Regardless of how a biohazard or outbreak incidence happens, employers and property owners are usually responsible for the hazardous cleanup. Biohazardous events can occur at work,at home or in public areas with heavy traffic. Whether a natural disaster, mechanical or building failure, or human intent is the cause of a biohazardous situation, employers and property managers must act quickly to contain, assess and remediate properties.Situations involving the potential spread of infectious diseases require professional containment and cleanup. Technical and critical containment barriers, removal, disinfection and remediation protocols are needed to stay in alignment with all governmental regulations and goes beyond clean up.
Per the DebGroup, every 60 seconds, a working adult touches as many as 30 objects which may be contaminated by bacteria or viruses causing infectious disease.
The CDC is focused on supporting communities, businesses and schools to deal with potential outbreaks of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The CDC’s published a guide for employers regarding a potential Coronavirus outbreak, which includes direction on these topics
- Actively encouraging sick employees to stay at home
- Communication of sick policies and hygiene standard
- Continual environmental cleaning
- Communication of travel advisory bulletins
- Establishing a protocol for informing employees of COVID-19 exposure
- Risk assessment for COVID-19 in compliance with confidentiality standards of the American Disability Act (ADA)
Garrett McKenzie, Inc. is one of the few firms in Chicago whose entire staff is HAZWOPER trained and certified for biohazard cleanup. Our vast experience in emergency response of biohazard remediation encompass hospitals and medical centers, universities and schools, daycare centers, sports centers, hotels and restaurants, including an extensive resume in other sectors.
The HAZWOPER is a performance-oriented standard; the level and type of training under this standard must be based on reasonably anticipated worst-case scenarios. Employers must determine the appropriate training levels for their employees, taking into account the potential hazards the workers could be exposed to, as well as the variability of events and operations in which workers are expected to engage.
Having written standards and protocols to address containment, decontamination and remediation for potential viral outbreaks, pathogens and visible blood exposure is the first step to addressing hazardous incidents in the workplace. Regardless of how casual the exposure, accident or what caused the incident, a plan must be in place for containment and remediation. Being familiar with your responsibilities before an emergency happens is the key to understanding when to contact and secure remediation professionals.
“Communities, schools and businesses in Illinois and across the country should begin preparing now for the new coronavirus disease, officially called COVID-19,” a top official for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The statement continued with the warning, “It’s only a matter of time before the new coronavirus spreads to communities across the United States, including Illinois.”
Contact the trusted team at Garrett McKenzie for any biohazard remediation services including necessary prevention or cleanup due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
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