, mold removal, and the cleaning of chemicals left behind after a crime investigation such as tear gas or finger print powder. If you need one of these substances cleaned up on your property, make sure the company you are speaking with has experience successfully cleaning these hazards.
Regular janitorial services should not handle biohazard or hazmat cleanup
When there is a spill of dangerous substances such as blood or chemicals, people untrained in proper cleanup such as janitors or maid services should not handle the infected materials. They don’t know where to look for spaces liquids may have seeped into unseen, what techniques work best on different chemicals and fluids, and they don’t have the legal licenses and permits to transport and dispose of biohazardous and chemical waste. Without this knowledge, equipment, and legal permits, the property owner can be held legally liable for any damages done down the road. Don’t open yourself up to this legal liability or put the lives of others at stake. Instead, call a company properly trained in how to handle and clean up after these materials.
Georgia Clean is a Biohazard Cleanup Company
When you are in the middle of an emergency, it can be easy to mix up hazmat cleanup companies and biohazard cleanup companies. If you know the difference beforehand, you’ll be able to get the right help for the problem even quicker. If you have any questions about biohazard cleanup, we at Georgia Clean are always happy to help in any way we can.
