Advanced Bio Treatment - Jerry Turner

By NNT Featured Publications- August 2, 2011
For more info click here: www.advancedbio-treatment.com/crime-scene-cleanup.php

When hiring a crime scene cleanup company it is absolutely crucial for an individual to choose the most knowledgeable and qualified business. An inexperienced cleanup firm will only bring future liability to the property owner, as well as, potentially cause injury or sickness to future occupants. To avoid these consequences, pricing should not be the only aspect to look at; instead a person should closely assess a crime scene cleanup company by focusing on these areas:

• Experience
• Disposal of bio-hazardous waste
• OSHA and EPA Compliant
• Insured for crime scene clean up

A murder is especially violent and has the tendency to create a state of disorder. Unfortunately, personal belongings, documents, and other precious items are contaminated in the course of a murder and its subsequent investigation. To properly deal with a clean up, a company should have an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) as it encompasses best practices in crime scene clean up and odor removal. Property owners will know that a crime scene cleanup company is properly trained in extraction and disinfection. Be aware as a property owner, you can and will be held accountable in the future for any negligence that happens during a homicide clean up. So, finding a crime scene clean up company that has tested experience is also needed. Watch out for companies that describe its experience in years; this is vague and misleading. To do this, ask for a company’s corporate resume. This document outlines the company’s job history, cleaning approaches, industry qualifications, and certain noteworthy complexities dealt with during an assignment. This will allow you to see if these credentials pertain to your situation and adequately meet industry standards

Illness from improper disposal of bio-hazardous waste after a violent murder is a very real threat. In order to keep people safe, a property owner must make sure a murder scene clean up is in compliance with EPA disposal regulation. This is very necessary as soiled materials that are unable to be disinfected and cleaned are considered bio-hazardous waste. If this qualification is overlooked it will later return to negatively affect the property owner. Look out for companies that claim EPA certification, as there is no such thing. A legitimate company will contract a medical waste disposal company, which then properly neutralizes and disposes the bio-hazardous waste.

Because of possible contraction of communicable diseases and blood borne pathogens, it is imperative that individuals, who are dealing with a murder scene clean up, heavily examine a company’s aptitude for safety management. One way to measure this is to find out if a company is Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliant. Crime scene cleanup companies that are required to follow OSHA safety regulation will, undoubtedly, implement best industry practices in order to prevent workplace injury. Fortunately, the measures that are in place for the safety of workers are naturally applied to the property as well, and are very beneficial to you as it diminish your liability and exposure. Watch out for small “mom-and-pop” service providers as these companies usually employ fewer than 10 people and are exempt from OSHA requirements. Even if these companies infer that they are OSHA compliant, they are most likely deficient as they are not held accountable for meeting standards. A property owner should look for a professional and compliant company that has a “Code of Safe Practices.” This document aligns proper crime scene clean up procedure with OSHA safety measures and is applied to every job.

Sadly, while safety and competence is promoted on the property, errors still may occur. When a problem or mistake arises at a crime scene clean up it can lead to severe consequences; an injury to an employee or illness to a future occupant. Either way, make sure that you are adequately protected by the cleanup company’s insurance policy. Only by hiring a company that is properly insured can a property owner significantly reduce financial damages in the event that a claim is filed. Look for crime scene cleanup companies that have taken the initiative and have raised coverage to a minimum of $1 million on all insurances. Coverage should include worker’s compensation with the liability rider, CSL auto insurance and General Liability insurance with a pollution endorsement. As stated before, you are responsible for any damages or harm caused by contamination. So, in order to protect yourself, immediately verify the existence of these insurances.

In the end, it is the health and safety of your family members, your close friends, and your employees, that are at risk. So, in the aftermath of a murder scene cleanup, a property owner needs to be certain that a crime scene cleanup company has significant experience, is proficient in safety procedures under OSHA regulation; meets EPA’s bio-hazardous waste disposal requirement, and is adequately insured in case of improper cleanup.

For additional articles on this topic please go directly to our website: www.advancedbio-treatment.com or contact Advanced Bio-treatment at 1-800-441-8068 or by e-mail at info@advancedbio-treatment.com

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