Unattended death
Unattended death cleanup means cleaning a home after someone died and was not found right away. When someone is found after they have died, RCW 68.50.010 gives the county coroner or medical examiner jurisdiction over the body.
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OSHA said in a 2007 letter that its Bloodborne Pathogens standard is concerned with exposure to blood no matter how long the blood has been exposed to air. The same letter says there are studies stating that the hepatitis B virus is likely to survive on surfaces for longer than two weeks.
Suicide
Suicide cleanup means cleaning the place where someone died by suicide. Grief support: 9881 (call or text, free, any time).
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The 988 line offers live help in English and Spanish, and interpretation in more than 240 languages and dialects, the Department of Health1 says.
Crime or trauma scene
Crime or trauma scene cleanup means cleaning a home, business or other place after a violent crime, a serious accident or another traumatic event. An industry standard for this work, IICRC S540, sets out the procedures and precautions to follow. It assumes law enforcement or a regulatory agency has already released the scene.
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OSHA addressed in a 2020 letter how its Bloodborne Pathogens and HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) standards apply to crime and trauma scene cleanup in homes and businesses. Under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard, regulated waste includes liquid or semi-liquid blood, items that would release blood if squeezed, and items caked with dried blood that can release it when handled.
Blood and bodily fluids
Blood and bodily fluid cleanup means cleaning up blood or other body fluids after an injury, an illness or a death. Washington’s workplace rule on blood (WAC 296-823-0992) describes treating all human blood and certain body fluids, whoever they came from, as if they carry HIV, hepatitis B and other germs carried in blood.
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Professionals call this approach universal precautions. Under WAC 296-823-100, the rule applies to employers whose workers have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), even if no exposure incident has happened. WAC 296-823-0992 defines bloodborne pathogens as germs in human blood that can cause disease, such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Hoarding
Hoarding cleanup means clearing and cleaning a home where belongings have built up over time. The U.S. Fire Administration3 says belongings that fill a living space until it can no longer be used create fire risks for the people who live there and for firefighters. It advises keeping doorways and windows clear, for escape in a fire and to prevent injuries from falls.
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A 2012 National Institute of Mental Health science update describes hoarding disorder, then a proposed category in psychiatry’s diagnostic manual (DSM-5), as marked by avoiding decisions about possessions. The U.S. Fire Administration3 says blocked windows and doors make it hard for firefighters to get into a home to fight a fire and search for the people inside.
Sewage
Sewage cleanup means cleaning up after a toilet, drain or sewer line backs up into a home or building. Raw sewage carries bacteria, viruses, parasites and intestinal worms, the EPA4 says. Washington’s Department of Health says indoor sewage spills need thorough cleaning, started as soon as possible, to protect people, especially small children.
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The EPA4 says rugs, curtains, flooring, wallboard and upholstered furniture that come into contact with sewage usually must be replaced.
Infectious disease
Infectious disease cleaning means cleaning and disinfecting a home or workplace after an illness that can spread.
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The EPA defines cleaning as removing dirt and organic matter from surfaces with soap or detergents, and disinfecting as killing viruses and bacteria on surfaces with chemicals. It says to follow the label on EPA-registered disinfectants and to pay attention to the contact time, which is how long the surface must stay wet.
Rodent and animal waste
Rodent and animal waste cleanup means removing droppings, urine and nests left by mice, rats or other animals. Washington’s Department of Health5 says a person may be exposed to hantavirus by breathing contaminated dust after disturbing or cleaning rodent droppings or nests. The Department of Health’s rodent guidance says not to vacuum or sweep around rodent waste, and that homeowners should consider hiring a professional company for heavily contaminated areas.
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Because you cannot tell how old a dropping is, the Department of Health5 says to handle all rodent droppings as if they are infectious. For heavy infestations, the Department of Health’s rodent guidance says to wear respiratory protection, such as a half-mask respirator with a HEPA filter or a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR).
Drug residue
Drug residue is what is left on surfaces where people used illegal drugs. Washington’s Department of Health says testing and cleanup at illegal drug labs and drug storage sites are regulated under state law. See our guide to drug lab cleanup.
The details, if you want them
Under WAC 246-205-091, a contractor may do decontamination, demolition or disposal work at an illegal drug manufacturing or storage site only after getting a certificate from the state health department. The Department of Health says it has no policy on when to test for residue from drug use, and that your local health officer decides whether an area is considered contaminated.
Vehicle cleanup
Vehicle cleanup means cleaning blood or other biohazards inside a car, truck or boat. This can follow an accident, a crime or a death in the vehicle.