When is Trauma Cleaning needed?
Trauma cleaning refers to the process of cleaning and disinfecting a scene following a traumatic event, such as a violent crime, a serious injury or medical event, suicide, or accidental death. This specialised type of cleaning involves the removal of biohazardous materials, including bodily fluids, tissues, and other contaminants that pose health risks and can cause damage in a home, workplace or public place.
The process requires trained professionals who understand the sensitive nature of the situation and employ strategies to restore the affected area while maintaining discretion and compassion for the individuals involved. In addition to physical cleaning, trauma cleaning often includes odour removal and restoration of the space to its original condition, ensuring it is safe for future use, and a pleasant place to be.
It’s not just crime scenes
Traumatic injuries, sudden death, suicide, industrial injuries, serious medical events and of course violent crimes.
Trauma cleaning is not only about sanitation; it is about providing closure and assisting families in the healing process after a traumatic incident. Often we are asked to ‘turn back the clock’ and we always strive to do this. Removing evidence (signs of, as opposed to being asked to remove evidence by a criminal party) is absolutely key to aiding the healing process after a traumatic event.
Examples of Trauma Cleaning
Crime Scene Cleaning: Involves the removal of blood and bodily fluids from crime scenes, ensuring that the area is safe and sanitised for further investigation or habitation.
Suicide or Self-Harm Cleaning: Addressing the aftermath of a suicide or self-harm incident, which requires sensitive handling of emotional and physical evidence, along with complete sanitisation of the affected areas.
Accidental Death Cleaning: Cleaning up after an accidental death, which may involve dealing with decomposition or unexpected findings in a home or workplace environment, requiring specialised equipment and techniques.
Violent Crime Cleaning: Removing traces of violence or incidents involving multiple victims, which may be traumatic and require careful emotional and physical handling by trained professionals.
Medical Emergency Cleaning: In cases where there has been a medical emergency that has resulted in bodily fluids being present, this form of cleaning ensures that hazardous materials are properly disposed of and the area is thoroughly disinfected.
Unattended Death Cleaning: Cleaning and sanitising spaces where a deceased person may have been found, often after days, weeks or even months, ensuring that the area is returned to a habitable state while treating the situation with the utmost respect.
Biohazard Clean-up: Involves the removal and disposal of biohazard materials, which include any waste that can pose a threat to public health, typically resulting from trauma or crime, but often also from serious medical events.
These examples highlight the delicate nature of trauma cleaning, where both physical and psychological sensitivities must be taken into account while ensuring thorough sanitisation and restoration of the affected environment
Trauma cleaning is a specialised service that addresses the aftermath of traumatic events, including accidents, violence, or sudden deaths.
An example of trauma cleaning involves a residential property where a serious accident has occurred.
In this scenario, our team would assess the area to determine the extent of the contamination. This could include cleaning blood, bodily fluids, or other biological materials that may pose health hazards. The first step would involve securing the site to prevent unauthorised access while the cleaning process is undertaken, this not only protects the area whilst we are working there, but also to ensure that no-one else is exposed to potential hazards.
Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), our trained specialists would begin by safely removing any contaminated materials, disposing of them according to health regulations, by incineration. After removal, we would employ industry-standard sanitising and disinfecting agents to ensure that all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned. We do not use conventional off the shelf products, in fact, we have taken great care to test and source the best disinfection products available to ensure that a short period of contact time is available, with our products working in just 30 seconds rather than 3-5 minutes like most household products.
Following the initial cleaning, an additional layer of deep cleaning would be carried out, including thorough ventilation of the area and inspection for lingering odours or residual stains. We optimise odour removal with the use of both ultra low volume (ULV) fogging and ozone generators. The goal is to restore the property to a safe and habitable condition, allowing the occupants to return to their home with peace of mind.
Throughout the process, we maintain a neutral and respectful approach, whilst being fully open and practical, understanding the sensitivity of the situation and the impact it can have on those involved. All actions are conducted with discretion and professionalism to ensure a respectful and efficient service. It is important for us to put people at ease, whilst demonstrating the effectiveness of our work.
Trauma cleaning is a specialised service
that addresses the aftermath of traumatic events, including accidents, violence, or sudden deaths.
Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms found in human blood that can cause disease in humans. The primary pathogens of concern include the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The risks associated with bloodborne pathogens are significant, particularly in environments where exposure to blood or certain bodily fluids is possible.
Why do we treat all bodily fluid like it is infectious?
Bloodborne pathogens are transmitted through direct contact with infected blood, as well as other bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions, and sometimes saliva.
Risks arise in various situations, including:
Needlestick injuries: Healthcare workers and first responders are vulnerable when handling needles or sharp objects. As are members of the public when sharps are left in the open, or even cleaners in home and hotels where drug use has taken place.
Cuts and abrasions: Open wounds can provide a point of entry for pathogens if they come into contact with contaminated substances.
Infectious body fluids: Exposure can occur during emergency situations, such as trauma scenes where blood is present.
Health Implications
Infections caused by bloodborne pathogens can lead to severe health problems. Hepatitis B and C can result in chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, potentially requiring liver transplants. HIV can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), severely compromising the immune system and leading to life-threatening infections and cancers.
Protective Measures
To mitigate the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, strict adherence to safety protocols is essential, including:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Use of gloves, masks, goggles, and suits to create barriers against exposure.
Training and Education: Ensuring that all personnel are trained in recognising hazards and the procedures for responding to potential exposures. Our training is our greatest method of protection.
Proper disposal of sharps: Implementing safe disposal methods for needles and other sharp objects to prevent needlestick injuries.
Understanding the risks associated with bloodborne pathogens is critical for anyone working in environments where exposure to blood is possible. Implementing appropriate safety measures and ongoing education can significantly reduce the risk of infection and protect both workers and the public from potential harm.
Don’t take the risk
Understanding the risks associated with bloodborne pathogens is critical for anyone working in environments where exposure to blood is possible.
Why Choose Specialist Cleaning Limited?
Rapid Response: We provide 24/7 emergency call-out services and aim to be on-site within 2 hours of receiving a call (where possible).
Discreet and Compassionate Service: Our team understands the sensitive nature of these situations and works with respect and professionalism.
Highly Trained Technicians: Our staff are trained in biohazard remediation to the highest standard, infection control, and trauma scene clean-up.
Comprehensive Services: We handle everything from initial clean-up and decontamination to odour removal and property restoration.
Compliance and Safety: We adhere to all health and safety regulations and use specialised equipment and cleaning agents, our ability to provide these services is far above that of a conventional cleaning company.
With years of experience and a team of highly trained professionals, we handle a wide range of sensitive and challenging situations with expertise and compassion.
We provide 24/7 trauma cleaning services
How to Contact Specialist Cleaning Limited
If you require trauma cleaning services, you can contact Specialist Cleaning Limited through our website or by phone. Our team will provide a free consultation, it is likely that we we ask to attend first to assess in person ahead of providing a detailed plan of action and costings.
Remember:
Do not attempt to clean a trauma scene yourself. It is crucial to call professionals to avoid health risks and ensure proper decontamination and avoid secondary damage to property and belongings. Bodily fluids smell, correct handling now makes all the difference.
Specialist Cleaning Limited is here to help. We understand the emotional and practical challenges involved and will handle the situation with sensitivity and efficiency.
Please contact Specialist Cleaning Limited directly for any trauma cleaning needs
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