Biohazardous Spills
All laboratories performing activities involving the use of biohazards should have the supplies necessary to respond to a biohazardous spill in one easily accessible location (e.g., under the sink) to minimize unnecessary foot traffic and prevent further contamination of the laboratory.
What do I need?
- Extra PPE (clean lab coat, extra gloves)
- Absorbent materials (e.g. paper towels, kitty litter)
- Agent-appropriate disinfectant (e.g. concentrated bleach)
- Biohazard bags
- Broom and dustpan or other mechanical means of picking up broken glass
- A laminated copy of the IBC-approved spill response procedures
What do I do?
In the event of a spill involving biohazards:
- If any biohazardous material gets in your eyes, flush your eyes at the nearest eyewash station.
- Remove contaminated clothing and wash any exposed body parts.
- Notify others and denote the area of the spill.
- Cover the spill with absorbent material.
- Saturate the absorbent material with an approved disinfectant and allow sufficient contact time (i.e., 30 minutes).
- After allowing sufficient contact time, gather bleach soaked materials and place into the regular trash.
- Pick up disinfected broken glass with a broom and dustpan or forceps and place into a broken glass container.
- Make sure the area is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Repeat cleaning if necessary.
Whom do I contact?
Always report spills or incidents to your principal investigator or lab supervisor.
Any spill involving recombinantly modified agents or Risk Group 2 materials that occurs outside of a biosafety cabinet must be reported to the Biosafety program.