JAIL/PRISON CELL CLEANUP

Incarceration cells or jails often conjure the image of a gloomy room with one-away entry and exit that is filled with dust, dirt and odour. One is led to believe that this is as cleanest it can get. On several occasions, a prison cell becomes the scene of various bio-hazardous wastes such as sweat, faeces, urine, vomit, bodily fluids, saliva or blood.

Cleaning the aforementioned scenario is a professional task as lay people are not readily willing to help in the cleanup process. Secondly, cleaning such bio-hazardous waste is a risky affair as it is a carrier of many pathogens which can cause diseases such as AIDS, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis C. Thirdly, prompt cleaning intervention is necessary, as officials working in the prison such as policemen and staff can get infected by the exposure to these pathogens.

A thorough bio-hazardous cleaning is a must due the following scenarios, as listed below:

• The prisoners can engage in a dirty protest – a situation where by they will involve in defecating or urinating in cell quarters or themselves, as a form of fighting back. Sometimes, they might do so as a symptom of a psychological problem. 
• The pathogens can lodge into cracks and crevices of the walls. 
• Communal areas are being used by many inmates and can be the site for bio-hazardous wastes. 
• Cleaning calls for professional intervention as health and safety regulations have to be adhered to. 
• The inmates can get into fights or brawls where there can be a lot of sweat and bloodshed. 
• Prison lockers need to be professionally cleaned, as pathogens can be left behind if the lockers were used to contain blood-covered objects/clues. If the lockers are used to store handcuffs that were used on suspects, then this also calls for intervention. 

Due to the confined nature of the prison cells, rapid contagion is highly probable. Hence, quick and professionally cleaning bio-hazardous wastes in prison is imperative. Contacting professional services can also guarantee operational efficiency and minimum time required to bounce back to routine activities.

Bio-Cleanse provides prison decontamination services.

Visit www.biocleanse.com.au/ for more information or call us at 042 741 1789.

OHIO Rule for Compulsive Hoarding

Of recent, hoarding behavior has come into public purview and is almost being reconsidered as a psychological condition on its own, rather than being grouped with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Hoarding is a condition when the patient is unable to discard items such as belongings, newspapers, journals and even trash leading to clutter. This leads to acquiring of seemingly useless items which are difficult to sort and organise. There are probabilities that a hoarder has undergone some trauma in his/her life or is suffering from social isolation. 

A lot of psychological and organisational programs are being targeted at hoarders relinquishing by their unusual behaviour. One approach which is usually considered is the OHIO approach: an abbreviation for “Only Handle It Once.” It goes by the philosophy that if one picks something; one must make the decision then and there, to either retain it or discard it, thus avoid piling it. This can rather be an influential approach as it influences the decision making process of a hoarder and eggs him/her to avoid piling up. 

However, the OHIO rule might not be feasible in all cases. In some cases, it might even have a backfiring effect: the hoarder might come to a halt in their decluttering efforts, deciding whether to really discard an item or not. Some items just cannot be discarded by a hoarder due to a psychological connection with it, such as an heirloom or gift.

In the above scenario, there are some alternatives which can be considered, rather than going OHIO. Compartmentalise the items which one is unsure of discarding in order to think of it at a later point of time. Create another section where one will be chucking the items but will be reconsidering them one last time before chucking. The third compartment should be stuff that you are sure of chucking (discard them, there and there). If you keep mobilising these items by compartmentalising them, one is likely to move along the discarding process rather than remain stagnant and cluttering all over again. Hence, mobilisation is the key.

- Bio Cleanse Pty Ltd.

Health Hazards of Meth Labs

Methamphetamine or Meth is a man-made drug that significantly affects the central nervous system. Health hazards resulting from meth labs can be a thief in the night as meth is often concocted or “cooked” in secret locations to avoid the long arm of the law. More often than not, these labs operate in rural areas, posing a severe risk to surrounding environment, as well as humans.

An operating meth lab can be highly flammable capable of generating harmful fumes and residue. A shut-down laboratory is also a potential store-house of health hazards as the property may remain contaminated with hazardous residues. 

The health hazards of a meth lab depend on the amount and length of the chemical used. It also depends on the medium of infection/exposure of these chemicals. The severity of the health hazards varies proportionally with the proximity of the chemicals. The more closer the exposure to these harmful substances, the severe the infection. 

Those who are directly involved in the concocting of these chemicals are most vulnerable. The cooker’s family and persons in direct contact are also at high risk. Such individuals are prone to lung infections, chemical burns and also death. It also causes shortness of breath, chest pain, irritation, disorientation, giddiness and coughing. Less severe symptoms include nausea, fatigue and headache. These less severe symptoms are likely to be felt by new occupants of a non-active meth lab site. If the chemical is present in the form of solvents, the effects can affect the central nervous system. 

If the exposure to meth labs is prolonged over a longer period of time, it can lead to severe cases such as cancer, brain damage, liver infection and kidney infection. Children can get affected easily as their brains and vital organs are in the developmental stage whereas in the case of a pregnant woman, it can lead to miscarriage. 

Residues are adept in finding their way into every nook and cranny of the property - be it carpet, walls, furniture or even the surrounding air. It also poses a risk for neighbouring inhabitants. Therefore, it is imperative that the new occupants of former lab meth labs get the site promptly cleaned-up. 

For prompt assistance, contact Bio Cleanse Pty Ltd, 

visit: http://bio-cleanse.com.au/ for more details.

Prevention of workplace accidents

Every year, workplaces or industrial accidents occur and are common, causing huge losses, not only for the worker but also for the company (in case of compensatory policies). Workers are not machines, but humans. Hence, it is the company’s responsibility to protect their employees from accidents that might impair their well-being. It must be noted that creating a safe work environment is only part of the responsibility. The other share should be borne by the employee themselves, taking an active role in maintaining safety.

Following are some suggestions to prevent workplace accidents:

• Always maintain a safety policy and enlist the procedures in the event of any accident that occurs. Also, include instructions as to how a work property should be handled with care and precaution. Make the employees go through it, thoroughly.

• Entertain the suggestions and opinions of employees as to how the status quo of work safety in that company can be bettered or modified.

• Accidents happen when the shortcut route is taken to get a task done. Ask the employees to work with diligence, stick to instructions and be aware of their surroundings.

• Ensure that your employees wear the right dress code depending on the job requirements and the weather. If the job involves wearing protective equipment, make sure that one wears it at all times. Adequate ventilation at workplace is a must.

• Keep first-aid kits handy. It will keep any injuries that occur from getting out of hand. Place in strategically accessible locations.

• Make sure that the workplace is ready in case of fire. Install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers placed strategically. Implement emergency exit points.

Some accidents are unavoidable and can cause great damage, leaving the place all shattered and in a miserable condition. In such cases, you will need a professional clean-up. 

Contact us: http://www.bio-cleanse.com.au/