Halloween Hazard

COEUR d’ALENE — As owner of Biogone, a professional hazardous cleanup and removal company, Rick Bennett’s work is not fun and definitely not pretty.

But on Halloween, he and employee Roger Slaugh decided to see if they couldn’t get a few laughs by donning their gear, complete with yellow overalls, air masks and white booties, while having lunch at the Breakfast Nook. 

They even sealed the deal with a “Caution Biohazard” tape stretched in front of their booth. 

Some customers were amused and asked if they could take their picture. Most laughed and smiled as they walked past.

Others arriving for lunch at the popular eatery off Third Street weren’t so sure. There were a few doubletakes. Is this for real? 

“Are you guys going to shut the building down?” asked one customer. 

Bennett assured them all was well, just a little levity on a day when costumes were the norm.

But their outfits weren't scare tactics. They are designed to keep the men safe.

He said in his 17 years in the hazardous cleanup business, he’s seen some “ugly stuff.” He and his team have been called in to clean up in jail cells, homes and industrial buildings.  

They have faced scenes of crime and trauma, unattended deaths and suicides and been asked to do what they can.

They have pulled up floors, removed carpets and ripped out walls. In one hoarding situation at a home a few months ago, they removed thousands of pounds of trash.

“We’re trying to erase some pretty horrific scenes,” Bennett said. 

He said they have had about 50 jobs this year, with much of their work in Washington state. 

Their protective clothing and gear when facing hazardous situations isn’t easy to wear. It gets hot and can be hard to breathe.  

“It's not easy work from an emotional standpoint, either,” he said. 

But Bennett finds satisfaction in his work believes it is a valuable service.

“There's a certain redeeming value in what we do,” he said. 

Still, despite the seriousness of it all, when they can generate a few laughs over a meal, like on Halloween, they go for it.

"We thought we would just have fun today,” Bennett said 

He credited the Breakfast Nook for going along with his fright night gag.

“They're good people. I eat here almost every day. Bennett said. "They treat us good."

“Nobody’s kicked us out yet,” Slaugh said, laughing.