Procedure for cleaning up biological spills in laboratories

1. Biological Spills Clean-
up Procedures

2. Definition
• Biological spills are any spill of biological and
microbiological materials into a non-
controlled environment. These spills may be
relatively small and in laboratory
environments or possibly large in outdoor
environments.

3. Purpose
• To insure that appropriate procedures are
followed to prevent contamination of the
environment, securities of the area during
clean up, and the safety of all individuals
involved in the cleanup process.

4. Scope
• This procedure applies to all FBTI personnel.
Only trained and competent personnel are
authorized to assess spills and clean up spills
within their capacity.

5. Spill Clean-up Materials
The following materials should be assembled
in one place in the laboratories; all personnel
must know of the location:
• disinfectant solution (a 1/10 dilution of
household bleach, prepared fresh daily is
effective)
• forceps, tongs, broom, dust pan
• personal protective equipment (PPE): safety
glasses, respirators, goggles, or face shield,
utility gloves (latex or nitrite, long cuffs to
cover wrists and allow lab coat sleeves to be
tucked in), wrap-around lab coat, shoe covers
(may be used when shoes risk becoming
contaminated)

6. N.B. PPE should de disposable or easily
decontaminated (i.e. autoclaved). DO NOT
reuse PPE unless it has decontaminated.
• 'biohazard' bag, sharps container
• paper towels or other absorbent
• Personal exposure takes priority over clean
up.

7. • If you are exposed, immediately remove
contaminated clothing and other protective
equipment and wash affected areas with soap
and water. If medical follow-up is warranted it
should be sought immediately.

8. A. Spills involving micro-organisms
with low to moderate risk
• Alert people in immediate area.
• Put on personal protective equipment.
• Cover an area twice the size of the spill with
disinfectant soaked-paper towels. Or,
surround spill with dry disinfectant as per
label directions.
• Allow a 20 minute contact period.
• Wipe down any contaminated stationary
equipment or furniture with disinfectant.

9. • Use forceps, tongs, or broom to remove broken
glass and other items; place in sharps container
or red bag.
• Remove towels and re-clean area with
disinfectant solution.
• Decontaminate (autoclave, chemical treatment)
reusable clean-up items and other reusable
equipment.
• Inform laboratory personnel when the clean-up is
complete

10. B. Spills micro-organisms with risk
of serious disease via inhalation
exposure
• Alert personnel in the area to hold their
breath, leave the room, and close the door.
• Wait thirty minutes to allow airborne
organisms to settle.
• Collect all needed spill response
supplies; wear suitable PPE, including a
respirator.
• Return to lab and clean-up as per directions in
section A above.

11. • Autoclave all spill-related materials and then
dispose in appropriate risky material waste
(RMW) container.
• WARNING: It will be necessary to wear a
respirator during such a response.

12. C. Spills inside a Biological Safety
(Laminar Flow) Cabinet
• Keep the cabinet running.
Clean-up as per directions above, making sure
to wipe down back and side walls of cabinet
using disinfectant solution.
• If material has spilled into the catch basin
beneath the work surface, add a volume of
disinfectant equal to the quantity in the basin,
wait 20 minutes, and absorb with paper
towels.
• After completion, allow cabinet to run for ten
minutes before resuming work.

13. D. Spills inside a centrifuge
• Shut centrifuge off and do not open the lid
for 20 minutes to allow aerosols to settle.
• Put on PPE.
• Use a squeeze bottle to apply disinfectant to
all contaminated surfaces within the chamber,
taking care to minimize splashing.
• Allow 20 minute contact period and then
complete clean-up of the chamber.
• Remove buckets and rotors to nearest
Biological Safety Cabinet; disinfect and clean
as per manufacturer's instructions.

14. E. Spills Outside the Laboratory
• Viable organisms should only leave the
laboratory in a well sealed primary (inner) and
secondary (outer) container with a closable
top. A test-tube rack inside a tray is not
acceptable.
• The exterior of the secondary container
should be wiped down with disinfectant prior
to leaving the laboratory so that it can be
transported without wearing gloves.

15. • Carry paper towels and if a spill occurs use the
towels to cover the spill but do not attempt a
clean-up without appropriate disinfectant and
personal protective equipment.
• Notify people in the immediate area
and collect clean-up material and proceed
with clean-up

16. Reporting
Spills must be reported as soon as possible to the
following individuals/groups;
• The lab Supervisor
• SHE Officer
• FBTI Director
Reports should include:
• Your name
• Exact location of spill
• Type of emergency
• The details and action taken

17. Biological Hazards Classification
Group I HBA are HBA that is unlikely to cause
human disease;
Group 2 HBA
are HBA that may cause human disease and
be a hazard to exposed persons, which is
unlikely to spread to the community and for
which effective prophylaxis and treatment is
usually available;

18. Group 3 HBA
are HBA that may cause severe human disease,
which presents a serious hazard to exposed
persons and which may present a risk of
spreading to the community, but for which
effective prophylaxis and treatment is
available;

19. Group 4 HBA
are HBA that causes severe human disease
and is a serious hazard to exposed persons
and which may present a high risk of
spreading to the community, but for which no
effective prophylaxis and treatment is
available

20. THE END