An increase in meth production means more trouble for police. First, they must catch the criminals. Then, comes the dirty work of the clean-up.
A meth crime scene is full of toxic chemicals. Sapulpa police busted one just overnight. They say it was inside a detached garage near Mission and Hobson.
Three people were arrested.
The job of removing the chemicals means hours of painstaking work. All across the state, firefighters take their share of meth lab calls. And, how those calls are handled depends on what county those labs are in.
In Sapulpa, firefighters are always on standby when called to meth labs like the one overnight. They're there to put out a fire. For the more dangerous labs, they'd probably send for a special haz mat trailer originally designed for other environmental or chemical emergencies. Now it has another use, occasionally responding to meth labs.
"If there was a release that we needed the truck, we'd take it. All we'd do is until clean up crew arrived."
But Wagoner County is different. They're taking a more hands on approach to meth labs and their cleanups.
"Our deputies in the past have had to handle the trash from the cleanup in their vehicles which is very dangerous for the deputies," says Sheriff Bob Colbert.
But that's all about to change. For meth lab busts, Wagoner County has ordered a specially-equipped truck to handle meth lab cleanups. Two deputies are already trained to remove what they call meth lab trash and they don't have to rely on cities like Tulsa for help.
"Obviously it's a burden on them, the smaller agencies to have to use their clean up crew," Colbert says. "We took it upon ourself to get our clean up crew."
It's a big undertaking and one that many cities and counties don't want. Sapulpa's fire department in fact wants no part in the business of meth lab cleanups.
"We don't want to clean up. That would take too much time from the guys on the truck."
Not to mention the safety issue. But, with meth labs on the rise in Wagoner -- fifty since the beginning of the year -- it's an investment this county is willing to make.
The new meth lab clean up truck costs around 27-thousand dollars. It is supposed to arrive within six weeks.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Crime Scene Leftovers Pose Problem For Sanitation
Call it the Case of the Bloody Mattress.
City sanitation workers in southwestern Kentucky were recently left with the problem of how to dispose of a bloody mattress put out with the trash.
The mattress came from a home where police say a 37-year-old man appears to have died from self-inflicted stab wounds. The problem came when trash collectors realized they couldn't pick up a potential biohazard, but didn't want to leave it by the side of the road in a residential neighborhood in Hopkinsville.
"This was an area of concern for us because blood is considered a biohazard and not only can our trash trucks not pick it up, but it could be dangerous for people in the community," said George Hampton, a route supervisor for Hopkinsville Solid Waste Authority.
The Kentucky New Era reports that the mattress disappeared by midweek, but sanitation officials didn't take it and were still trying to make sure it was properly disposed of. The location of the mattress remained a mystery at week's end.
Hopkinsville sanitation workers received an anonymous call reporting a mattress, possibly covered in blood, that had been set on a curb outside of a home. That was the concern of the anonymous caller, Hampton said, who said children in the neighborhood could start to play on the mattress and come into contact with the dried blood that might have diseases.
Because there was blood on the mattress, sanitation workers couldn't haul it off with the rest of the trash.
"It raises a question for us about where we take it from here," Hampton said. "Someone has to clean up messes like these and we can't do it."
Solid Waste Superintendent Bill Bailey said sanitation workers aren't allowed to pick up possible biohazards, including blood, from the side of the road. Instead, Bailey said, the department needs to call other landfills to see who will pick up and take the items.
"Sometimes we can process and wrap it in plastic and dispose of it that way. But other times we have to contact a company that deals with disposing of medical waste."
Charlotte Write, a spokeswoman for Stericycle, a national company that specializes in medical waste disposal, said medical waste is generally burned to kill pathogens that can live in dried blood.
"It is important to dispose of all medical waste, especially waste that comes from the body, so as not to spread diseases," Write said.
Hopkinsville Police Chief Guy Howie said the families must clean up the scene of a murder or suicide or pay to have it done.
"It doesn't sound very friendly, I know, but that's just how it has to be handled," Howie said. "Someone has to clean it up and someone has to dispose of all of this, it's just a matter of figuring out who. It's amazing that just one mattress on a curb can raise so many questions."
Someone solved sanitation's problem by taking the mattress from in front of the home. Bailey said sanitation workers didn't remove it, but finding out what became of the mattress is important. It had to be properly sterilized and disposed of.
"We can't just stick it in our landfill and be done with it," Bailey said. "Whether it's on that curb or not, it's still hazardous material."
Friday, June 12, 2009
A local man's company helps families clean up after a death
By MATT GLEASON World Scene Writer
Bill Coye met death in the back of an ambulance as a rookie EMT, one who'd left behind life as an assistant chef to save lives at high speeds. But death didn't care that Coye was trying to keep a heart-attack victim alive.
Death simply brushed right by him to leave Coye riding in a glorified hearse.
Later, as Coye's sweat cooled and his adrenaline waned, he noticed something about the dead man: The second hand on his gold-toned watch was still moving.
In that moment, Coye understood, "Time continues and life goes on."
Years later, Coye is now in his mid-40s and serves as a St. Francis trauma/surgical/ICU nurse. He's also the owner of Apex Bioclean, a
local crime and trauma scene cleanup service. So, in a sense, when second hands sweep over the 6 and 12 long after their owners stop breathing, Coye's cell phone rings and it's time to go to work.
Soon after, Coye's unmarked white van arrives on the scene just as it has for the past 2 ? years. Then he makes his way from the front door to where the dead met their end. Sometimes Coye and his crew arrive on scene to clean
up after a lonely, dead body that was ultimately discovered after days or weeks.
Coye's team also gets the call to handle meth lab cleanup.
Then there are the other kinds of jobs, like cleaning up industrial accidents and "pack rat" properties, where Coye once helped recover $150,000-worth of diamonds lost among 12 tons of trash. Heck, Apex will even remove the stench of a dead skunk found beneath a house, or vanquish the overwhelming smell of a moth-ball-laden
attic.
City and state government employees cannot refer any one company to clean up a crime and trauma scene, Coye said, but officials can provide a list of companies — including Apex — to the victim's family. "How traumatic is that?" Coye asked. "No. 1: to lose a family member in such a violent way, whether it be suicide or homicide with a handgun, hanging, whatever the case may be. And then turn around and have to get on your hands and knees with a brush, a mop, a sponge, and have to clean it up. Friends and family are not prepared emotionally, nor are they prepared technically, to handle the situation."
After all, there's a reason why Coye only hires professionals who can withstand cleaning up the aftermath of, say, a father who killed his two children, or a wife who looked her husband right in the eye before pulling the trigger.
COMPASSION
Bill Coye: “There has to be a professional barrier a little bit to function at the level that we do day after day after day. That doesn’t mean we’re not compassionate
by any stretch of the imagination.” "I can take that (professional) and teach them how to clean these properties," Coye said. "I can't take someone who is not involved as a firefighter, a paramedic, a registered nurse, and teach them what they need to know."
Coye has tried hiring outside of those specialties, but ended up with folks who'd seen too many episodes of "CSI." "It winds up being individuals who like crime scene novels, and want the yellow tape and the chalk outline," he said. "The harsh reality is it's a very difficult job. We're in Tyvek suits, masks, gloves and boots. It's hot. We have to deal with heat stress frequently and we have to stay hydrated.
"And the smells involved," he said, then paused for a second. "If you have anything against maggots, this is certainly nothing for you to do,because we see them virtually on every single scene."
Although Coye hires nurses and other professionals, he made an exceptions for his own son, 17-year-old Taylor. But, as Coye said, the kid's a natural.
As for 23-year-old Natasha Henson, she's Coye's right-hand woman. As a certified nurse's aide, she came to Apex understanding the importance of being empathetic — not sympathetic — to the victims' families, Henson said, because she has no idea what it must feel like for a mother, for instance, to walk into a son's bloodied room and wish she hadn't. "When I first started, it was emotionally draining, but you just have to learn how to separate yourself," she said. "You have to look at the
blood and the guts as: 'That's stuff that needs to be removed, and I need to do it. If I don't, (the family) will. And they don't need to see this.'
"
Thinking about everything he's seen on the job, Coye said, "We all have different defense mechanisms. Although, we can't wear these
stories on our sleeves when we're doing the work — we'd never be able to do the next one.
"There has to be a professional barrier a little bit to function at the level that we do day after day after day. That doesn't mean we're not
compassionate by any stretch of the imagination."
Actually, that compassion carries over to not charging the families of homicide victims.
The man who knows how to get blood spatters out of a wedding dress hung in a victim's closet said, "There is an opportunity for us to
extend our professional services and be a resource for the community."
Not long ago, Coye sat at his dining room table when his cell phone rang.
"Apex Bioclean, this is Bill," he said to the funeral director on the other end of the line.
While Coye jotted notes on a flower company flier, he used his ink pen to direct a visitor's attention to one word: suicide.
Then somewhere in Oklahoma, a second hand swept over the face of a clock as the dead woman's loved ones waited for someone to
wash away tangible reminders of a very bad day.
To visit Apex Bioclean online, visit www.tulsaworld.com/apexbioclean.
Bill Coye met death in the back of an ambulance as a rookie EMT, one who'd left behind life as an assistant chef to save lives at high speeds. But death didn't care that Coye was trying to keep a heart-attack victim alive.
Death simply brushed right by him to leave Coye riding in a glorified hearse.
Later, as Coye's sweat cooled and his adrenaline waned, he noticed something about the dead man: The second hand on his gold-toned watch was still moving.
In that moment, Coye understood, "Time continues and life goes on."
Years later, Coye is now in his mid-40s and serves as a St. Francis trauma/surgical/ICU nurse. He's also the owner of Apex Bioclean, a
local crime and trauma scene cleanup service. So, in a sense, when second hands sweep over the 6 and 12 long after their owners stop breathing, Coye's cell phone rings and it's time to go to work.
Soon after, Coye's unmarked white van arrives on the scene just as it has for the past 2 ? years. Then he makes his way from the front door to where the dead met their end. Sometimes Coye and his crew arrive on scene to clean
up after a lonely, dead body that was ultimately discovered after days or weeks.
Coye's team also gets the call to handle meth lab cleanup.
Then there are the other kinds of jobs, like cleaning up industrial accidents and "pack rat" properties, where Coye once helped recover $150,000-worth of diamonds lost among 12 tons of trash. Heck, Apex will even remove the stench of a dead skunk found beneath a house, or vanquish the overwhelming smell of a moth-ball-laden
attic.
City and state government employees cannot refer any one company to clean up a crime and trauma scene, Coye said, but officials can provide a list of companies — including Apex — to the victim's family. "How traumatic is that?" Coye asked. "No. 1: to lose a family member in such a violent way, whether it be suicide or homicide with a handgun, hanging, whatever the case may be. And then turn around and have to get on your hands and knees with a brush, a mop, a sponge, and have to clean it up. Friends and family are not prepared emotionally, nor are they prepared technically, to handle the situation."
After all, there's a reason why Coye only hires professionals who can withstand cleaning up the aftermath of, say, a father who killed his two children, or a wife who looked her husband right in the eye before pulling the trigger.
COMPASSION
Bill Coye: “There has to be a professional barrier a little bit to function at the level that we do day after day after day. That doesn’t mean we’re not compassionate
by any stretch of the imagination.” "I can take that (professional) and teach them how to clean these properties," Coye said. "I can't take someone who is not involved as a firefighter, a paramedic, a registered nurse, and teach them what they need to know."
Coye has tried hiring outside of those specialties, but ended up with folks who'd seen too many episodes of "CSI." "It winds up being individuals who like crime scene novels, and want the yellow tape and the chalk outline," he said. "The harsh reality is it's a very difficult job. We're in Tyvek suits, masks, gloves and boots. It's hot. We have to deal with heat stress frequently and we have to stay hydrated.
"And the smells involved," he said, then paused for a second. "If you have anything against maggots, this is certainly nothing for you to do,because we see them virtually on every single scene."
Although Coye hires nurses and other professionals, he made an exceptions for his own son, 17-year-old Taylor. But, as Coye said, the kid's a natural.
As for 23-year-old Natasha Henson, she's Coye's right-hand woman. As a certified nurse's aide, she came to Apex understanding the importance of being empathetic — not sympathetic — to the victims' families, Henson said, because she has no idea what it must feel like for a mother, for instance, to walk into a son's bloodied room and wish she hadn't. "When I first started, it was emotionally draining, but you just have to learn how to separate yourself," she said. "You have to look at the
blood and the guts as: 'That's stuff that needs to be removed, and I need to do it. If I don't, (the family) will. And they don't need to see this.'
"
Thinking about everything he's seen on the job, Coye said, "We all have different defense mechanisms. Although, we can't wear these
stories on our sleeves when we're doing the work — we'd never be able to do the next one.
"There has to be a professional barrier a little bit to function at the level that we do day after day after day. That doesn't mean we're not
compassionate by any stretch of the imagination."
Actually, that compassion carries over to not charging the families of homicide victims.
The man who knows how to get blood spatters out of a wedding dress hung in a victim's closet said, "There is an opportunity for us to
extend our professional services and be a resource for the community."
Not long ago, Coye sat at his dining room table when his cell phone rang.
"Apex Bioclean, this is Bill," he said to the funeral director on the other end of the line.
While Coye jotted notes on a flower company flier, he used his ink pen to direct a visitor's attention to one word: suicide.
Then somewhere in Oklahoma, a second hand swept over the face of a clock as the dead woman's loved ones waited for someone to
wash away tangible reminders of a very bad day.
To visit Apex Bioclean online, visit www.tulsaworld.com/apexbioclean.
Cleaning up after Crime
Once detectives leave and the crime scene tape comes down, families are left to
clean up if a loved one is murdered or commits suicide. Now APEX BioClean LLC is
prepared to step in to help.
Owner Bill Coye founded APEX BioClean LLC in November 2005. A medical
professional for 16 years, working both as a critical care nurse and paramedic.
Coye has responded to hundreds of crime scenes and witnessed first hand the
grief and trauma families experience following such a tragedy. With the rise in
violent crime and suicides, Coye concluded there is a serious need for a professional service to help victims.
“Losing a loved one is very difficult but having to clean up after a tragedy is like being victimized twice. Many people
believe that police or paramedics clean up after a traumatic event. The truth is that friends and family have been the
ones to bear this burden,” explains Coye.
Coye says not only can it be traumatic, but crime scenes also pose a big health risk as they often involve potentially
hazardous substances.
“A body that has decomposed over days or weeks represents a real danger to clean up to anyone other than a
professional biohazard cleanup service. The mess, as well as the smell, can be overwhelming. Blood borne pathogens,
HIV, Hepatitis A. B and C to name a few, are a very real threat and need to be handled by a professional such as Apex to
ensure proper removal and disposal. The Centers for Disease Control website lists 28 diseases that can be contracted
while in the hospital. Just think of what can grow after a week or two on the scene of a human decomposition,” explains
Coye.
He says that is why it’s crucial that a trained professional cleans up after the scene of a crime or unforeseen death. When
a private citizen takes on the responsibility, it can create a health risk for the public.
“Where does the human tissue, bloody bedding and carpet go after a gunshot suicide? the trash can or dumpster. Kids
love to play around dumpsters. There are blood borne pathogens that can live for weeks outside of the body. A
professional biohazard cleanup service must be used to ensure proper cleaning, removal and disposal of all contaminated
materials,” explains Coye.
Federal OSHA regulations state that all blood and bodily fluids must be treated as contaminated. The staff of APEX
BioClean brings years of medical experience to each one of these scenes. The company is compliant with all OSHA
guidelines and all disinfectants have received FDA approval.
Bill Coye has received the most comprehensive training and all staff is certified in biohazard decontamination. APEX
BioClean LLC is listed as a certified company with the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration.
The mission of APEX BioClean LLC is to provide a safe, professional and compassionate service to families.
“Not one family member should have to clean up after a violent or unforeseen death. Our clients are treated with the
dignity and respect they deserve,” added Coye.
Print
clean up if a loved one is murdered or commits suicide. Now APEX BioClean LLC is
prepared to step in to help.
Owner Bill Coye founded APEX BioClean LLC in November 2005. A medical
professional for 16 years, working both as a critical care nurse and paramedic.
Coye has responded to hundreds of crime scenes and witnessed first hand the
grief and trauma families experience following such a tragedy. With the rise in
violent crime and suicides, Coye concluded there is a serious need for a professional service to help victims.
“Losing a loved one is very difficult but having to clean up after a tragedy is like being victimized twice. Many people
believe that police or paramedics clean up after a traumatic event. The truth is that friends and family have been the
ones to bear this burden,” explains Coye.
Coye says not only can it be traumatic, but crime scenes also pose a big health risk as they often involve potentially
hazardous substances.
“A body that has decomposed over days or weeks represents a real danger to clean up to anyone other than a
professional biohazard cleanup service. The mess, as well as the smell, can be overwhelming. Blood borne pathogens,
HIV, Hepatitis A. B and C to name a few, are a very real threat and need to be handled by a professional such as Apex to
ensure proper removal and disposal. The Centers for Disease Control website lists 28 diseases that can be contracted
while in the hospital. Just think of what can grow after a week or two on the scene of a human decomposition,” explains
Coye.
He says that is why it’s crucial that a trained professional cleans up after the scene of a crime or unforeseen death. When
a private citizen takes on the responsibility, it can create a health risk for the public.
“Where does the human tissue, bloody bedding and carpet go after a gunshot suicide? the trash can or dumpster. Kids
love to play around dumpsters. There are blood borne pathogens that can live for weeks outside of the body. A
professional biohazard cleanup service must be used to ensure proper cleaning, removal and disposal of all contaminated
materials,” explains Coye.
Federal OSHA regulations state that all blood and bodily fluids must be treated as contaminated. The staff of APEX
BioClean brings years of medical experience to each one of these scenes. The company is compliant with all OSHA
guidelines and all disinfectants have received FDA approval.
Bill Coye has received the most comprehensive training and all staff is certified in biohazard decontamination. APEX
BioClean LLC is listed as a certified company with the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration.
The mission of APEX BioClean LLC is to provide a safe, professional and compassionate service to families.
“Not one family member should have to clean up after a violent or unforeseen death. Our clients are treated with the
dignity and respect they deserve,” added Coye.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Cleaning Up A Crime Scene
Family members have plenty to deal with when a loved one is killed, but when police finish investigating a crime scene someone has to clean it up.
Natasha Henson is a nurse technician by day. At night, she is a crime scene cleaner for Apex BioClean. Natasha will clean up a scene where someone was the victim of a deadly crime. Natasha Henson admits it is a difficult job, physically and emotionally.
”No one should be traumatized twice. So meaning, brother goes in to his room and kills himself. His mother shouldn't have to clean him up. That's where we come in," says Natasha Henson.
By the time Natasha is called in to clean, police have finished their work. The body is gone, but all remnants of the crime must be cleaned.
"Just the glossy light color, but it still has the little bit of a red tinge. But it still looks like spinal fluid. That's exactly what it looks like," says Natasha Henson.
She says the area that needs cleaning depends on the size of the contaminated area.
"The bullet goes in. If it comes out, it splatters everywhere. Ceilings, into other rooms, into drawers, anything that's open,” says Natasha Henson.
Natasha dresses in a full body suit, protecting her eyes, hands and mouth.
Once carpets are pulled out, a special vacuum sucks up what is left over. Then, the floor is scrubbed. Everything used in the process is tossed in a biohazard bin and destroyed.
Natasha Henson says hopefully, all the memories of what happened will go away, too.
Cost of a crime scene cleanup depends on how much work has to be done.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Why you need crime scene cleanup services
By Alex Thomson
Crime scene cleanup or trauma scene cleanup after the death of someone either violently or naturally is by and large the responsibility of the victim’s family. Even till few years ago, there were a handful of cleaning companies that specialized in trauma cleaning service. But today this niche service has emerged as a lucrative business and there are many companies who provide this service.
Trauma cleaning service requires special experience, skills, equipment and expertise to deal with different types of bio-hazardous waste and dispose them efficiently with the minimum possible emotional stress to the victim’s family.
The most traumatic form of death is violent death and leaves the victim’s family feeling both victimized and traumatized. Coming to terms with the unnatural death of a loved one is in itself an uphill task for the bereaved family, and to top it they have to deal with other practical matters like making funeral arrangements, dealing with insurance issues, contacting surviving family and friends and locating wills. Furthermore, in case of violent crimes the police and the media are also involved. This can really overwhelm any family. Here is where trauma cleaning service comes to your rescue. They lighten one of the heaviest burdens, that is of dealing with the horrid murder cleanup. They will take care of the crime scene cleanup, ensuring that the scene is restored to its pre-incidental state as far as possible and in the most quick and efficient manner thus allowing you to deal with other important matters. Most service providers work discreetly and protect the confidentiality of the sufferer and family.
Most of the times, the crime scenes are so ghastly that they can induce additional emotional trauma in victim’s friends and family. By hiring professionals for cleanup, you can reduce this emotional stress. Immediately after death the nature begins its process of breaking down the body. Unattended death scene and dead bodies can be dangerous as it gives rise to blood borne pathogens, mold spores and bacteria. You may try to clean the area by yourself but the exposure may result in flu-like diseases or direct attack on the respiratory system. So it is advisable to leave this job to professionals who specialize in bio fluid and blood remediation.
The total cost involving a trauma scene cleanup will depend on a number of factors. One of the most major factors is that how many technicians will be needed for the job, how long will the job take and the quantity of hazardous material that needs to be treated and disposed of. It can range anywhere in the range of $100 to $1000 per hour. Some people might call this business as capitalizing on death but it is still essential and indispensable in case of a death.
Crime scene cleanup or trauma scene cleanup after the death of someone either violently or naturally is by and large the responsibility of the victim’s family. Even till few years ago, there were a handful of cleaning companies that specialized in trauma cleaning service. But today this niche service has emerged as a lucrative business and there are many companies who provide this service.
Trauma cleaning service requires special experience, skills, equipment and expertise to deal with different types of bio-hazardous waste and dispose them efficiently with the minimum possible emotional stress to the victim’s family.
The most traumatic form of death is violent death and leaves the victim’s family feeling both victimized and traumatized. Coming to terms with the unnatural death of a loved one is in itself an uphill task for the bereaved family, and to top it they have to deal with other practical matters like making funeral arrangements, dealing with insurance issues, contacting surviving family and friends and locating wills. Furthermore, in case of violent crimes the police and the media are also involved. This can really overwhelm any family. Here is where trauma cleaning service comes to your rescue. They lighten one of the heaviest burdens, that is of dealing with the horrid murder cleanup. They will take care of the crime scene cleanup, ensuring that the scene is restored to its pre-incidental state as far as possible and in the most quick and efficient manner thus allowing you to deal with other important matters. Most service providers work discreetly and protect the confidentiality of the sufferer and family.
Most of the times, the crime scenes are so ghastly that they can induce additional emotional trauma in victim’s friends and family. By hiring professionals for cleanup, you can reduce this emotional stress. Immediately after death the nature begins its process of breaking down the body. Unattended death scene and dead bodies can be dangerous as it gives rise to blood borne pathogens, mold spores and bacteria. You may try to clean the area by yourself but the exposure may result in flu-like diseases or direct attack on the respiratory system. So it is advisable to leave this job to professionals who specialize in bio fluid and blood remediation.
The total cost involving a trauma scene cleanup will depend on a number of factors. One of the most major factors is that how many technicians will be needed for the job, how long will the job take and the quantity of hazardous material that needs to be treated and disposed of. It can range anywhere in the range of $100 to $1000 per hour. Some people might call this business as capitalizing on death but it is still essential and indispensable in case of a death.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Crime Scene Cleanup: What It Involves
A crime scene cleanup service is not without its complications. Crime scene cleaning encompasses restoring the crime scene to its original state. When a crime is usually discovered, crime scene cleaners are not called until after officers of the law, like the crime scene investigators, have done their jobs first and have given the go ahead for the cleaners to come in. If you intend to hire a crime scene cleanup company, you must make sure that they are well equipped and fit right to get the job done. A crime scene presents challenging conditions.
The Use Of Protective Gears:
Crime scenes can very well involve the use of hazardous or deadly substances. For safety reasons then, it has become imperative that crime scene cleaners use protective clothing, in addition to protective tools and gadgets. You must see to it that they have all the necessary protective gears and gadgets. The protective clothing can consist of disposable gloves and suits. A disposable gear is preferred nowadays since it offers the best protection against contamination. You use it one time and get rid of it. That way, the dangers of contamination is virtually brought down to zero percent. Protective clothing extends to respirators and the use of heavy-duty industrial or chemical-spill protective boots.
Among the gadgets that a crime scene cleaning company must have are special brushes, special sprayers, and wet vacuum. These special tools ensure added protection against getting into contact with the hazard could very well be present in the crime scene. There is large, special equipment such as a mounted steam injection tool that is designed to sanitize dried up biohazard materials such as scattered flesh and brain. You would also need to check if they have the specialized tank for chemical treatments and industrial strength waste containers to collect biohazard waste.
Of course, any crime scene clean up must have the usual cleaning supplies common to all cleaning service companies. There are the buckets, mops, brushes and spray bottles. For cleaning products, you should check if they use industrial cleaning products. A crime scene cleaning company must have these on their lists:
1 - Disinfectants including hydrogen peroxide and bleaches - The kinds that the hospitals used are commonly acceptable.
2 - Enzyme solvers for cleaning blood stains. It also kills viruses and bacteria.
3 - Odor removers such as foggers, ozone machines, and deodorizers
4 - Handy tools for breaking and extending such as saws, sledgehammers, and ladders
Established crime scene operators also equip themselves with cameras and take pictures of the crime scene before commencing work which. The pictures taken may prove useful for legal matters and insurance purposes. You never know which.
Needless to say, a specially fitted form of transportation and proper waste disposal is also needed. These requirements are specific. As you can imagine, crime scene cleaning is in a different category on its own. A home cleaning or janitorial service company may not be able to cope up with the demands of a crime scene. A crime scene cleanup service requires many special gears and tools that a home cleaning or a janitorial service company does not usually have or does not require. Crime scene cleaning if not done correctly can expose the public to untold hazards.
What Else To Look For In A Crime Scene Cleanup Company
You may also want to hire a company that has established itself. An experienced company with a strong reputation is always a plus but it could be expensive too. You will do well to balance your needs with what is your budget. There are several companies that offer specific prices such as for death scene clean up categories and suicide clean up categories. Most companies own a website and have round the clock customer service as receptionists.
When looking for a suitable crime scene cleaning service, among the first things you need to do is to scout for price quotes. Crime scene cleanup services usually provide quote after they have examined the crime scene and then they give you a definite quote. Factors that are usually considered include the number of personnel that will be needed to get the job done. It also includes the amount of time that might be needed. The nature and amount of the waste materials that need to be disposed will also be factored in. You can be sure that the more sophisticated equipments needed the more expensive it will get.
Crime Scene Cleanup And Your Insurance
For homeowners, the best approach is always to make sure that crime scene cleanup services clauses and provisions are written down on the contracts or policies. The inclusion of crime cleanup services clauses is very common and has become standard clause in most homeowner’s policy. Make sure that you are covered for this unforeseen event. Make sure that your policy directs the crime scene cleaning company to transact directly with the homeowner insurance company. A crime scene cleaning service is usually a standard clause in many homeowners’ insurance clause. These companies often do the paperwork in behalf of clients.
If for some reason you do not have such coverage by any policies relating to crime scene cleanup on your home, there are ways to keep your expenses controlled.
Finding the right company can be very taxing, especially that you have to deal with the emotional stress stemming from the crime itself, especially with a crime scene involving death.
There are many crime scene cleanup companies in operation nowadays. There are reliable professionals that you can hire and prices are relatively competitive. As of recently, crime-scene cleanup services can cost up to $600 for an hour of their service. A homicide case alone involving a single room and a huge amount of blood can cost about $1,000 to $3,000.
In recent years, crime scene cleaning has come to be known as, "Crime and Trauma Scene Decontamination or CTS. Basically, CTS is a special form of crime scene cleaning focusing on decontamination of the crime scene from hazardous substances such as those resulting from violent crimes or those involving chemical contaminations such as methamphetamine labs or anthrax production. This type of service is particularly common when violent crimes are committed in a home. It is rare that the residents move out of the home after it has become a scene of a crime. Most often, the residents just opt to have it cleaned up. That is why, it is very important to hire the best crime scene cleaning company out there. The place needs to be totally free from contamination of any kind. You have to make sure that the company is able to remove all traces of the violent crime that took place. This includes cleaning biohazards that are sometimes invisible to the untrained eye.
Legally speaking, federal laws state that all bodily fluids are deemed biohazards and you should make sure that the cleanup service company you hire understands this and includes it in the cleanup. These things appear as blood or tissue splattered on a crime scene. You must be able to hire a company that is equipped with special knowledge to safely handle biohazard materials. The company must have the knowledge what to search for in any give biohazard crime scene. For instance, the company should be able to tell clues such that if there is a bloodstain the size of a thumbnail on a carpet, you can bet that there is about a huge bloodstain underneath. Federal and State laws have their own laws in terms of transport and disposal of biohazard waste. Make sure that the company you hire has all the permits necessary.
It will also be a huge plus if you could hire people who not only has the special trainings but also who have the nature to be sympathetic. If you are close to the victim and have the cleaning done at the behest of the victim’s relatives, it would matter that the cleaners tread the site with some level of respect. It is a common site that family members and loved ones are often there at scene. In general, when looking for a suitable crime scene cleaners, you would take into considerations the kind of situation that the crimes scene presents and the demands that it require. Crime scene cleaning companies handle a wide variety of crime scenes and prices may vary from one to the other crime scene and one to the other company.
Each type of scene requires its own particular demands not only to make the crime scene look clean and neat on the surface but to make it germ free, and clean inside and to make it free from all deadly and infectious substances. The cleanup cost for biohazards may vary depending on degree of the bio hazard(s) on the scene. There may even be a category that changes the cleanup pricing which usually involves decomposing bodies and carcasses. Likewise, a cleanup of chemical hazards vary, depending on the amount of chemical hazards as well as the grades i.e. how hazardous the substance is in terms of human contact. Prices are also determined by the number of hours and personnel that it would to get the crime scene cleaned. In addition, the "gross factor" from crime scene involving death and gore needs to be taken under consideration regarding the chemicals that will be used as opposed to those crimes' that do not have gore involved.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Traumatic Grief
By Nancy Crump
Since the late 1980’s, we have seen an increase in interest and research on the effects of trauma on the grief process. We have learned that the grief process from the sudden, unexpected, and often violent deaths of suicide, homicide, auto accidents, natural disasters, and other types of deaths, is very different from the grief process of those who have died from natural causes, old age, or long-termed illness. Many, if not all, of the deaths faced by Bio Technicians fall into the category of traumatic. Those family members who hire you have usually been touched by the trauma of the death. Understanding the traumatic grief process and its differences from other types of grief may be of some help to you as you deal with these family members.
There are several key elements that make the responses by family members to a traumatic death difficult. First is the suddenness of the death. Family members usually did not have time to prepare themselves for the death and to make the psychological adjustments to cope with the news of the death. Also, the suddenness of the death does not give the family an opportunity to say goodbye to the victim before their death. Second, the violence of the death may leave the family with horrific memories and nightmares that often interfere with the grief process. Third, many of these types of deaths require police intervention and the family is often not given the support, information, and compassion they need at the time. Another element can be the presence of the media at the time of the death, as well as weeks and months later if legal issues follow the death. Most traumatic deaths involve young people who’s parents, grandparents, and siblings may still live. Certainly, the death of a child or young person is very difficult to cope with.
Reactions to a traumatic death can be very different, more intense, and longer lasting than other types of death. The emotions following a traumatic death are often conflicting and intense. There is a tendency to relive the death event over and over in an attempt to make it real. Intrusive thoughts and nightmares are very common. Intense physical responses such as inability to eat or sleep, stomach aches and headaches, muscle tension, high blood pressure and a decrease in the autoimmune system are also common. Many times, the survivors must deal with intense feelings of guilt or remorse, feeling that they were somehow responsible or could have prevented the death “if only”. Family members have the need to tell the story of the death over and over again in an attempt to gain a sense of the reality of the death. They often have an overwhelming need to learn all they can about the circumstances of the death - how the person died, whether they were in pain, did they know they were dying, what were their last words, who saw what happened, and in cases of homicide, who committed the murder. All of these reactions are ways the survivors use to grasp the reality of the death and to begin the grief process.
As Bio Technicians, you are often called by family members or meet them upon arrival to the scene. Understanding some of the dynamics of trauma on the grief process may help as you help the family. Understanding the “normalcy” of the reactions you may see can help you feel more competent and assured to speak with family members without wondering whether or not you are saying the “right” thing. Some suggestions are listed below, but the most important thing is to convey sincerity and compassion to the family. They are very vulnerable and sensitive to words, expressions, and body language. Just make sure that what you say and do is congruent with how you feel or you will come across as insincere and uncaring.
Soon after a traumatic death, most survivors simply need to tell the story to anyone who will listen. It is important for their recovery to be able to do this. If you have time to listen, do so. They are not necessarily looking for any input from you; they just need someone to listen.
Remember that there are two basic rules for grieving people – you don’t hurt yourself or someone else. If, during the conversation, you hear comments that indicate the person is thinking of either, you might suggest they go talk to someone else before making a decision to do something like this. Create a list of counselors, therapists, or mental health centers to hand out at times like these. Take comments about thoughts of suicide seriously and offer to call a friend or family member to be with the person and get them help. Suicide rates often increase after a sudden, traumatic death of a loved one. These are very difficult situations for you as a caregiver, but you need to set limits as to what you can and cannot do. Listening and having resources available are all you need. The survivor needs to take some responsibility for them, and others who are better trained to handle these situations need to be contacted.
Although many reactions may look and feel “crazy”, most are normal reactions to the situation. Again, as long as they don’t hurt themselves or someone else, they are probably reacting normally to an abnormal situation. Helping normalize these reactions is very helpful to the survivor. Encouraging the survivor to talk and to express what they are experiencing is also helpful. Making a simple statement such as, “I think I’d feel the same way if this happened to me”, helps the survivor feel less out of control.
There are many support groups available to survivors that would make a good resource for them. Creating a list of those in your community or in nearby communities is a great gift for survivors. They may not want to attend a support group, but usually someone from the group is always willing to talk to them by telephone or offer assistance.
In the work you do, you may find yourself in situations of dealing with survivors who have needs you do not feel comfortable or competent in dealing with. That’s okay as it is not your responsibility to be all things to all people. However, there are these simple steps you can take to help your families in a meaningful way. You can listen. You can refer. You can offer resources. Having some general knowledge of the traumatic grief process may make you feel more competent in dealing with your families and knowing that you are being supportive and helpful in a meaningful way.
Below are some national organizations that offer support groups in almost every locality. They are specific to either the type of death or the relationship to the person who died and are more appropriate to traumatic deaths. They all have web sites or central telephone numbers that can be contacted for local information.
The Compassionate Friends – for parents’ whose child has died of any cause.
MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Drivers offer support for parents who a drunk driver killed child
Widowed Persons Service – sponsored by AARP for spousal death
SOS – Survivors of Suicide support groups
POMC – Parents of Murdered Children and other victims of homicide.
These and many other groups may be listed at your county’s Victim Assistance Office usually located in the office of the District Attorney. Also, check with your local hospices or hospitals. They offer support groups that are open to the public. Some local churches may also host support groups. As you create your list, don’t try to keep up with the dates and times of group meetings as they change frequently. All you need is the name of the group, a telephone number, and possibly a contact person. Leave it to the survivors to take the responsibility to make the calls on their own behalf.
Since the late 1980’s, we have seen an increase in interest and research on the effects of trauma on the grief process. We have learned that the grief process from the sudden, unexpected, and often violent deaths of suicide, homicide, auto accidents, natural disasters, and other types of deaths, is very different from the grief process of those who have died from natural causes, old age, or long-termed illness. Many, if not all, of the deaths faced by Bio Technicians fall into the category of traumatic. Those family members who hire you have usually been touched by the trauma of the death. Understanding the traumatic grief process and its differences from other types of grief may be of some help to you as you deal with these family members.
There are several key elements that make the responses by family members to a traumatic death difficult. First is the suddenness of the death. Family members usually did not have time to prepare themselves for the death and to make the psychological adjustments to cope with the news of the death. Also, the suddenness of the death does not give the family an opportunity to say goodbye to the victim before their death. Second, the violence of the death may leave the family with horrific memories and nightmares that often interfere with the grief process. Third, many of these types of deaths require police intervention and the family is often not given the support, information, and compassion they need at the time. Another element can be the presence of the media at the time of the death, as well as weeks and months later if legal issues follow the death. Most traumatic deaths involve young people who’s parents, grandparents, and siblings may still live. Certainly, the death of a child or young person is very difficult to cope with.
Reactions to a traumatic death can be very different, more intense, and longer lasting than other types of death. The emotions following a traumatic death are often conflicting and intense. There is a tendency to relive the death event over and over in an attempt to make it real. Intrusive thoughts and nightmares are very common. Intense physical responses such as inability to eat or sleep, stomach aches and headaches, muscle tension, high blood pressure and a decrease in the autoimmune system are also common. Many times, the survivors must deal with intense feelings of guilt or remorse, feeling that they were somehow responsible or could have prevented the death “if only”. Family members have the need to tell the story of the death over and over again in an attempt to gain a sense of the reality of the death. They often have an overwhelming need to learn all they can about the circumstances of the death - how the person died, whether they were in pain, did they know they were dying, what were their last words, who saw what happened, and in cases of homicide, who committed the murder. All of these reactions are ways the survivors use to grasp the reality of the death and to begin the grief process.
As Bio Technicians, you are often called by family members or meet them upon arrival to the scene. Understanding some of the dynamics of trauma on the grief process may help as you help the family. Understanding the “normalcy” of the reactions you may see can help you feel more competent and assured to speak with family members without wondering whether or not you are saying the “right” thing. Some suggestions are listed below, but the most important thing is to convey sincerity and compassion to the family. They are very vulnerable and sensitive to words, expressions, and body language. Just make sure that what you say and do is congruent with how you feel or you will come across as insincere and uncaring.
Soon after a traumatic death, most survivors simply need to tell the story to anyone who will listen. It is important for their recovery to be able to do this. If you have time to listen, do so. They are not necessarily looking for any input from you; they just need someone to listen.
Remember that there are two basic rules for grieving people – you don’t hurt yourself or someone else. If, during the conversation, you hear comments that indicate the person is thinking of either, you might suggest they go talk to someone else before making a decision to do something like this. Create a list of counselors, therapists, or mental health centers to hand out at times like these. Take comments about thoughts of suicide seriously and offer to call a friend or family member to be with the person and get them help. Suicide rates often increase after a sudden, traumatic death of a loved one. These are very difficult situations for you as a caregiver, but you need to set limits as to what you can and cannot do. Listening and having resources available are all you need. The survivor needs to take some responsibility for them, and others who are better trained to handle these situations need to be contacted.
Although many reactions may look and feel “crazy”, most are normal reactions to the situation. Again, as long as they don’t hurt themselves or someone else, they are probably reacting normally to an abnormal situation. Helping normalize these reactions is very helpful to the survivor. Encouraging the survivor to talk and to express what they are experiencing is also helpful. Making a simple statement such as, “I think I’d feel the same way if this happened to me”, helps the survivor feel less out of control.
There are many support groups available to survivors that would make a good resource for them. Creating a list of those in your community or in nearby communities is a great gift for survivors. They may not want to attend a support group, but usually someone from the group is always willing to talk to them by telephone or offer assistance.
In the work you do, you may find yourself in situations of dealing with survivors who have needs you do not feel comfortable or competent in dealing with. That’s okay as it is not your responsibility to be all things to all people. However, there are these simple steps you can take to help your families in a meaningful way. You can listen. You can refer. You can offer resources. Having some general knowledge of the traumatic grief process may make you feel more competent in dealing with your families and knowing that you are being supportive and helpful in a meaningful way.
Below are some national organizations that offer support groups in almost every locality. They are specific to either the type of death or the relationship to the person who died and are more appropriate to traumatic deaths. They all have web sites or central telephone numbers that can be contacted for local information.
The Compassionate Friends – for parents’ whose child has died of any cause.
MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Drivers offer support for parents who a drunk driver killed child
Widowed Persons Service – sponsored by AARP for spousal death
SOS – Survivors of Suicide support groups
POMC – Parents of Murdered Children and other victims of homicide.
These and many other groups may be listed at your county’s Victim Assistance Office usually located in the office of the District Attorney. Also, check with your local hospices or hospitals. They offer support groups that are open to the public. Some local churches may also host support groups. As you create your list, don’t try to keep up with the dates and times of group meetings as they change frequently. All you need is the name of the group, a telephone number, and possibly a contact person. Leave it to the survivors to take the responsibility to make the calls on their own behalf.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
RELEASE: Statement from Town and Gown Players
ATHENS (MyFOX ATLANTA) - The three people we lost yesterday were a part of the rich 50-year history of this theater and, more than that, were vital members of the Town and Gown family.
Ben Teague, loving husband of UGA's Dr. Fran Teague for more than 40 years, was not only a friend but also a father figure to all at the theater. One would be hard pressed to find a Town and Gowner who had not learned at least one life lesson from this wise and kind hearted man. His wife wishes to say, "Yesterday Ben was murdered, which is hard to comprehend and impossible to accept. It was a beautiful day, however, and he was in his favorite place with the people he loved." Ben was a translator of German, Russian and English.
Marie Bruce was the binding force that held the Town and Gown community together. Having worked with Town and Gown for over 20 years, at one time or another she served in every capacity at the theater, artistically and administratively, from leading lady to president of the board to chief cook and bottle washer. A local attorney, Marie was the mother of two young children.
A gentle presence, Tom Tanner breathed life into every corner of Town and Gown through his quiet diligence and astounding creativity - most would call him genius. Father of an equally amazing daughter, Tom would tell you that while he enjoyed his work as director of the Regional Dynamics Economic Modeling Laboratory at Clemson University, his heart lived and thrived in the theater.
Ben, Marie and Tom were a part of our family, and as painful as their loss is for us, we know it is even more painful for their families. We want to extend our deepest sympathy to their immediate family and close friends outside the theater community. There are no words we can use to adequately express our grief.
We would like to thank the Athens Police department and the media for their respectful treatment of this tragedy. We want to thank the American Bio Recovery Association and A1 BIO-Clean Service for the generous donation of their services in our time of need. We also want to thank the Athens Community for their support. This tragedy effects everyone in the community in some way, and we know you share in our loss. We ask that the media continue to be respectful of our privacy during this difficult time.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Cleanup completed at Civic Association
April 5, 2009
Cleanup has been completed at the American Civic Association building in Binghamton, where a gunman killed 13 people and injured four before taking his own life Friday.
The American Bio-Recovery Association, a non-profit international association of crime and trauma scene professionals, said Sunday that the bio-recovery cleaning was complete. The Ipswich, Mass.-based group provided the service at no cost.
Two member companies, Disaster Clean Up of Endwell and the Bio-Recovery Corporation of New York City, donated labor and supplies to remediate the scene with a crew of six technicians.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
The Top 13 Worst Jobs with the Best Pay
These are dirty jobs and somebody has to do them. At least they get paid well for their efforts
Think you have a lousy job? You're not alone. So do about half of your fellow workers—and about a quarter of them are only showing up to collect a paycheck, according to a survey conducted by London-based market information company TNS. Grumbling over the size of that check is common, too. About two-thirds of workers believe they don't get paid enough, says TNS—even though many of them may actually be overpaid, compared to average compensation data
Crime-Scene Cleaner
Average pay: $50,400
If crime-scene cleanup was just wiping blood off the floors—well, that would be easy. But CSI fans with get-rich-quick dreams should note the job involves more than handiness with a mop and a tolerance for the smell of decomposing flesh. Getting rid of bodily fluids typically calls for more rough-and-ready methods, such as ripping up carpet, tile, and baseboards. It also sometimes means working in confined spaces (if someone was electrocuted in an attic, for example). And when tearing up old houses, workers face exposure to hazards such as lead paint and asbestos—not to mention the combustible chemicals involved in drug-lab abatement.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Crime Scene Cleanup: What It Involves
The Restoration Resource
A crime scene cleanup service is not without its complications. Crime scene cleaning encompasses restoring the crime scene to its original state. When a crime is usually discovered, crime scene cleaners are not called until after officers of the law, like the crime scene investigators, have done their jobs first and have given the go ahead for the cleaners to come in. If you intend to hire a crime scene cleanup company, you must make sure that they are well equipped and fit right to get the job done. A crime scene presents challenging conditions.
The Use Of Protective Gears:
Crime scenes can very well involve the use of hazardous or deadly substances. For safety reasons then, it has become imperative that crime scene cleaners use protective clothing, in addition to protective tools and gadgets. You must see to it that they have all the necessary protective gears and gadgets. The protective clothing can consist of disposable gloves and suits. A disposable gear is preferred nowadays since it offers the best protection against contamination. You use it one time and get rid of it. That way, the dangers of contamination is virtually brought down to zero percent. Protective clothing extends to respirators and the use of heavy-duty industrial or chemical-spill protective boots.
Among the gadgets that a crime scene cleaning company must have are special brushes, special sprayers, and wet vacuum. These special tools ensure added protection against getting into contact with the hazard could very well be present in the crime scene. There is large, special equipment such as a mounted steam injection tool that is designed to sanitize dried up biohazard materials such as scattered flesh and brain. You would also need to check if they have the specialized tank for chemical treatments and industrial strength waste containers to collect biohazard waste.
Of course, any crime scene clean up must have the usual cleaning supplies common to all cleaning service companies. There are the buckets, mops, brushes and spray bottles. For cleaning products, you should check if they use industrial cleaning products. A crime scene cleaning company must have these on their lists:
1 - Disinfectants including hydrogen peroxide and bleaches - The kinds that the hospitals used are commonly acceptable.
2 - Enzyme solvers for cleaning blood stains. It also kills viruses and bacteria.
3 - Odor removers such as foggers, ozone machines, and deodorizers
4 - Handy tools for breaking and extending such as saws, sledgehammers, and ladders
Established crime scene operators also equip themselves with cameras and take pictures of the crime scene before commencing work which. The pictures taken may prove useful for legal matters and insurance purposes. You never know which.
Needless to say, a specially fitted form of transportation and proper waste disposal is also needed. These requirements are specific. As you can imagine, crime scene cleaning is in a different category on its own. A home cleaning or janitorial service company may not be able to cope up with the demands of a crime scene. A crime scene cleanup service requires many special gears and tools that a home cleaning or a janitorial service company does not usually have or does not require. Crime scene cleaning if not done correctly can expose the public to untold hazards.
What Else To Look For In A Crime Scene Cleanup Company
You may also want to hire a company that has established itself. An experienced company with a strong reputation is always a plus but it could be expensive too. You will do well to balance your needs with what is your budget. There are several companies that offer specific prices such as for death scene clean up categories and suicide clean up categories. Most companies own a website and have round the clock customer service as receptionists.
When looking for a suitable crime scene cleaning service, among the first things you need to do is to scout for price quotes. Crime scene cleanup services usually provide quote after they have examined the crime scene and then they give you a definite quote. Factors that are usually considered include the number of personnel that will be needed to get the job done. It also includes the amount of time that might be needed. The nature and amount of the waste materials that need to be disposed will also be factored in. You can be sure that the more sophisticated equipments needed the more expensive it will get.
Crime Scene Cleanup And Your Insurance
For homeowners, the best approach is always to make sure that crime scene cleanup services clauses and provisions are written down on the contracts or policies. The inclusion of crime cleanup services clauses is very common and has become standard clause in most homeowner’s policy. Make sure that you are covered for this unforeseen event. Make sure that your policy directs the crime scene cleaning company to transact directly with the homeowner insurance company. A crime scene cleaning service is usually a standard clause in many homeowners’ insurance clause. These companies often do the paperwork in behalf of clients.
If for some reason you do not have such coverage by any policies relating to crime scene cleanup on your home, there are ways to keep your expenses controlled.
Finding the right company can be very taxing, especially that you have to deal with the emotional stress stemming from the crime itself, especially with a crime scene involving death.
There are many crime scene cleanup companies in operation nowadays. There are reliable professionals that you can hire and prices are relatively competitive. As of recently, crime-scene cleanup services can cost up to $600 for an hour of their service. A homicide case alone involving a single room and a huge amount of blood can cost about $1,000 to $3,000.
In recent years, crime scene cleaning has come to be known as, "Crime and Trauma Scene Decontamination or CTS. Basically, CTS is a special form of crime scene cleaning focusing on decontamination of the crime scene from hazardous substances such as those resulting from violent crimes or those involving chemical contaminations such as methamphetamine labs or anthrax production. This type of service is particularly common when violent crimes are committed in a home. It is rare that the residents move out of the home after it has become a scene of a crime. Most often, the residents just opt to have it cleaned up. That is why, it is very important to hire the best crime scene cleaning company out there. The place needs to be totally free from contamination of any kind. You have to make sure that the company is able to remove all traces of the violent crime that took place. This includes cleaning biohazards that are sometimes invisible to the untrained eye.
Legally speaking, federal laws state that all bodily fluids are deemed biohazards and you should make sure that the cleanup service company you hire understands this and includes it in the cleanup. These things appear as blood or tissue splattered on a crime scene. You must be able to hire a company that is equipped with special knowledge to safely handle biohazard materials. The company must have the knowledge what to search for in any give biohazard crime scene. For instance, the company should be able to tell clues such that if there is a bloodstain the size of a thumbnail on a carpet, you can bet that there is about a huge bloodstain underneath. Federal and State laws have their own laws in terms of transport and disposal of biohazard waste. Make sure that the company you hire has all the permits necessary.
It will also be a huge plus if you could hire people who not only has the special trainings but also who have the nature to be sympathetic. If you are close to the victim and have the cleaning done at the behest of the victim’s relatives, it would matter that the cleaners tread the site with some level of respect. It is a common site that family members and loved ones are often there at scene. In general, when looking for a suitable crime scene cleaners, you would take into considerations the kind of situation that the crimes scene presents and the demands that it require. Crime scene cleaning companies handle a wide variety of crime scenes and prices may vary from one to the other crime scene and one to the other company.
Each type of scene requires its own particular demands not only to make the crime scene look clean and neat on the surface but to make it germ free, and clean inside and to make it free from all deadly and infectious substances. The cleanup cost for biohazards may vary depending on degree of the bio hazard(s) on the scene. There may even be a category that changes the cleanup pricing which usually involves decomposing bodies and carcasses. Likewise, a cleanup of chemical hazards vary, depending on the amount of chemical hazards as well as the grades i.e. how hazardous the substance is in terms of human contact. Prices are also determined by the number of hours and personnel that it would to get the crime scene cleaned. In addition, the "gross factor" from crime scene involving death and gore needs to be taken under consideration regarding the chemicals that will be used as opposed to those crimes' that do not have gore involved.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Risks of Using In-house Employees for Environmental Cleanups
By Gerard M. Giordano, Esq.
In an attempt to save money, property owners may be tempted to use their own Employees to clean up contamination at their facilities in order to comply with state or federal environmental laws. However, there may not be any real savings because when property owners (as employers)do commit to such a venture,they must comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA)regulations that may be applicable. These are designed to protect employees from occupational injuries and illnesses,and failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines that may offset any savings.
A property owner who orders his employees to clean up or work with hazardous substances must comply with a number of precautionary regulations. The most comprehensive is 29 CFR 1910.120, which deals with hazardous waste operations and emergency response. An employer is required to develop and put into writing a safety and health program for any employees engaged in hazardous waste cleanup operations.
The elements of an effective program include requiring an employer to identify and evaluate specific hazards and to determine the appropriate safety and health control procedures to protect employees before any work is initiated. Likewise, protective equipment must be utilized by employees during the initial site entry and, if required,during subsequent work at the site. The employer must also periodically monitor employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances in excess of OSHA ’s regulations.
Once the presence and concentration of specific hazardous substances and health hazards have been established, employees involved in the cleanup operations must be informed of any risks associated with their work. Under certain ircumstances,regular ongoing medical surveillance of employees by a licensed physician, and without cost to the employees or lost pay, may be required.
Numerous other safeguards are also required by OSHA. For example, OSHA’s hazardous communications program, 29 CFR 1910.120, requires an employer to establish and implement a hazard communication program if, during the course of the cleanup, employees may be exposed to hazardous chemicals.
The requirements are essentially the same as those in workplaces where employees are routinely exposed to hazardous chemicals. The program must include container labeling, production of material safety data sheets and employee training. The employer must also provide a full description of the OSHA compliance program to employees, contractors and subcontractors involved with the cleanup operations as well as OSHA,and to any other federal,state or local agency with regulatory authority over the cleanup.
Regulation 29 CFR 1910.120 also requires an employer that retains the services of a contractor or subcontractor to inform them of any identified potential hazards of the cleanup operations. Generally, it is the involvement of employees that triggers an employer’s obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. If contractors were retained, it would be the contractors’ responsibility to comply with these OSHA requirements on behalf of their employees, assuming that the employer
retaining the contractor has neither employees involved in the cleanup nor employees potentially exposed to health hazards arising from the cleanup.
In addition to the contractor’s required compliance with OSHA regulations, it is imperative that a property owner include in any agreement with the contractor that the contractor must comply with all pertinent OSHA regulations. If possible,the agreement should also provide for indemnifications from the contractor to the property owner for claims arising from the cleanup. These indemnifications will be important if the employees of the contractor are injured or subsequently become ill because of such work. The indemnifications should survive the completion of the work. These precautions will help insulate the property owner from both governmental actions and potential third-party claims.
Failure to comply with OSHA regulations on the part of the property owner who uses his own employees to perform a cleanup or work with hazardous substances may result in substantial penalties. Under OSHA, fines can be levied for each violation found by an inspector. These violations can result in non-serious, serious or willful violations with penalties as high as $70,000 for each violation. If a subsequent inspection is performed and violations are found which have not been corrected from an original inspection,daily penalties could be levied resulting in substantial fines.
Compliance with OSHA regulations should be a factor when a property owner decides to use in-house employees for cleanups. In the long run, there may not be any savings to the employer. Furthermore, because of the employer’s lack of familiarity with the OSHA regulations governing the cleanup of hazardous sites,the employer could be subject to fines as a result of its failure to comply with the OSHA regulations.
Therefore, it may be prudent in the long run to retain a company whose business is devoted to doing only cleanups. This company will have the expertise and continuing obligations to protect its employees.
Gerard Giordano is special counsel at the law firm of Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard, P.A., based in Hackensack, NJ. He is a member of the firm’s Environmental Department, and his practice focuses particularly on OSHA matters. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Giordano worked at the U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as an industrial hygiene compliance officer.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sunshine Cleaners (Opens March 13th 2009)
Sunshine Cleaning is a comedy-drama starring Amy Adams and Emily Blunt.
Sunshine Cleaning follows an average family that finds the path to its dreams in an unlikely setting. A single mom and her slacker sister find an unexpected way to turn their lives around - once the high school cheerleading captain who dated the quarterback, Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) now finds herself a thirty something single mother working as a maid. Her sister Norah (Emily Blunt) is still living at home with their dad Joe (Alan Arkin), a salesman with a lifelong history of ill-fated get rich quick schemes. Desperate to get her son into a better school, Rose persuades Norah to go into the crime scene clean-up business with her to make some quick cash. In no time, the girls are up to their elbows in murders, suicides and other…specialized situations. As they climb the ranks in a very dirty job, the sisters find a true respect for one another and the closeness they have always craved finally blossoms. By building their own improbable business, Rose and Norah open the door to the joys and challenges of being there for one another—no matter what—while creating a brighter future for the entire Lorkowski family.
Here’s the Sunshine Cleaning Trailer, hit HQ in the menu bottom right for improved quality. The movie is due out March 13, 2009.
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