Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I just use my regular cleaning or janitorial service to clean up blood or pathogenic waste?
A: Not unless your regular cleaning or janitorial service has been properly trained and equipped to handle biohazardous waste such as blood or bodily fluids, and has a legally accepted mechanism in place to dispose of the recovered biohazardous waste.
Q: Who pays for bio-recovery services?
A: 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. If the victim of a crime has no insurance the Crime Victims Board may be in a position to authorize and pay for bio-recovery services.
Q: Can I have an employee of my business clean the scene?
A: Federal Regulation 29CER1910.1030 states that no employee can be placed in a position to be exposed to blood spills without first:
- Receiving Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training
- Having a written BBP exposure control plan
- Having been provided personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Having been offered a Hepatitis B vaccine, exposure evaluation and follow-up
- Being provided with a method to remove and properly store the bio-hazardous waste in a properly marked container for disposal at an approved site
Only after these five steps have been met can an employee be required by his or her employer to clean a biohazardous or crime scene.
