Bio-One of Marion County decontamination and biohazard cleaning services

Biohazard Examples in the Workplace: What You Need to Know

Biohazard Examples in the Workplace What You Need to Know

A biohazard, or biological hazard, is any biological substance that could pose a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily humans. This includes medical waste, microorganisms, viruses, and toxins that can affect human health. Biohazards can be found in various workplace settings, from the obvious, like hospitals and laboratories, to the less obvious, such as offices and construction sites, depending on the activities conducted.

But did you know that your home is also a potential source of biohazards? In this blog post, we'll discuss some common examples of biohazards in the workplace and how to protect yourself and others.

Common Biohazard Examples

  • Blood and Bodily Fluids: Bloodborne pathogens, including Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and others that are present in blood and other bodily fluids, can lead to serious illnesses. Workplaces like hospitals, dental offices, and even schools can encounter these biohazards.
  • Bacterial and Viral Infections: Laboratories and other facilities that handle and store bacterial cultures and viruses for research purposes must manage these biohazards with utmost care to prevent occupational exposure.
  • Medical Waste: Used needles, discarded surgical gloves, and other materials contaminated with potentially infectious agents are considered biohazardous.
  • Animal Waste: Veterinary clinics, farms, and research facilities dealing with animals may encounter biohazardous waste, including feces and urine, which can carry diseases harmful to humans.
biohazard specimen bag example

Biohazard Examples in The Home

While biohazard examples are commonly associated with the workplace, they can also be found in homes. Some common biohazard examples in the home include:

  • Mold and Mildew: Mold and mildew grow in damp environments and release spores that can cause respiratory issues and allergic reactions.
  • Pesticide: Chemicals used to control pests (insects and rodents) can be harmful if not used properly.
  • Household Cleaners: Cleaning products may contain chemicals that can be harmful to humans if ingested or inhaled.
  • Expired Medications: Expired medications can lose their effectiveness and become hazardous to human health if consumed.
  • Sewage Backup: Sewage backups can introduce harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites into the home.
  • Hoarding Situation: Homes with excessive clutter and debris can harbor biohazards like mold, bacteria, and pests.
  • Accidents: Accidents in the home, and spills of bodily fluids or chemicals, can also pose a biohazard risk.
potentially hazardous environment house example

Biohazard Safety Measures

To mitigate the risks associated with biohazards, it's imperative to implement stringent safety measures in both workplace and residential settings. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets forth guidelines and regulations designed to protect workers from the dangers of biohazard exposure. Adherence to these guidelines is crucial for maintaining a safe environment and minimizing the risk of biohazard-related illnesses and injuries:

  • Proper Training: Educating employees about the dangers of biohazards and training them on safe handling practices.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Providing and using appropriate PPE to minimize exposure risks.
  • Safe Disposal: Ensuring biohazardous waste is correctly disposed of using designated containers and methods.
  • Emergency Plan: Developing and enforcing an emergency plan for biohazard exposure incidents.
biohazard disposal protocol example doctor

How Bio-One of Marion County Can Help

Recognizing biohazard examples in the workplace, and in the house, and understanding how to manage them effectively are key components of maintaining a safe environment. Compliance with regulatory requirements and implementation of safety measures can significantly reduce the risks associated with biohazards.

If you find yourself facing a biohazard situation at your workplace or your home and feel unprepared to handle it, remember that professional help is available. Bio-One of Marion County specializes in biohazard cleanup services! Whether it's a workplace accident, sewage backup, or hoarding situation, our trained and certified technicians have the necessary knowledge and equipment to remove and dispose of any type of waste.


Bio-One specializes in blood and bodily fluids, decomposition/undiscovered death, crime scene, suicide cleanup, tear gas, feces/urine, sewage backups, and odor removal. Helping people get their lives back in order is our #1 priority. 

Bio-One of Marion County is here to help you 24/7, 365 days a year! Call (317) 499-0614, and you'll speak directly to one of us when you call; there is never an answering service.  We'll treat you like a person with the compassion and respect that you deserve.


Bio-One What to Ask Before Hiring a Crime Scene Cleaner

The roots of crime- and trauma-scene cleaning companies can be traced to the 1990s, and at that time only a dozen or so companies existed. The industry was widely unregulated and awareness of contamination risks were relatively non-existant.

"I was young and dumb and saw something you only see in movies, so I quickly shut the door, took a deep breath, sat on the couch with the widow and told everyone else to get her out of here and take her to lunch, and we’ll clean this up for her," said Nick-Anthony Zamucen, Founder of Bio-One Inc. "We were just trying to help a lady in her greatest time of need, and that’s for me how I got into the crime scene and cleaning business."  Read Nick's story in Franchise Times

Today, there are hundreds of companies that advertise crime and trauma scene cleaning, and a simple Google search may prove overwhelming when you're experiencing one of the most traumatic moments in your life. To help, we've listed pre-qualifying questions to ask before choosing a crime and trauma scene company. 

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Crime and Trauma Scene Cleaner

There are a number of key questions to ask crime and trauma scene cleaning technicians or business owners to properly root out which one is best for your goals and circumstances. 

  • Are you local? When there's a blood spill, response time is key to prevent biohazards from spreading and to ensure quick remediation. Several businesses may pay for online advertising in your city, but their technicians could be 3 or more hours away. Furthermore, avoid calling toll free numbers. "These numbers often lead to call centers. We're local. They're not," said Ginger Akemon, owner of Bio-One in Jacksonville, FL
  • Is your business certified and insured? Professional crime and trauma scene cleaning companies should have bloodborne pathogen certifications, they should follow OSHA personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines and remediation processes, and they should have insurance for their business. 
  • What is your process for disposing biohazardous waste? Once the remediation is complete, the accumulated waste will need to be disposed in accordance to local state guidelines. Make sure the business owner or technician is aware of these guidelines and has an appropriate plan for disposal.  
  • What happens to valuable or personal items that are impacted? At Bio-One, we are trained to be mindful of valuable and perceived valuable items, such as pictures, wallets, or a baseball card collection. Professional crime and trauma scene cleaners should ask if there are valuable items to keep an eye out for, and they will keep the family informed if these items are found. 
  • How will you charge for your services? In most cases, home insurance will cover the cost of biohazard remediation - less your deductible. Ask if they can open a claim on your behalf, taking this burden off your shoulders. If you don't have homeowners insurance, it's OK to ask for a free estimate so you can compare costs between other local companies. 
  • Will you be discrete during and after the job? Michele Amoranto, Bio-One owner in Oceanside, CA, always assures her clients that discretion is top of mind while her team is onsite. Bio-One vehicles are unmarked and technicians will designate work areas to don and doff PPE out of view from neighbors. 
  • Do you have a list of resources that can help after the cleanup? You may need flooring replaced or fresh drywall installed, which will also be covered under your home insurance claim, and a recommendation could help speed up the reconstruction process. Additionally, many crime and trauma scene cleaners have connections with local counselors and victim's advocates. In west Texas, Bio-One owner, Garrett Spooner, always offers a list of free mental health resources and states that, "Being volunteers of our local Crisis Intervention Unit, we consider our job incomplete without making sure our clients' mental health, grief process, and other issues our clients may have, are addressed."

Last but certainly most important, make sure the business you speak with shows care and compassion for your situation. They should want to do everything possible to support you and your loved ones.

If you are searching for a crime and trauma scene cleaner, Bio-One is here for you. All of our offices adhere to our business motto Help First, Business Second and are available 24/7. Click here to search for a Bio-One team near you.


Bio-One Cherokee County Spa Shooting Biohazard Remediation

Lives in the Atlanta area were forever altered on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 after a shooting spree at three metro Atlanta spas left eight people, including six Asian women, dead within the span of 45 minutes. 

Our hearts and sympathies are with everyone impacted by this tragedy. 

We sincerely hope businesses never experience these types of events, because that means it’s the worst day of their lives. However, Bio-One teams are ready 24/7 in the event biohazard remediation services are needed.

Two weeks after the tragic events in Atlanta took place, Bio-One answered the call to remediate the spa in Cherokee County. Led by Michele O'Brien and Rebecca Phillips, the Bio-One team provided a quick response and thorough decontamination.

“When we walked into the spa, it was like time stopped,” said Phillips. “Things were there just like a normal day and then chaos happened. It was a heavy feeling, and we appreciate the opportunity to help.”

Previously, Bio-One has been trusted to remediate several mass shooting tragedies including Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay, Pulse Nightclub, the San Bernardino schools and Sandy Hook.