FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

QUESTION

Who pays for the bio-recovery services?

ANSWER

Ultimately, the property owner is responsible for the cost of this service. In most cases, however, home, business or auto insurance will pay for bio-recovery services.

QUESTION

Why can't I have my regular cleaning or janitorial service clean up blood or pathological waste?

ANSWER

Proper training and equipment is required to handle bio-hazardous waste such as blood or bodily fluids, and bio-hazardous waste has to be disposed using a legally accepted mechanism.

QUESTION

Can I have an employee of my business clean the scene?

ANSWER

Federal Regulations state that no employee can be placed in a position to be exposed to blood spills without first:

• Receiving blood borne pathogen (BBP) training

• Having written a BBP exposure control plan

• Having been provided personal protective equipment

• Having been offered a Hepatitis B vaccine and exposure evaluation including follow-up

QUESTION

Can my employer force me to clean up a blood spill?

ANSWER

NO EMPLOYEE CAN BE FORCED TO CLEAN UP A BLOOD SPILL. An employee has the right to refuse to work if the physical condition of the workplace or workstation is likely to endanger the worker. If an employee is asked to clean up a blood spill, management has an obligation to prove that they have performed "Due Diligence" (that they have taken every precaution reasonably necessary in the circumstances for the protection of the worker) i.e. ensuring that the workers are trained and are competent to deal with Bloodborne Pathogens, in order to prevent occupational exposure to blood, and to other infectious materials in the workplace which could result in the transmission of Bloodborne Pathogens causing disease or death. Employees must use their own discretion regarding the amount of blood that they are willing to clean. No employee should ever clean severe blood spills.

QUESTION

Are bodily fluids considered "hazardous"?

ANSWER

Yes. According to the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS) Classification D, Division 3 "Biohazardous Infectious Materials ", viruses live in bodily fluids (Blood, Urine) and they are therefore considered to be toxic.

QUESTION

Are bodily fluids that are exposed to the air still infected?

ANSWER

YES. The virus Hepatitis B is stable in dried blood for a minimum of 30 days at 25 degrees Celsius. Hand contact with blood-contaminated surfaces can transfer the virus through skin or mucous membranes.

QUESTION 

How much do you charge?

ANSWER

We receive this question a lot. Unfortunately we can't give an accurate price without seeing the scene first. It is similar to calling your auto mechanic and asking how much it is to fix your car because it is not running right. Until we know exactly what is involved, we won't know our costs. The biggest factor in calculating our fees, is how many technicians the job will need, how long they will be there, and how much biohazard disposal will be needed. Our prices are fair and reasonable. We will apply self pay discounts and make payment arrangements for anyone that needs to pay out of pocket.

QUESTION 

What is the correct fee for bio-recovery workers to charge?

ANSWER

No two companies are going to give the same exact figures for cleaning; it depends upon their business experience, their resources, and the scene itself. What is important is that their fees are fair and customary for this line of service. It is easy for the public to forget that Trauma Workers are exposed to HIV, Hepatitis C, and tens of thousands of other viruses, bacteria, and so on. An appropriate fee is therefore difficult to judge sight-unseen. The costs of running a business are great, in any case, and cleaners have bills to pay. So, "Fair and customary" is the key.

QUESTION 

How do you recognize a competent bio-recovery company?

ANSWER

As in any profession, quality varies. Its technicians will be professional in attitude and appearance. These technicians will be sensitive to the nature of each scene and the people around them. They will work closely with the property managers to reduce the emotional stress related to the scene, discourage publicity and be helpful in assuming as much of the role of dealing with the insurance company as possible. A competent company will be knowledgeable of disease, pathogens, sanitizers, disinfectants, sterilants, deodorants, techniques, devices, and regulations to help them to successfully deal with each unique situation. Using special equipment, chemicals, and protective suits, these specialists isolate, clean, disinfect each surface, and decontaminate properly. Upon completion, the collected waste is transported for appropriate disposal at a licensed facility.

QUESTION  Why should a professional bio-recovery company be called to do the clean up? Why not just do it myself or call a janitorial service?

ANSWER

Most mop and bucket cleaning services personnel are not trained or equipped to handle biohazardous wastes such as blood or bodily fluids. Also, the possibility that other hazardous materials may be encountered during the clean-up process is possible. Removal of biohazardous waste is dangerous. Without being able to determine which spill is infected with disease, extraordinary precautions must be taken. If a company is not properly equipped with special training, precautions, equipment and protective suits, an individual or employee could pick up a contaminant of disease or chemical hazards, and unknowingly spread it to his or her family.

QUESTION 

How quickly can you respond to a trauma scene?

ANSWER

There are a number of variables that will affect our response time. Prior to commencing a cleanup process, the site must be evaluated. This is a vital process that ensures proper pricing and complete knowledge of the work to be done. Our team will then contact you to discuss the procedure and a team of technicians dispatched within an hour of notification. Once the crime scene has been released by the medical examiner or detective, and depending on the location, the cleanup process is typically commenced within 24 hours.

QUESTION 

Are the chemicals you use safe for my family or co-workers?

ANSWER

Yes, completely safe. We use OSHA compliant and hospital grade chemicals, which can be used in any household, business or restaurant environment.

QUESTION 

Can you completely remove my odor problem or an odor associated with death?

ANSWER

In most situations, our technicians can remove 100% of any odor. However, extreme situations may only allow the removal of 90% of the odor, leaving the other 10% to dissipate over a short period of time.

QUESTION 

How long does it take to clean a scene?

ANSWER

There is no predetermined amount of time for each specific scene. Typically, a suicide scene will take each technician six to ten hours for the cleanup process. A murder or decomposition may take our technicians fifteen to twenty hours. A serious gross filth residence may take eight to twenty-five hours of work. There are too many variables involved to give a precise estimate, without first viewing the actual scene.