Crime scene technicians handle biohazardous materials such as bodily fluids, toxic substances, and contagious pathogens. The presence of knives, needles, and broken glass raises the risk of infection. Robust protection is vital to protect workers whilst they sanitize the location to clinical standards.
If you need crime scene cleanup services in Virginia and North Carolina, it is imperative to hire a certified team with industry-approved equipment. You will safeguard the well-being of the technicians and ensure that you receive professional service.
Health Risks Faced by Crime Scene Cleanup Technicians
Making a crime scene safe for habitation puts technicians at personal risk. Exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM) could transmit the following Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP):
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Hepatitis Types B and C (HBV/HCV)
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Clostridium difficile (C.diff)
- SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
- Influenza viruses
- Norovirus
- Human parvovirus B19
Contact with biological waste also exposes technicians to digestive pathogens such as Escherichia coli (E.coli), Salmonella, and Klebsiella. Due to the risks, all workers must complete training certified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
What Safety Equipment Is Necessary For Crime Scene Cleanup?
The OSHA publishes regulatory guidelines for biohazard technicians. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is an absolute requirement for all crime scene professionals. A full PPE set comprises several modular items.
HAZMAT Protective Suits
Hazardous material (HAZMAT) suits function as protective barriers over all exposed body tissue. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and OSHA list four HAZMAT levels:
- Level A protects the wearer from all liquid, airborne, and chemical hazards.
- Level B offers the same protection against respiratory hazards but has less protection for the body.
- Level C protects against liquids, particulate matter, and airborne pathogens, but chemical gases and vapors pose a threat.
- Level D consists of basic protection such as boots, gloves, goggles, hard hats, and coveralls.
HAZMAT materials must be suitable for use in multiple situations. The level of risk determines which textile gives the most appropriate protection.
- Cotton-polyester blends provide splash protection from hazardous liquids. Thick layers help insulate the body from burns and abrasions.
- Tyvek, or polyethylene, protects against pathogens 1 micron or larger, but it remains permeable to vapors and gases.
- PVC suits are impervious to dangerous fluids, but gases and vapors can penetrate their layers. Lack of breathability may raise the risk of exhaustion.
- Gas-protective suits use composite textiles such as D-MEX, Tychem, and Zytron 500. These are trademarked products due to their complex production.
HAZMAT suits form the protective foundations of crime scene cleanup work. Technicians combine them with modular items to achieve holistic safety.
Respiratory System Protection
Cleanup professionals use filtration or respiration devices to protect their lungs from damage. The level of protection is relative to the anticipated hazards at the scene.
- Filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) – The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic popularized FFRs as barriers against microbial pathogens. They resemble surgical facemasks and are disposable units. FFRs have integrated cartridges and a protruding design, which allows for a tight seal.
- FFR Safety Ratings – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has approved N-95 FFRs to filter 95% of airborne particulate matter, including microbes. N-95 is the minimum level of protection, but ratings up to N100 are available. Masks with R and P ratings use oil-resistant materials.
- Elastomeric Half-face Respirators – These are reusable devices with two replaceable cartridges that resemble classic ‘gas masks’. Rubber seals ensure the device is airtight on the user’s face. Specialized cartridges protect against specific airborne hazards.
- Elastomeric Full-face Respirators – The addition of an integrated face shield negates the need for separate eye protection. The single-unit design is easy to fit and resistant to accidental removal.
- Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) – Scuba divers use them to stay submerged for extended periods, but SCBAs are essential to hazard removal in toxic gas environments. Cylinders filled with nitrogen and oxygen provide breathable air to the mouthpiece.
HAZMAT levels A and B require SCBA units to protect against toxic gases. Level C activities suffice with elastomeric respirators or FFRs combined with face shields.
Eye Protection
Crime scenes can expose the eyes to sharp objects, chemicals, and contaminated fluids. Contact can cause vision damage and enable pathogens to enter the blood. There are three main types of eye safety equipment:
- Safety goggles keep the eyes safe from projectiles and direct contact. However, liquids can enter the eye via the exposed corners.
- Chemical splash goggles protect the entire eye area from liquids. An elastic strap tightens the goggles to the face.
- Face shields guard the whole face from liquids, solids, and projectiles. Shields can be paired with chemical splash goggles for increased safety.
Most crime scene professionals use face shields for their superior safety. The additional protection from ingested pathogens makes them ideal for cleanup work.
Non-porous Gloves
Crime scene professionals must cover their hands at all times. The gloves must be sealed at the wrists to prevent liquids from dripping down the forearm.
Three main materials offer different protection levels:
- Double-layered latex gloves protect the hands from liquid contamination. Technicians wear one pair over the other for added durability.
- Nitrile rubber gloves offer better protection from abrasions, lacerations, and punctures. Like latex, nitrile prevents contact with contaminated liquids.
- Chemical-resistant rubber gloves protect the hands from corrosive chemicals. They tend to be thicker than nitrile and latex for greater abrasion resistance.
Non-porous gloves are disposable to mitigate the risk of cross-contamination. Rubber gloves can be sanitized and reused in certain cases.
Chemical Spill Boots
Crime scene cleanups demand durable footwear that resists liquid threats. Chemical spill boots are made from two standard materials.
- PVC/polyurethane is the most common material due to its impermeable and durable nature. PVC boots are resistant to mineral and inorganic acids. They keep feet safe from oil, grease, and infectious fluids.
- Neoprene boots offer greater protection from alkali spills than PVC. They are also more flexible for greater ease of movement.
Boots should have steel-reinforced toe caps and arch support. Like all PPE, quality footwear allows technicians to apply their technical skills without distractions.
Why Wait for a Professional Cleanup Service?
The Aftercare is a family-run environmental service based in Virginia and North Carolina. We have taken care of our clients’ cleaning needs for over two decades. Our fully certified technicians will help you recover from the incident as fast as possible.
We offer cleaning services for crime scenes, sites of death, raw sewage, animal waste, infectious diseases, and more. Our emergency team is available 24/7 and can reach most local areas in under an hour. Need assistance? Reach out today.