Crime scene cleanup governed by regulations

In this week's article, I thought I would discuss one of the hardest jobs I've ever had to do — and that is as a crime scene cleaner. This job taps every sense of the cleaner's being. It pulls on their emotions because of the intense sadness the family feels and the compassion that tugs on their own emotions. Every scene is different regardless of whether it's a homicide, suicide or decomposition (natural or accidental death).

This job is considered a "second responder" with police, coroner, morticians, etc. considered "first responders." For centuries, this arduous task fell to fire departments, funeral homes, neighbors or churches.

The first company to take on this responsibility was established in 1985 primarily because of the World Heath Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies all human blood and body fluids as infectious due to diseases like hepatitis and AIDS. OSHA established a blood-borne pathogen regulation (29CFR1910.1030) that was initially conceived for medical management practices. This standard was extended beyond the medical community to all workers who anticipated exposure risks to blood-borne pathogens.

Crime and trauma scene decontamination firms must comply with all federal, state and local environmental regulations regarding disposal of biological hazards of a second responder.

This job is a hands-on job, which requires cleaners to deal with blood-borne diseases and toxic waste, not to mention the stomach-churning nature of the work.

When crime scene cleaners enter the property, they must wear full body protection because of the possibility of unknown diseases that may be present at the site. The team leader must monitor his crew to ensure they do not suffer from heat exhaustion or stroke when working in elevated temperatures. The site must be immediately surveyed for cleaning requirements because the environment is decaying at a rapid rate thereby increasing biological hazards.

Pooling body fluids must be disinfected immediately and cleaned up. They must clean and disinfect every square inch of the room or rooms involved at the scene. Materials that can't be disinfected properly must be removed from the scene.

The cleanup costs fall squarely on the shoulders of the property owner or its manager. Cleanup costs can be fairly expensive depending on the complexity of the situation at the scene.

Over the years, I've received calls from folks wanting advice on how to properly clean a crime or trauma scene. Because of the potential hazards involved, I always recommend they contact a professional crime and trauma decontamination company. If they don't, they could face huge financial liability.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed Madan at Northwest Executive and Environmental Services (255-2266) or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, Idaho, 82864, Attn.: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, chief executive officer of Northwest Executive and Environmental Services, LLC. NWES specializes in commercial, residential, construction and crime scene/meth lab cleanup.