Trauma site clean-up operations require the lead of specialist hygiene experts

Cleaning up after an accident or crime must be discreet, rapid and comprehensive. Combined, these three elements of a clean-up operation require workers to have completed thorough training. Furthermore, with the potential presence of biohazards, trauma site clean-ups really should involve specialist hygiene workers.

In this piece I will look at some of the skills and characteristics that are required to do the job and explore the process of cleaning up a trauma site.

Training for trauma

The first thing to remember is that the property owner is responsible for the clean-up operation of a biohazard risk, regardless of whether the emergency services have attended or not.

A specialist operation requires technicians that are trained in cleaning processes and obviously the use of personal protection equipment (PPE). Compliance with confidentiality and the ability to handle emotional scenarios are absolutely essential to delivering a professional service. It’s a careful balance, of on-going support and comprehensive training that is required to prepare individuals for the challenging circumstances they may encounter.

Preparing for the task at hand can be difficult, and ongoing support and advice must be available for those that are a part of this profession. For example, a job that involves cleaning up following a messy suicide, perhaps when the deceased’s loved ones are onsite can be difficult. On the one hand you have to deal with the situation and undertaking the necessary procedures to clean the site, while at same time potentially having to manage grieving family and friends. It’s not hard to imagine the stress that can be put on individuals working in this occupation when they return to their own homes.

At Rentokil Specialist Hygiene we offer training that is not limited to cleaning processes, but we also offer instruction and counsel on dealing with the general public, the family of the deceased as well as the emergency services. We also have a deep understanding of the difficulties that our colleagues may face while working on the frontline of our business as a result of a traumatic biological clean up, and we are well placed to offer counselling through our industry experience.

Once training has been completed specialist hygiene workers will be able to methodically deal with a number of different scenarios which they could potentially face from a train accident, car crash, to a suicide or the scene of a murder. They will be well-versed in safety procedures and undertaking risk assessments. This ensures that our specialist workers can safely remove sharp hazardous objects, different types of waste and prevent cross-contamination, to protect themselves and others, as well as the environment.

Biohazard expertise

There are strict guidelines and legislation surrounding the cleaning of crime and trauma scenes due to the nature and type of hazardous bodily fluids that can be present, and the potential risk to human health that these can bring. Legislation ensures both the safety of workers onsite, as well as the people that come into contact with the scenario, such as other occupants of the property, witnesses and passers-by.

Furthermore, these sites can facilitate microbial activity, and therefore will require large-scale decontamination and disinfection of microorganisms is extremely important to prevent a spread of disease or infection. Viruses such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV are all transferred via bodily fluids, and so the treatment of contaminated areas by specialist technicians is vital.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the emergency services have lifesaving priorities and so do not have the time or resources to deal with trauma clean-ups nor the specialist disinfection equipment, required to render such a scene free of biological hazards.

Expert disinfection equipment

In order to manage the risk of infection and return the environment to a safe and clean area after an incident, our technicians are equipped with specialist disinfection equipment. One of these methods is called ULV fogging. This reduces the risk of infections in areas exposed to blood and other bodily fluid, in a way that simple cleaning methods cannot guarantee.

ULV Fogging can be used to deliver micro-droplets of disinfectant and biocides that hang in the air for around 10 minutes after application. Dispersing these micro-droplets into the air means the solution is able to reach areas that might not otherwise be covered by conventional cleaning methods.

Studies show application by aerosol significantly reduces the number of viable infectious pathogens, by treating the surfaces and helping to reduce pathogens in the air. Using advanced decontamination and cleaning techniques, the area can be safely disinfected and the removal of dangerous bodily fluids can be performed in a controlled and sensitive manner, eliminating the risk and spread of infection.

Final words

Specialist disinfection requires a great deal of expert knowledge due to the variety of incidents where this service by be required such as cleaning up after suicides, home deaths and transport accidents. The team that are behind these operations must also be able to detach themselves emotionally from the scene at hand. While the capability to show empathy is important, the ability to be professional and thorough in order to get the job done is imperative.

It’s the responsibility of the property owner to make sure that their affected site is safe for members of the public and staff. This can only be ensured if you have total confidence in those dealing with the site. Specialist cleaners will ensure that the area is safe, disposing of hazardous materials correctly, and minimising the risk of infection.

Article submitted By Luke Rutterford, technical manager at Rentokil Specialist Hygiene