What to Expect When Starting a Crime Scene Cleanup Business
Crime-scene cleanup professionals are tasked with the critical job of thoroughly sanitizing and cleaning up biohazardous medical waste from all types of violent and natural deaths. In the course of their work, these professionals often encounter blood, bodily fluids, body parts, organs, and potentially hazardous chemicals and materials, such as anthrax.
The crime-scene cleanup business is still in its infancy, but it’s growing rapidly as the need for specialized cleaning services continues to rise.
Starting a crime-scene cleanup business involves navigating a range of regulations that vary by state. The most stringent laws typically pertain to the handling, transport, and disposal of medical waste. For this reason, it’s recommended that new businesses partner with an experienced medical waste disposal service provider to ensure compliance and handle crime-scene cleanup jobs from start to finish.
If you’re interested in launching a crime-scene cleanup business, here are a few crucial steps and best practices to help you get started.
Consult Local Authorities
Although most states do not require a specific permit to start a crime-scene cleanup business, it’s wise to consult your local regulatory offices to understand any specific requirements. Many states focus on the transport of biohazardous materials, with laws enforced by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the United States Postal Service (USPS) regarding the safe containment and transport of hazardous and potentially infectious materials.
Given these regulations, smaller crime-scene cleanup businesses often partner with larger medical waste disposal services that have the necessary equipment and expertise to legally package and transport contaminated waste.
Obtain the Necessary Business Licenses
Most crime-scene cleanup businesses are categorized under janitorial companies. Contact your county clerk’s office to obtain the necessary licensing information for your new business. If you plan on hiring employees, you will also need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.
Invest in Proper Training
While formal schooling and certifications are not required for most crime-scene cleanup businesses, they are highly recommended. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers comprehensive biohazard training programs that provide essential knowledge for keeping crime scenes—and your employees—safe. Completing these courses may also reduce your business’s insurance costs.
Ensure Workplace Safety
In the crime-scene cleanup business, you’ll be handling biohazardous, hazardous, and potentially infectious materials on every job. To ensure the safety of your employees and the integrity of your business, invest in proper safety equipment. This includes safety glasses, thick disposable gloves, heavy-duty vacuums, sanitizing sprays, trash bags, and medical waste containers.
Additionally, purchasing business insurance is crucial to protect your company from potential lawsuits and to cover basic theft or equipment damage.
Form a Partnership with a Medical Waste Disposal Service
While no formal education or certification is legally required to start a crime-scene cleanup business in most states (with exceptions like California and Florida), the disposal of hazardous or potentially infectious materials is heavily regulated. Local laws governing medical waste disposal are frequently updated, making it essential to stay informed.
To avoid steep fines for non-compliance, it’s wise to partner with a reputable medical waste service provider. This partnership ensures that your business adheres to all regulations related to the proper disposal and transport of hazardous waste, helping you operate smoothly and safely.
Need Quotes on Hazardous Waste Disposal Services Near You? Call Medical Waste Pros Today!
Starting a trauma scene cleanup business requires you to follow rules, guidelines, and take extreme safety precautions. Don’t waste time worrying about transporting and disposing of the waste you gather. Partner with a hazardous waste disposal company—they’ll take care of everything!
Hazardous waste disposal companies know the industry inside and out. They have the proper equipment and handle all compliance guidelines, so you can focus on cleanup. Call us at (888) 755-6370 or fill out the form on the right for free quotes on services near you today!
