A restoration professional holds a container with a biohazard label on it.

Just Had a Biohazard at Your Business? Here’s What to Do First

Date:
6 Aug, 2025
Category:
Biohazard Cleanup

Biohazard situations are scary, messy, and confusing. One minute, you’re going about your workday. The next, you’re dealing with a sewage backup, an unexpected trauma, or some unknown chemical spill. Whether it’s from an accident, illness, or something even more serious, biohazard events aren’t just gross, they’re dangerous. And for business owners in the San Francisco Bay Area, figuring out what to do first can feel overwhelming.

You might even be tempted to roll up your sleeves and handle it yourself.

DON’T.

When it comes to biohazard cleanup San Francisco Bay Area, safety has to come first, and that means calling in the pros. At West Coast Fire & Water, we’ve helped businesses all over the Bay Area handle situations just like this, and we’re here to help you, too.

So here’s your step-by-step checklist for what you should do. No fluff, no jargon. Just straight-up guidance on what to do when your business gets hit with a biohazard emergency.

✅ Step 1: Get People Out, Now

Your first move? Clear the area. Make sure your employees, customers, everyone, is out of the affected space.

Shut the doors.
Block off access.
Put up a sign if you need to.

Do not try to clean anything up yourself.

Biohazards aren’t just messy, they can cause serious legal and health dangers if cleaned incorrectly. Blood, bodily fluids, sewage, even strong chemicals, these aren’t things you want to mess with without serious training and protection.

If the space feels dangerous (smells strong, chemicals in the air, anything like that) don’t hang around. Just get out.

✅ Step 2: Call in the Experts

Now’s the time to bring in a certified cleanup crew. In the San Francisco Bay Area, West Coast Fire & Water is ready 24/7 to jump in and help. We’ve seen it all and handled everything from small shop spills to large-scale trauma scenes.

Why you should leave it to professionals:

We’re trained to handle hazardous stuff safely.
We follow all the state, local, and federal rules.
We’ve got the gear, the know-how, and the experience to clean it right the first time.

✅ Step 3: Lock It Down

While you wait for help to arrive, make sure no one wanders into the danger zone.

Tape off doors if you can.
Post “Do Not Enter” signs.
Let your team know to steer clear.

Also, if you rent your space, give your property manager or landlord a heads-up. They may have protocols in place or need to be involved.

And here’s a big one: take photos. From a safe distance, snap a few pics of the scene for your records. This can help later with insurance or if you need to explain what happened.

✅ Step 4: Call the Authorities (If You Need To)

Not every situation needs the police or health department, but some do. If this incident involved:

A crime scene or injury
Bodily fluids in a public space
Hazardous chemicals
Anything you’re unsure about

…it’s better to be safe and call. Law enforcement or public health officials can guide you on next steps, and if it’s a crime scene, don’t touch anything until they give the all-clear.

✅ Step 5: Talk to Your Insurance Company

Now’s a good time to dig out your insurance info and give your agent a call. A lot of commercial policies do cover biohazard cleanup, especially if it’s from vandalism, accidents, or plumbing issues.

Things they might ask for:

Incident report
Photos
Cleanup invoices
Proof that professionals were hired

Bottom line? Keep every receipt and document. You’ll thank yourself later.

✅ Step 6: Let the Pros Handle the Dirty Work

Once you’ve called in a team like West Coast Fire & Water, your job gets easier. We’ll show up fast, walk you through the process, and get to work safely.

Here’s what we take care of:

Removing hazardous materials
Disinfecting the area with serious-grade cleaners
Getting rid of odors (yep, even the horrible ones)
Making the space safe again so you can reopen with peace of mind

We’ve helped businesses across the San Francisco Bay Area get back on their feet after tough situations, and we’ll do the same for you.

✅ Step 7: Loop In Your Team

Once the chaos is under control, don’t leave your employees in the dark.

Tell them what happened.
Explain what’s being done.
Let them know when it’s safe to come back.

Being open builds trust. Plus, people feel better when they understand what’s going on and know their safety matters to you.

✅ Step 8: Get Ahead of the Next One

No one wants a repeat of this kind of event, right? So take a little time once everything’s cleaned up to review:

Do you have an emergency plan?
Does your team know who to call and what to do?
Do you have a trusted biohazard cleanup company saved in your contacts?

If not, save our info now. And hey, we’re happy to come out and talk safety planning if you ever want help getting prepared.

Don’t Wait, Get Biohazard Restoration Help Now!

If your place of business has experienced a biohazard disaster, time is critical. Waiting = worsening issues, so call a team you can trust for experienced, expert restoration done right!

West Coast Fire & Water provides local, trusted restoration clean-up for biohazard disasters in the San Francisco Bay Area.