Biohazard & Trauma Cleaning Services Ireland

When the Unthinkable Happens

Biohazard situations are, by their nature, unexpected and distressing. A death in a property. A violent incident. A needle stick injury. A hoarding situation that has spiralled beyond control. A clandestine drug lab discovered in a rental unit. These are not situations that standard cleaning companies are equipped, trained, or willing to handle.

Optus Glean provides specialist biohazard and trauma cleaning services across all 26 counties of Ireland. Our teams are trained in bloodborne pathogen handling, chemical decontamination, sharps management, and trauma scene protocols. We work with sensitivity, discretion, and speed — because in these situations, every hour matters for the health and wellbeing of the people involved.

We understand that the people calling us are often in the worst moments of their lives. Our approach is compassionate and professional. We arrive in unmarked vehicles, we work discreetly, and we communicate with care. The technical work — the decontamination, the waste disposal, the restoration — is handled to the highest standard. But the human side matters just as much.

Biohazard Situations We Handle

Blood and Bodily Fluid Cleanup

Blood, vomit, urine, faeces, and other bodily fluids carry bloodborne pathogens including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. These pathogens can survive on surfaces for days or weeks. Standard cleaning products and methods are not sufficient to eliminate the risk. Optus Glean uses hospital-grade disinfectants, enzymatic cleaners, and ATP testing to ensure complete decontamination. All contaminated materials are disposed of as clinical waste through licensed waste carriers.

Unattended Death Cleaning

When a person dies alone and the death is not discovered for days, weeks, or longer, the decomposition process creates severe biohazard conditions. Bodily fluids penetrate flooring, subfloor, and walls. Decomposition gases permeate soft furnishings and building materials. Insect activity compounds the contamination. This is one of the most challenging cleaning scenarios, requiring specialist equipment, extensive decontamination, and often the removal and replacement of affected building materials. Optus Glean has the training, equipment, and experience to restore properties after unattended death to a safe and habitable condition.

Needle and Sharps Removal

Discarded needles and sharps are found in public spaces, stairwells, car parks, vacant properties, and commercial premises. Each needle carries the risk of transmitting bloodborne infections. Optus Glean provides safe sharps removal using puncture-resistant containers, proper handling protocols, and licensed disposal through clinical waste channels. We also provide ongoing sharps management for properties in high-risk areas, including regular sweeps and the installation of sharps bins.

Hoarding Remediation

Hoarding disorder affects an estimated 2–5% of the population, and the resulting living conditions often involve biohazard contamination: accumulated waste, rotting food, animal waste, mould, pest infestations, and structural damage. Hoarding remediation requires a careful, phased approach that respects the dignity of the affected person while systematically clearing, cleaning, and decontaminating the property. Optus Glean works with social workers, public health nurses, and family members to manage hoarding cleanups with sensitivity and thoroughness.

Drug Contamination Cleanup

Properties used for drug manufacturing or heavy drug use are contaminated with chemical residues that pose serious health risks to future occupants. Methamphetamine residue, in particular, permeates walls, ceilings, carpets, and HVAC systems. Cannabis grow operations leave behind mould, electrical hazards, and structural damage. Optus Glean provides comprehensive drug contamination assessment and remediation, including surface testing, chemical decontamination, and clearance testing to confirm the property is safe for reoccupation.

Our Biohazard Cleaning Process

1. Immediate Response — Call our emergency line at +353 (47) 37427. We triage the situation, provide guidance on immediate safety measures, and dispatch a team. In most cases, we are on site within 4 to 8 hours.
2. Scene Assessment — Our team leader assesses the contamination type, extent, and severity. We identify all affected materials and areas, assess structural integrity, and determine the remediation scope. A detailed written quote is provided before work begins.
3. Containment and PPE — The affected area is sealed with plastic sheeting. Air scrubbers with HEPA filtration are deployed. Our operatives wear full Tyvek suits, P3 respirators, double nitrile gloves, and boot covers. Contamination is contained to prevent cross-contamination of clean areas.
4. Removal and Decontamination — Contaminated materials that cannot be salvaged are removed and bagged as clinical waste. Hard surfaces are treated with hospital-grade disinfectants and enzymatic cleaners. Soft materials are assessed for salvageability — those that can be decontaminated are treated; those that cannot are removed.
5. Verification — ATP testing is used to verify that surfaces are decontaminated to safe levels. For drug contamination, surface swab testing confirms chemical residue levels are below safe thresholds. Documentation is provided for property owners, insurance companies, and regulatory bodies.
6. Waste Disposal — All biohazard waste is disposed of through licensed clinical waste carriers in compliance with EPA regulations and the European Communities (Waste Directive) Regulations 2011. Waste transfer documentation is provided.
7. Restoration Support — Where building materials have been removed (flooring, plasterboard, fixtures), we coordinate with contractors to restore the property. For vacant properties, we provide a complete deep clean after remediation to prepare the unit for re-letting or sale.

Discretion and Compassion

We recognise that biohazard situations often involve trauma, grief, and vulnerability. Our commitment to discretion is absolute:

• We arrive in unmarked vehicles with no company branding visible
• Equipment is transported in plain containers
• We communicate sensitively with family members, tenants, and neighbours
• All information about the scene and the client is treated as strictly confidential
• Our teams are selected for emotional resilience and interpersonal sensitivity, not just technical competence

For families dealing with the aftermath of a death, we handle the practicalities so they do not have to. For landlords and property managers dealing with contaminated properties, we manage the entire process from assessment to clearance certificate. For healthcare facilities dealing with biohazard incidents, we provide rapid response with full compliance documentation.

Insurance and Documentation

Most biohazard cleaning is covered under home insurance, landlord insurance, or commercial property insurance. Optus Glean provides:

• Detailed written quotation before work begins
• Photographic documentation (taken with sensitivity and discretion)
• Itemised invoice with full breakdown of works
• ATP and surface test results where applicable
• Waste transfer documentation
• Completion certificate confirming decontamination

We liaise directly with insurance companies and loss adjusters to streamline the claims process. In our experience, the documentation we provide is sufficient for the majority of claims to be processed without query.