Crime events of different kinds can leave dangerous biological residues behind. When that happens, such mess has to be cleaned by someone. Crime scene cleanup businesses therefore become very important as they are experts in handling the aftermath of such events.
Crime scene cleanup involves gathering and getting rid of potential dangerous biological material. These professionals carry out comprehensive biohazard & trauma cleanup by sanitizing and sterilizing the crime site. In this article, we’ll discuss the requirements needed to complete the job.
Requirements a Company Needs to Clean Crime Scenes
Not every cleaning business can manage a crime scene. Cleaners working at such sites must completely sterilize the area so that people may safely return. Professionals also have to deal with unattended deaths and biohazards including blood. Therefore, employees of these cleanup companies go through certain certification courses and training.
Permits and Certifications
Cleaning a crime scene is not a regulated sector. Companies thus have no requirement of a license to begin operations. Still, a reputable firm will have the necessary permits and certifications.
Let’s use a company that gets rid of biological waste as an example. Legal transportation of these waste substances requires a Medical Waste Transportation license. It could also require registration and certification as a Hazardous Waste Transporter. These organizations offer professionals and crime scene cleanup businesses resources and training:
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- The Department of Transportation
- The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
Biomedical Waste Transporter certifications, Infectious Waste Transporter permits, and Trauma Scene Waste Practitioner permits are other recommended certifications and permits for these companies.
Training
Every staff member of a cleanup business has industry-specific training they must complete. Crime scene cleaning chemicals and tools must be understood by cleaners. That covers training on PPE use for personal protection.
These cleaners must also be aware of the safety issues biological waste raises. Professionals also must be knowledgeable in cleaning and sterilizing all types of crime scenes. This includes conveyance, outdoor, and indoor, outdoor scenes.
Background checks are conducted on all staff members of cleaning companies. You can visit https://resources.workable.com/ to learn why companies run background checks on employees. These companies often drug test their employees as well. This ensures that clients know their items are safe should the team have to enter a personal residence or company.
Liability Coverage
The cleanup could be paid for by the homeowner’s insurance. Still, any decent cleaning business should have insurance as well. Liability insurance helps protect clients should an accident occur.
Imagine if, following the departure of the cleanup staff, a hazardous chemical contaminates the surroundings. Insurance for pollution liability can protect the client and the business. So, if you are looking for a cleanup company, ensure they have proper insurance coverage.
Personal Requirements to Work as a Crime Scene Cleaner
Companies that clean an incident site must have qualifications, licenses, and staff training. Requirements for the staff members exist as well. These are the major requirements for clean-up staff members.
Education
First you will need a high school degree if you choose to work as a crime scene cleaner. Most firms should also find a GED sufficient. Getting into this field of cleaning requires no particular degree. Once employed, staff members get on-the-job training.
You might have to go through:
- Training in airborne and bloodborne pathogens
- Training in hazardous substance generation transportation
- Training in PPE usage
This profession is a no-experience-needed job; however, it gives you an advantage over others. You just need a related background. Jobs in forensics and medical have bearing on crime scene cleanup. Backgrounds in public health or law enforcement could also work to your benefit.
Physicality
Being a crime scene cleaner requires physical fitness unlike in conventional cleaning professions. You can read this article to learn how to increase your physical fitness. This is because you might have to work all day, lift large objects, or both. For some tasks, you might also have to wear a biohazard suit simultaneously.
Your body temperature will rise and your breathing will be restricted as result. Professionals in best health and fitness are more suited for these demands. So, if you desire this job, go get fit because you’ll need it.
Just as physicality is crucial, so is the appropriate mindset. Professionals should exhibit compassion and pay great attention to detail. Especially vital is having a strong stomach. You may be handling blood and other bodily materials after all.
Proper Knowledge and Usage of Equipment
As we already noted, wearing PPE is a major requirement. But what additional kinds of tools do these cleanup companies employ? Usually, this kind of cleanup requires two kinds of tools.
These are standard and crime scene-specific tools. Among standard cleaning tools are mops, sponges, and towels. Common cleaning tools also are household chemicals like ammonia and bleach. Every tool used has to be disposed of following biological waste cleaning.
Cleanup firms also use some specialized tools. This includes containers for hazardous material (hazmat) and blood solvents. Companies could also carry tools for wiping tear gas or fingerprint powder.
There are also big transportation vans used by cleaning firms. Professionals can then carry away permanently damaged objects. Things like destroyed carpeting and bloodstained furniture, for instance.
Conclusion
Crime scene cleanup companies don’t just start operation out of the blue. They begin operations after meeting certain requirements. This article discusses in detail the requirements that these firms must meet in order to do business.
