Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How soon can you be here?
A: Because we recognize the urgency in these situations, Garner Environmental Services will respond to emergencies as soon as we get the call, 24/7. We know it is something that you want resolved as quickly as possible.
- Q: Do you respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
A: As part of our services, we will respond anytime necessary, but we have found that most scenes can be cleaned during normal business hours.
- Q: What is the cost of your services?
A: A very common question during the initial phone conversation. Unfortunately we cannot give an accurate price without seeing the scene first. Our fees are calculated on how many employees the job will need, how long they will be there, and how much biohazard disposal will be needed. We always provide free estimates and no payment is required at the time of service. Before you agree to any service, give us the opportunity to provide a written estimate, we will beat any company’s written estimate. Always verify you are dealing with a reputable company.
- Q: Who pays for this service?
A: Our services are usually covered by homeowners, commercial and auto insurance policies. All work is documented and photographed, upon request, to assist the insurance companies in expediting your claim. If a crime has been committed, the State of Texas will pay up to $750.00 for our services as well as funeral services, counseling and many other expenses. All publications, forms and applications are located on our website. Contact us if you would like assistance in completing the application.
- Q: How long will the cleanup take and what will it cost?
A: Every incident is unique and an inspection of the scene is necessary before we (or anyone) can give you an accurate estimate.
- Q: Why do I need Garner?
A: Our team of professionals has been trained and certified to properly remove, decontaminate and legally dispose of potentially infectious waste. Quite often, body fluids collect beneath surfaces and are not visible to the untrained eye. We will find and decontaminate all areas exposed to bloodborne pathogens and bio-hazardous/infectious materials.
- Q: Why can't I just have my employees clean the scene?
A: OSHA's Blood-Borne Pathogen Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030 states that employees cannot be exposed to blood spills without the proper training and procedures in place. Violating these regulations can result in fines ranging from $7,000-$70,000. ONLY if your business complies with these actions and 29 CFR 1910.1030, can you allow an employee to clean up a trauma scene. Due to the risks involved with exposure to such pathogens, most insurance companies recommend clean-up by a trained professional.
- Q: Can any cleaning service recover blood, body fluids or pathological waste?
A: No. Per Federal Regulation 29 CFR 1910.1030, only service providers that have received the required training, have been properly equipped to handle bio-hazardous waste, and have mechanisms in place to properly dispose of the recovered waste and deal with any possible exposures, may provide these services.
- Q: Why is decontamination so important?
A: Some blood-borne pathogens can survive outside the human body for long periods of time.
For example:
AIDS virus (HIV) - up to 48 hours
Hepatitis B - 2 to 8 weeks
Proper decontamination is important to protect yourself, your family, friends, employees or clients by destroying these viruses. Furthermore, failure to properly clean and decontaminate the scene can lead to severe odors.
