Our team have a diverse range of educational pathways that brought them to this role and contribute to the way the operate in our business. Our Directors have undertaken a great range of courses from Methamphetamine Residue Decontamination training in the United States, locally based restoration training and online refresher courses. Our technicians undertake ongoing training in addition to onsite training and our administration manager has a psychology degree which is useful in her role as the first contact for our clients, supporting technicians with debriefing and managing confronting jobs as well as tailoring our service to best meet the needs of our clients, specifically our hoarding support program. We always recommend looking into IICRC Accredited courses as a first port of call when looking at becoming a trained Bio recovery technician.

Trauma Cleaning is a highly specialised and technical remediation service required for a number of distressing or hazardous situations after a traumatic incident or crime has occurred.

A Trauma Cleanup is a type of forensic cleaning work that requires much more than just eliminating smells and the appearance of stains. Trauma Cleaners aren’t your typical cleaners and are backed up with a wealth of training and onsite experience in biological remediation and handling hazardous materials as well as being able to alleviate some of the stress experienced by the families or people involved.

What is a Professional Trauma Cleaner

A Trauma Cleaner is a professional working in a highly specialised and technical field of removing, cleaning, decontaminating and sanitising biohazardous material and mitigating further loss and contamination caused by pathogens, bacteria, chemicals and contaminants present at a trauma scene.

Trauma Cleaning technicians undergo in-depth training, continuous on-the-job learning and have a highly developed understanding of biological remediation, blood borne pathogens, chemical elements, infection control and hazardous materials which ensures properties they deal with are remediated to a safe and habitable level.

Aside from the technical aspect of the trauma cleaner job, a professional trauma cleaner is also compassionate and is equipped with the skills and experience to deal with extremely tense situations and can put families, witnesses and anyone involved in a trauma situation at ease.

Requirements To Be a Trauma Cleaner

It takes a special kind of person to work in the field of trauma cleaning. You need a strong stomach and nerves of steel, because your job often involves cleaning up human remains left behind by coroners, chemicals, or potentially harmful viruses or bacteria as well as remaining calm and composed in extremely tense situations.

Some prerequisites to become a professional trauma cleaner include:

• Being Physically Fit: Working as a Trauma Cleaner and doing jobs such as crime scene cleaning requires a high level of fitness, as you will very often work in full body hazmat suits with boots, gloves and full face respiratiors for long tedious hours in an extremely hot environment. Respirators make it also difficult to breathe and place extra pressure on your body, which makes a physical fitness paramount

• Qualifications: Training certificates such as the IICRC, degrees and previous experience biohazard, crime scene cleaning, medical profession or law enforcement is highly regarded. Biohazards can include blood, drugs or chemicals and experience handling these is crucial to perform sensitive work

• Police Check: Due to the nature of crime scene cleaning and our connection with police departments, ambulance service and other agencies we require an up to date police check to be submitted with your application. As you might be working in sensitive environments, it is imperative that a trauma or crime scene cleaner can prove they are a honest, compassionate and responsible citizen before applying for a position.. Candidates have to be audited by the police before working on the field

• Team Player: Excellent communication skills and teamwork is required as you will be working as part of a team of professionals

• Compassionate and Professional Approach: You understand that our clients have just undergone or are going through an emotionally draining and tough time in their lives, so having a compassionate, discrete and emotional understanding approach is essential in this line of work

Do You Have What It Takes To Be a Trauma Cleaner?

If you are interested in becoming a trauma cleaner or crime scene cleaner and you think you have the right qualifications, skills and experience, you can apply to Melbourne Forensic Cleaning. Please provide a cover letter, resume and police check along with your application. Melbourne Forensic Cleaning only hires compassionate and serious individuals and have a reach that extends nationwide. Our team is also present in Victoria – VIC, New South Wales – NSW, Queensland – QLD, South Australia – SA, Western Australia – WA, Northern Territory – NT, Australian Capital Territory – Canberra and Tasmania – TAS. We are available 24/7 for emergency relief service on 1300 246 429.

Important Note: All applications must be submitted via email and meet the criterias described above – Over the phone inquiries and applications will not be considered. Only serious applications will be processed.

When Do You Need Professional Trauma Cleaning Services?

When encountering a scene involving death or serious injury, it is possible to become overwhelmed and it is more than necessary to take the precautions for your safety. Death scenes, crime scenes and major accidents often contain blood or other bodily fluids that can spread diseases and infections.

All blood stains, even small ones because the risk of infection can spread beyond the stain itself. What appears as a small spill of blood on the floor can hide a widespread contamination below the carpet and the floor, from a large distance from the source. These elements can carry harmful pathogens and diseases and must be remediated by professionals as a priority.

Blood and other bodily fluids can become absorbed into your furnishings, flooring, and other building materials and it requires a professional trained in biohazard cleanup services such as a trauma and crime scene cleaner to effectively and safely clean up the blood. Depending on the severity of the situation, the cleanup process may require carpeting, sub-flooring, and furniture to be removed and properly dispose.

A Trauma Cleaner (or also called Crime Scene Cleaner) can be called to handle various hazardous situations, as listed below (including but not limited to)

Crime Scene Cleaning

Crime scene cleaners are tasked with mitigating loss and potential for additional contamination caused by bacteria, pathogens, contaminants and chemicals present at the property or affected area. Trauma cleaners can be tasked to handle:

• Blood cleanups
• Blood stain removal
• Fingerprint dust removal
• House Cleaning After Death
• Bodily fluids cleanup
• Post Death Cleaning
• Crime Scene Decontamination
• Murder Scene Cleanups
• Homicide Cleanups

Forensic Cleaning

Similar as Trauma Cleaning, Forensic Cleaning also involves cleaning, decontaminating, removing dangerous materials, sanitising and completely remediating areas affected with a violent crime, blood and trauma, drug labs or any situation that require specialist and certified remediation professionals to ensure areas are biohazard-free.

During the Forensic Clean Up process, fabrics, carpets and structural materials such as floor boards and wall linings may need to be removed and disposed of correctly.

• Death Cleaning
• Toxin Cleaning
• Commercial Cleaning after death
• Specialist cleaning
• Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration
• Soot Cleaning
• Biohazard Cleaning
• Biohazard Decontamination and removal

Biohazard Cleaning & Remediation

Trauma Cleaners are tasked to remove and remediate any trace of biohazard material left at the crime or accident scene, which include blood, other bodily fluids, dead animal remnants, dangerous chemicals that make up certain drugs or even faeces and mould.

Deceased Estate Cleanups

The loss of a family member can be a traumatic moment in anyone’s life and it is even harder to think of clearing out a house of a deceased person. Our trauma cleaners must also be able to handle the compassionate and prompt deceased estate cleanup and also to assist in clearing out a deceased estate filled with piles of rubbish.

Deceased estate furniture removal and cleaning can be taken care of by our team of compassionate and dedicated trauma cleaners so you won’t have to do the heavy and hazardous work of removing furniture, clothing, mattresses and rubbish from a deceased estate property.

Meth Lab Remediation

Trauma Cleaners can be called to handle the decontamination and cleaning of clandestine drug labs that proliferate across Australia, including Meth labs or meth houses. A Meth lab cleanup process can involve a number of stringent and pivotal steps to ensure a property is cleaned to a non-hazardous, habitable state.

You will be doing:

• Meth Testing
• Test houses for meth residue
• Meth lab cleanup
• Meth detection or meth check methods
• Meth decontamination
• Carry property drug testing in Melbourne or across Australia

The post How To Become A Professional Trauma Cleaner In Australia appeared first on Suicide Cleanup.

There is no ‘right way’ to process this tragedy.

It’s common to feel overwhelmed when faced with the aftermath of suicide. However, there are people who can help, whatever form it takes.

Immediate Help

If someone has died in the home because of suicide, you should call 000 and ask for an ambulance.

Try to stay calm and explain to the operators exactly what you have discovered.

Take note of the time and the surroundings. Operators will often ask questions such as how long was the deceased person alone before death or what were they doing before you found them.

If there is an immediate hazard in the home, such as gas leaking, it’s important that you move to a safe place.

In cases of unexpected death, police will often be called to clarify exactly what happened. In some cases, the Coroner may be involved to determine the cause of death.

If there is a second person in the house it may be best to have them stand on the street to flag down the ambulance when they arrive.

If the police are called, it’s important that you leave the deceased person’s body as you found them.

To help you process the immediate aftermath it’s often a good idea to call a friend or relative who can provide emotional support and help answer questions asked by health workers or the police.

Speaking to Someone

The sudden and often unexpected nature of suicide can be very hard to psychologically process. For many people, speaking to a mental health professional can help.

Lifeline Australia has a crisis support line that can help you deal with this awful situation and take steps for further support if needed. They can be contacted on 13 11 14.

They also have information on bereavement support following suicide.

It’s important that you feel free to talk about your reactions to suicide openly and honestly and to find support to make sense of what has happened.

Grief following suicide can stir up a variety of complicated feelings including guilt, shame, anger, regret and blame. It’s important that you allow yourself time to process these emotions and seek support.

Support can come in many forms whether that is a friend, family member or from a professional.

According to mental health experts, a therapist can assist with:

• Helping you make sense of the death and better understand any psychiatric problems the deceased may have had.
• Treating you, if you’re experiencing post-traumatic stress as a result of the tragedy.
• Exploring unfinished issues in your relationship with the deceased
• Aiding you in coping with divergent reactions among family members
• Offering support and understanding as you go through your unique grieving process.

Clean Up Following Suicide

Cleaning up following a suicide can be a particularly distressing situation for friends and family members.

As long as there is no immediate danger to others, clean up does not need to be done immediately. If there is an immediate danger, you should call 000.

Clean up in the aftermath of suicide requires the removal, cleaning, deodorising and disinfection of a number of biohazards including blood and bodily fluids.

If the deceased person has not been found after some time, this could require extensive remediation and restoration of an area.

Cleaning up biological material in the aftermath of suicide not only raises some health risks in the form of bloodborne pathogens, but a serious risk of psychological harm to friends and family members.

You shouldn’t feel obligated to clean up the aftermath of suicide, particularly if this process is potentially harmful to your mental health.

Forensic Cleaning Australia are specialists in biological cleaning, who can assist in discreetly and respectfully cleaning the aftermath of suicide.

By hiring a third party, you can ensure that the scene is cleaned thoroughly by professionals.

Furthermore, our death cleaning services ensure that friend and family members do not have to go through the emotional pain of dealing with blood and bodily fluids of loved ones.

If you are in need of our specialist services, please get in touch.

Look After Yourself

It’s important to take care of yourself during this overwhelming and upsetting time. Surround yourself with nurturing people, and take time for yourself when you need it.

Try to eat well, sleep regularly, and keep active to maintain your overall wellbeing.

Sometimes after a loved one dies of suicide, people start having thoughts of suicide.

If this is happening to you or a loved one call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

The post The Aftermath of Suicide: Where To Get Help appeared first on Suicide Cleanup.

Working hours

Due to the nature of the job, Crime Scene Cleaners don’t work the regular 9 to 5 job. They have to be on call weekends, weeknights and public holidays. Situations that require Crime Scene Cleaning can arise anytime and inconsistently. For employers, it is not efficient and cost-effective to employ technicians on regular hours like average desk jobs. You need to be on-call at any given moment, and can’t be out of town, intoxicated or unavailable for any reason.

Biohazard and Waste Clean-up

One of main activities of a Crime Scene Cleaner is the cleaning of human waste. You will be required to clean blood off walls and objects, removing entire carpets from the floor, carpeting and disposing of furniture. It can also include the removal of loose human remains the coroner has left behind. You must wear specialised protective gear regardless of the environment or temperature. Full body suits, long shirts and pants, latex gloves and full-face respirators are common practice, even in hot summer months in Australia. As a consequence, this can lead to exhaustion and heat stroke. For these reasons, Crime Scene Cleaners must be physically and mentally fit.

Hazardous Chemicals

A common clean-up scenario is the cleaning of Meth Labs in which meth dealers and producers have been apprehended. What’s left at the scene are potentially toxic chemicals left at the scene, in the air and on surfaces, which require proper disposal. Training for Crime Scene Cleaners typically covers the personal protective equipment (PPE) you need to wear, how to handle hazardous chemicals, disposal methods and accounting for inventory. All substances found at a scene have to be considered hazardous, because they could be mislabelled by the occupants to conceal it from authorities.

Infectious Agents and Infectious Diseases

One of the most dangerous situations for a Crime Scene Cleaning Expert is to be called to clean a potentially infectious substance site. When dealing with infectious agents such as diseases transmitted with viruses and bacteria by simple contact, you must wear heavy protective gear, such as a Hazmat suit, double-filter respirators and chemical-spill boots.  Your training covers respiratory protection, official communication channels, awareness of your personal space and labelling procedures. It is imperative that you follow every procedure thoroughly, or you risk infecting yourself and others.

The post Do you have what it takes to work as a crime scene cleaner / suicide cleaner? appeared first on Suicide Cleanup.