Three Reasons You Should Care About PPE

You may have noticed that emergency medical personnel, doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals wear special gloves, gowns, and other clothing. This is a simple precaution they take in order to prevent blood or potentially infectious body fluids from coming in contact with their skin.

Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as “PPE,” is equipment worn to minimize exposure to serious workplace injuries and illnesses. In the business of crime scene cleaning, dangers come in many forms, including bloodborne pathogens, possible sharps, and chemical or biological agents. In all workplaces, the law requires employers to provide their employees with a safe working environment, even if the work itself is difficult or dangerous. Additionally, federal organizations like OSHA have created strict standards for PPE to ensure employees remain safe, even where they could potentially face challenges.

So how does wearing PPE impact you, as a consumer? Assuming that you call upon a biohazard cleaning company during a traumatic situation, PPE may never cross your mind. And it shouldn’t have to – beyond procuring the necessary equipment, professional biohazard remediation services should also provide instructions, procedures, training and supervision to ensure employees work safely and responsibly. Aftermath Services does all of these things – while also giving you the best in courteous, efficient service, plus a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee. To learn about the three major advantages of PPE, read on:

PPE Shows That Safety is the Primary Concern

First and foremost, companies use PPE to protect their employees, keeping them safe and healthy while they work. Personal protective equipment used by most crime scene cleaners includes disposable, non-porous gloves, chemical spill boots, filtered respirators, and a protective suit. Most of this equipment is deemed one-time-use and is immediately discarded after the job in special hazardous waste containers.

Other established regulations such as Bloodborne Pathogen Standards urge employers to adopt “universal precautions,” and help inform the industry standards used by professional crime scene cleanup companies like Aftermath Services. This prevention strategy means that all blood and potentially infectious materials are treated as if they are, in fact, infectious, regardless of the perceived status of the source or person. In other words, whether or not you think the blood/body fluid is infected with bloodborne pathogens, you treat it as if it is. This approach is used in situations where exposure to blood or potentially infectious materials is possible.

PPE is Cost Effective Protection for Insurance Adjusters

When property is damaged as the result of a suicide, murder or unattended death, unique risks and complexities come into play for the insurance adjuster, the biohazard cleanup company, and of course, the policyholder. Many cleaning and restoration companies offer bioremediation services, but only those that specialize in this area truly understand the science and intricacies of the bioremediation process. Although no laws exist to protect policyholders throughout a biohazard cleaning process, there is still responsibility on the end of the insurance carrier to utilize bioremediation specialists who follow strict safety standards and cleanup procedures, including the use of PPE. Shortcutting a family on quality assurance could potentially present major consequences for not only the policyholders, but for insurance companies themselves.

PPE Means Better Liability Protection for Homeowners

More than just protecting workers, PPE also protects the property owner from potential legal and financial damages. Wearing the correct PPE helps to ensure that the work conducted in your home or business is performed in a safe and legal manner. Aftermath uses PPE that is specially designed to handle blood, OPIM, and other substances likely encountered on at a job site. Sharps such as needles and glass necessitate gloves that are strong enough to resist puncture, yet flexible enough to allow the use of tools. While the upfront costs may seem higher, the risks of going without are far greater and potentially more costly.

When you experience a traumatic situation, the first people you call are professionals: doctors, paramedics, or even law enforcement. The “second responders,” those who step in to assist you after the crisis has passed, should also be professionals. The use of proper equipment, including PPE, is one way you can be sure that those who are taking care of your health and safety are also doing their best for their employees.

In addition to PPE, there are many other factors that should go into consideration when choosing a biohazard remediation company. Our 28-point Checklist is useful for families, as well as adjusters who go the extra mile for their clients and wish to lend additional support during a time of stress and hardship. We also have an FAQ Resource Guide available, which agents can distribute to those in need. Check our marketing materials page for more information on this free service, or print the 28-point checklist PDF.

If you’re experiencing a biohazard situation, or have questions regarding our services, please call 877-872-4339. Aftermath Services is on call 24/7, with offices located strategically throughout the nation to better serve you.