A biohazard cleaning course teaches you the knowledge, processes and safety procedures needed to approach specialist cleaning work professionally. You will learn about PPE, workplace hazards, risk assessments, waste streams and the correct processes for different types of trauma and biohazard cleaning work.
At the National Academy of Specialist Cleaners, our How to Be a Biohazard Cleaner training course forms part of our wider Trauma and Biohazard course. The training helps you understand the risks involved in working around biological hazards, contaminated materials, sharps, bodily fluids and other potentially hazardous waste. You can view the full course information here.
Additionally, whether you want to start a career in specialist cleaning or develop your existing skills, the course gives you a structured introduction to this specialist sector.
What do you learn on a biohazard cleaning course?
Our biohazard cleaning course teaches you how to approach specialist cleaning work safely and methodically.
Biohazard cleaning differs greatly from general commercial or domestic cleaning. Each environment can present different hazards, so specialist cleaners need to assess the situation, plan the work and choose suitable equipment before they start.
As a result, the course covers a range of specialist cleaning scenarios, including:
- Unattended death cleaning
- Trauma and biohazard cleaning
- Hoarding and property clearance
- Needle and sharps collection
- Contaminated waste
- Bodily fluids and biological contamination
We take you through the considerations that specialist cleaners need to make when attending these types of jobs and explain how to approach each situation professionally.
What PPE and equipment do biohazard cleaners use?
Choosing the correct personal protective equipment plays an important role in biohazard cleaning.
During the course, you will learn how to select appropriate PPE and equipment for different types of specialist cleaning work.
For example, cleaning a property following an unattended death may involve different hazards from a hoarding clearance.
We teach delegates to consider the specific hazards within each environment before choosing their PPE, equipment and control measures.
You will not simply learn about the equipment available. You will also understand why you might need particular protection and how PPE contributes to a wider safe system of work.
Do you learn about biohazard risk assessments?
Yes. The course teaches you how to recognise hazards, assess risks and produce a basic risk assessment for trauma and biohazard cleaning work.
Before starting a job, a specialist cleaner needs to identify potential hazards and decide how to reduce the risks to everyone involved.
A risk assessment may consider:
- Biological contamination
- Needles and sharps
- Hazardous substances
- Contaminated surfaces and materials
- Slips, trips and physical hazards
- PPE requirements
- Waste handling and removal
Learning how to assess these risks help you approach unfamiliar environments systematically and plan the work before you begin cleaning.
Do biohazard cleaning courses cover waste disposal?
Yes. Waste streams are an important part of biohazard cleaning.
Specialist cleaning jobs can produce several types of contaminated waste. You cannot simply dispose of this material alongside normal household or commercial rubbish.
During the course, you will learn about different waste streams and how to identify, handle and manage biohazard waste correctly.
We also explain how specialist cleaners need to follow current government waste regulations when handling and disposing of contaminated materials.
Current waste management protects cleaners, customers, and other people on site and anyone who handles the waste after it leaves the property.
Do you learn how to complete specialist cleaning jobs?
Yes. We take delegates through step-by-step processes for different types of specialist cleaning work.
You will explore methods and techniques for jobs ranging from cleaning after an unattended death to hoarding and property clearance work.
The training covers the different stages of a job, helping you understand how to assess the environment, prepare for the work, complete the cleaning process and manage contaminated materials correctly.
The aim is to give delegates a clearer picture of what happens from the initial assessment of an environment through to completing the specialist cleaning work to a high professional standard.
Is there practical biohazard cleaning training?
Yes. We offer an additional optional practical training day at the end of the course.
If you choose to attend, you can spend the day gaining hands-on experience within our practical training facility.
The practical day gives you an opportunity to apply some of the knowledge gained during the course in a controlled training environment.
For anyone new to specialist cleaning, this hands-on experience can help build confidence when using PPE, equipment and the working methods discussed.
Are assessments included?
Yes. You will complete assessments during the course.
The assessments help us confirm your understanding of the key subjects and principles covered during your training.
They also give you an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of specialist cleaning procedures, workplace hazards, risk management and other important aspects of biohazard work.
Do you receive certification?
Yes. Our courses are CPD certified.
After successfully completing your training, you will receive certification that demonstrates the professional development you have undertaken.
For existing cleaning professionals, certification can also support continued professional development and demonstrate investment in developing specialist knowledge.
Who can attend a biohazard cleaning course?
You do not need previous specialist cleaning experience to attend our course.
We welcome people from a wide range of backgrounds including:
- Aspiring specialist cleaners
- Existing cleaning professionals who want to upskill
- Landlords
- Facilities and property managers
- Emergency response workers
- Support workers
- People considering a career in specialist cleaning
Our training can help people starting a completely new career as well as professionals who may come into contact with biohazard environments through their existing work.
Do you need previous experience?
No. You do not need previous experience.
We start with the fundamental principles of specialist cleaning before moving through the hazards, responsibilities, working methods and procedures involved in different types of trauma and biohazard work.
Therefore, this structured approach makes the course suitable for newcomers while also giving experienced cleaning professionals an opportunity to develop their specialist knowledge.