How to Choose a Cleaning Service for an Unattended Death

One the most daunting and traumatic experiences a person can face in life is discovering the unattended death of a family member or other loved one. There are also situations in which a landlord discovers the remains of a tenant who suffered an unattended death.

An unattended death is a situation in which a person has died alone, the passing not being promptly discovered. There are situations in which a matter of days, weeks, or even longer can pass before the remains of a person who experienced an unattended death are discovered.

Ensuring that the scene of the unattended death is properly cleaned up really demands the assistance of a professional service versed in the remediation of biohazardous materials. The safety and livability of the premises in which an unattended death was discovered depends on comprehensive biohazard remediation that includes:

  • Cleanup of biological and contaminated material
  • Sanitization of the death scene
  • Deodorization of the premises
  • Restoration of the premises to a habitable condition

If you are like the vast majority of people in California, and throughout the United States, you’ve not had prior occasion to enlist the aid of an unattended death cleanup service. There are some specific considerations that you need to bear in mind when seeking professional biohazardous remediation services.

Experience Matters

One of the most important considerations to bear in mind when it comes to selecting an unattended death cleaning service is experience. In this day and age, there are a growing number of businesses popping up in the biohazardous waste remediation industry, enterprises that hold themselves out as qualified to provide comprehensive unattended death cleaning services. Noting this, a considerably percentage simply lack the background and depth of experience necessary to thoroughly and efficiently address the needs of a client in need to comprehensive, safe unattended death cleaning services.

Comprehensive Employee Training and Background Checks

Not only do you want to ensure that a company providing unattended death cleanup services has experience, you need to investigate the background of the employees or specialists of the firm. You need to inquire about the extent of training of any employees that will be assigned to address your cleanup. You also will want to confirm the specific hands-on experience of the team members who will be assigned to address your unattended death cleanup.

In addition to training and experience, you also must inquire about the manner in which an unattended death cleanup service company vets its employees. Ascertain what is undertaken in the way of a background check for the firm’s specialists in advance of retaining that company’s services. The training needs to include:

  • OSHA standards
  • California standards
  • Bloodborne pathogen safety
  • Personal protective equipment, of PPE
  • Respiratory protection
  • Hazardous communication
  • Heat illness awareness

Proper Registration

California is one of two states in the country that require a professional unattended death cleaning service to be registered. What technically is known as a trauma scene waste management practitioner must be duly registered with the California Department of Public Health.

You will want to confirm that an unattended death cleaning service has met the registration requirements with the state. A list of registered professionals able to provide you unattended death cleaning services is available via the public health department.

Proper Insurance

When contemplating engaging the services of an unattended death cleanup service, verify the insurance the company maintains. Examples of the type of coverage that an unattended death cleanup service should maintain includes:

  • Liability insurance
  • Worker’s compensation insurance
  • Contractor’s environmental liability insurance
  • Theft or property damage insurance (or bond)

Adherence to Proper Biohazard Disposal Methods

Make absolutely certain that an unattended death cleanup service strictly adheres to federal, state, and local regulations regarding the proper cleanup and disposal of biohazardous materials. The failure to follow established protocols can expose people to significant risk. In addition, the failure to comply with delineated procedures can result in significant fines. Confirm that a service provider is licensed to transport biohazardous waste. In the alternative, confirm that a firm partners with another professional that is duly licensed to transport and dispose of biohazardous materials.

References and Recommendations

Even in this digital, high-tech age, when a great deal can be garnered from the internet, keep in mind that word of mouth matters. As part of doing your own due diligence in advance of hiring an unattended death cleanup service, obtain references from the service provider and recommendations from your associates. Odds are fairly significant that you will know someone who has had to engage the services of a professional to address a biohazard cleanup of some type.