The Term Bio Hazard and PPE

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

An example of someone in types of PPE

Long before the Covid-19, SERVPRO has been responding to disinfecting and cleaning services related to viral pathogens that falls under what we classify as Bio Hazard. When you hear that term, you think of the men in head-to-toe protective suits, like you have seen in the movies.  The scene has them facing some nuclear reactive situations, harmful chemicals, highly contagious virus’s and in some scenarios, they don’t know what they are facing so they suit up as a precaution. This term is used when there is a hazard to humans or the environment. Another term you are hearing related to Corona virus or bio hazard is PPE, Personal Protective Equipment, which consist of face shields, gloves, goggles and glasses, gowns, head covers, masks, respirators, and shoe covers. When the team at SERVPRO responds to a bio hazard call, we too are in protective gear appropriate for the type of hazard present.  Full PPE gear is necessary when performing mold remediation, working with insulation, going into crawl spaces, bodily fluid clean up, disinfection, and our most popular call for sewage clean up!  Simple at home activities may also require some type of PPE.  Gloves are most common for cleaning and a respirator or face mask for those Do-It-Yourself projects. PPE is more available and has now become a part of our everyday life due to the corona virus.  We are wearing face masks to protect ourselves and others form contracting or passing the virus. The term “Stop the Spread” explains it well.