The market is saturated with all kinds of protective clothing for decomposed body cleanup specialists and healthcare workers. Options available to choose from include coveralls, isolation gowns, and surgical gowns. Remember that for every task in the healthcare industry, there is a dedicated protective clothing. So before buying protective clothing, it is wise to research on the right type that is ideal for your line of work. A key step in this process is to understand the relevant standards and test methods.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Clothing Standards and Specifications
For expert cleaners who are specialists in decomposed body cleanup, opt for gowns and coveralls.
When it comes to choosing protective clothing for crime scene cleaners, one factor to consider include choosing protective clothing that is resistant to synthetic blood and other bodily fluids.
Another factor to consider is the size and shape of a virus found at crime scenes. The smaller the size of a virus, the easier it is to penetrate even the tiniest of pores. Depending on the size of the pores on the fabric, viruses and bacteria can penetrate. With this in mind, experts choose protective clothe without pores. This is because smaller particles and tiny viruses can pass through pores in the fabrics, putting the lives of crime scene cleaners in grave danger.
The amount of pressure applied during the course of work is yet another factor to consider. The force generated by an external pressure, such as from a pressing or leaning motion, is likely one of the major routes of blood penetration, especially in the chest and sleeves of protective clothing. These pressures arise when individuals wearing protective clothing lean or press on a surface that may be wet with blood or body fluids, such as in the case of a healthcare worker leaning against a patient’s bed or an emergency medical responder kneeling on a contaminated roadway. It is however important to know that the rate at which blood penetrates increases in the same proportion as the pressure exerted.
Which Areas of the Body Are At More Risks of Exposure
The body areas at risk of blood or bodily fluid penetration through the garment include
- Chest
- Abdomen
- Forearm
- Thigh
- Cuff
As a result, cleaners are more careful within these settings. More so, if a liquid is in prolonged contact with a fabric, it may begin to penetrate, decreasing the fabric’s resistance to penetration. This is otherwise known as prewetting,
Viruses can penetrate some fabrics. This is why decomposed body cleanup experts are peculiar with the kind of gown worn at the crime scene. Not just any kind of gown. These gowns undergo series of test to ascertain their level of protection.
Protective clothing just as the name suggests is designed to protect decomposed body cleaners from the risk of infection. Hence, cleaners are always mindful of the standard of clothing and materials selected for their cleaning task.
Want to clean up after a decomposed site yourself? Be sure to use standard personal protective equipment.
