EMERGENCY RESPONSE

1.    Biohazard Spills Inside a Biological Safety Cabinet
2.    Biohazard Spills Outside a Biological Safety Cabinet
3.    Decontamination and Clean Up of Blood (Biohazard) Spills

  Biohazard Spills Inside a Biological Safety Cabinet

1. Leave the cabinet operating in order to contain aerosols and to HEPA filter the exhaust air.
2. Don appropriate personal protective gear before initating clean-up. (e.g., gloves, goggles, lab coat)
3. Initiate cleanup as soon as possible with a suitable disinfectant such as 10% clorox (mixed daily), a phenolic or iodophor. Alcohol is not recommended. Large quantities may create the risk of fire.
4. If the spill is on the work area surface, cover spilled material with disinfectant-soaked towels. Wipe and remove toweling. Also, clean any splatter on items within the cabinet.
5. Apply disinfectant to the interior of the cabinet and items within the cabinet. Allow 20 minutes of contact time with the disinfectant. Wipe down the cabinet and items with the disinfectant.
6. Allow the cabinet to run at least 10 minutes after cleanup before activity is resumed.

Biohazard Spills Outside of a Biological Safety Cabinet

The following procedure should be followed in the event of a spill of a Biosafety Level 2 biological agent outside of a biological safety cabinet:

1. Notify others of the spill. Clear area of all personnel. Notify Principal Investigator or Supervisor and the EHRS Department. (X8925, X8843, or X3141)
2. Remove any contaminated clothing and place in biohazard bag to be autoclaved later and wash any affected body parts with a disinfectant soap.
3. Secure the area. Do not let anyone enter the area. (Lock the door and post a warning sign)
4. Wait for any aerosols to settle before entering spill area. (Approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour)
5. Have the spill clean up material ready to go before you start the clean up.
6. Define/isolate the contaminated area.
7. Wearing personal protective equipment (disposable long-sleeved gown or lab coat, safety goggles, shoe coverings, gloves, respiratory protection, if needed), remove glass with forceps, tongs or scoop, cover the spill with disinfectant-soaked absorbent towels, wipe and remove toweling.
8. Surround and cover the area with a suitable disinfectant (e.g, 10% clorox (mixed daily), phenolic, iodophor). Allow at least 20 minutes of contact time.
9. Place contaminated used sharps or glass in an appropriate biohazard waste sharps container.
10. Wipe the entire area with the disinfectant.
11. Wash hands when gloves are removed.
12. Dispose of all clean up material as biohazard waste.
13. While cleaning, work from the outside of the spill and move in, using a circular motion.

Decontamination and Clean up of Blood Spills

If anyone is unsure of what personal protective equipment to use or how to clean a spill, talk to your supervisor or call the Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) Department. (X8925, X8843 or X3141)

Information on chemical spills.

Information on radioactive spills.