Is it safe to clean bird poop outside?

Introduction

As experts in the field of bird poop cleaning, we understand the importance of safety when it comes to dealing with bird droppings. In this informative post, we will discuss the potential health hazards associated with cleaning bird poop outside and provide guidelines on how to safely clean up and remove bird droppings.

Health Hazards

Bird droppings can pose health risks, particularly when they are dry and become airborne as a fine dust. Inhaling pathogenic spores found in bird droppings can lead to infections such as cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis. Therefore, it is crucial to take proper precautions when cleaning up bird poop outside to minimize the risk of exposure.

Worker Protection

When cleaning large areas or dried waste, it is important to protect workers from infective organisms present in bird droppings. Here are some guidelines for worker protection:

  1. Preliminary Consultation: Before disturbing accumulated droppings, it is advisable to inform the Director of Environmental Management. They may consult with local health officials to provide advice on personal safety measures, such as protective clothing and the proper selection, use, and fitting of respirators.

  2. Breathing Protection: When working with accumulated droppings, it is essential to wear a NIOSH-approved respirator with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capable of excluding particles of 0.3 micron. Dust and particle masks do not provide adequate protection and are not approved for this use.

  3. Protective Clothing: Wear disposable coveralls, gloves, boots, and hats to protect personal clothing from contamination. Seal the interfaces of gloves/sleeves and boots/legs with duct tape before entering the worksite. After completing the work, vacuum the protective coveralls, boots, and gloves using a HEPA vacuum and remove them in an excrement-free area. Treat disposable clothing believed to be contaminated as infectious waste.

  4. Waste Removal Procedures: To prevent airborne dispersal of droppings and pathogens, it is recommended to saturate the droppings with water before removal. Use a low-velocity mist spray instead of high-pressure or concentrated streams that may scatter the droppings. Nonmetallic tools like plastic spatulas and brushes with natural fiber or nylon bristles should be used to remove droppings from historic or sensitive structures.

Public Protection

When performing bird excrement removal in public areas, extra precautions should be taken to protect the public. Consider scheduling the removal for periods of minimum building or area use, such as weekends. Close all heating and cooling system air intakes during the cleanup to prevent interior air contamination. If possible, perform all work from the outside of the building and provide barricades and signage to keep the public clear of the work site.

Disposal

Proper disposal of bird droppings is essential to prevent potential contamination. Double bag the droppings and any associated soil in thick plastic bags and securely close them. Place the bags in a cardboard container and consult with the Director of Environmental Management before placing them in a trash dumpster. If the droppings have been proven to contain specific pathogens, they should be incinerated through a bio-hazardous waste disposal company.

Conclusion

Cleaning bird poop outside can pose health risks if not done safely and correctly. By following the guidelines provided, you can ensure the protection of workers, the public, and the proper disposal of bird droppings. If you require professional bird poop cleaning services, please contact Bird Poop Cleaning at hello@khunclean.com or call us at 082-797-3702.

Call us at 082-797-3702 or email us at hello@khunclean.com to get professional bird poop cleaning services for your balconies, homes, storage, and factories in Bangkok!