Preplanning for Biological Spill Cleanup

All spills of biological materials do not represent the same risk to personnel and the environment, making each spill somewhat unique. Nevertheless, preplanning of spill response will lower the risk of cleaning up a spill and will increase the likelihood that the spill is handled appropriately. Laboratory supervisors should prepare their laboratory for typical spill scenarios expected in the laboratory. Laboratory workers should be informed of the hazards of the biological agents used in the laboratory, the risk associated with these agents during spill scenarios, how to safely cleanup the agents, and properly dispose of cleanup materials. Each laboratory should have spill cleanup materials available to respond to the largest spill anticipated for that area. It is recommended that as a minimum, the following spill cleanup materials be available in the laboratory:

• Gloves - thick chemical resistant gloves or double pair of thin, nitrile gloves recommended
• Safety Goggles – a face shield is recommended to avoid splashes to the nose and mouth
• Lab coat or smock to protect clothing and body
• Absorbent pads
• Disinfectant appropriate for the agents used in the laboratory
• Forceps or other devices to pick up contaminated material (especially sharps)
• Sharps disposal container
• Autoclavable biohazard bags

Additional items needed for cleanup of biological agents can be added to your chemical spill kit in order to customize it for your laboratory. OEHS can assist you in customizing your spill kit.

Factors to consider when assessing the risk that a spill presents:

• Volume and concentration of the spilled material.
• The infectious dose of the spilled material and routes of exposure.
• Location of the spill.
• Degree of aerosolization of the agent resulting from the spill.
• Susceptibility of the spilled material to disinfection.
• Nature of the affected surface(s) and its ability to “hide” organisms from disinfection.
• Immune status of immediate personnel.

As with any hazardous materials spill or release, the safety of personnel is the most important consideration.

Cleanup is to begin only after it is determined that the personnel who will carry out the task have appropriate knowledge, training, and equipment to do so in the safest manner possible.

Call OEHS at 313-577-1200 for assistance if you have any concerns about the safety of cleaning up a biological spill on your own.

Spill inside a biological safety cabinet (BSC):

• Wear laboratory coat (disposable recommended), safety glasses, and gloves (appropriate for the biological agent and the chemical disinfectant) during cleanup.
• Allow the biological safety cabinet to run continually during cleanup.
• Surround the affected spill area with absorbent material to prevent spread of the spill. Apply disinfectant appropriate for the biological agent and allow a minimum of 20 minutes contact time (or as directed by manufacturer’s instructions). Alcohol or other flammable liquids are not recommended.
• Wipe up spill with disposable cloth or towel soaked with disinfectant.
• Wipe the walls and work surface of the BSC, and any equipment in the cabinet with a disinfectant-soaked cloth.
• Place contaminated items in an appropriate container (biohazard waste bag, sharps container, or autoclavable pan with lid for reusable items) for autoclaving.
• Allow non-autoclavable items to have a minimum of 20 minutes contact time with disinfectant (or as directed by manufacturer’s instructions) before removing from the BSC.
• Remove protective clothing and place in a biohazard waste bag for autoclaving.
• Thoroughly wash hands, forearms, and face with soap and water.
• Allow BSC to run for a minimum of 10 minutes before resuming work or shutting it off.

Spill in the laboratory (outside the biological safety cabinet)

• If a BSL1 agent (or less than 100 ml of a BSL2 agent) is spilled, proceed to step 4.
• If the spill involves greater than 100 ml of a BSL2 agent, immediately evacuate all personnel from the affected area. Wait for aerosol to settle (usually a minimum of 30 minutes) before entering the spill area. Exception: If the laboratory is not under negative pressure, cleanup should begin as soon as possible to minimize the spread of aerosols.
• Notify OEHS at 313-577-1200 as soon as possible for assistance with the cleanup.
• Remove any contaminated clothing and place in a biohazard waste bag for autoclaving, and wash all areas affected by skin contact with soap and water.
• Wear a long-sleeved gown or lab coat (disposable recommended), shoe covers, safety glasses (face shield also recommended), and gloves (appropriate for biological agent and disinfectant).
• Place absorbent pads over the spill (to absorb liquid), then place a second layer of disinfectant-soaked absorbent pads over the spill.
• Pour additional disinfectant around the spill, being careful to minimize aerosolization, and work from the periphery toward the center, ensuring thorough contact of the spill with the disinfectant. Disinfect all items in the spill area.
• Allow a minimum of 20 minutes contact time (or as directed by manufacturer’s directions) with the disinfectant.
• Wipe down all equipment, tools, etc. with disinfectant.
• Place contaminated items in an appropriate container (biohazard waste bag, sharps container, or autoclavable pan with lid for reusable items) for autoclaving.
• Remove protective clothing and place in a biohazard waste bag for autoclaving.
• Thoroughly wash hands, forearms, and face with soap and water. It is recommended that cleanup personnel shower as soon as possible.

Spill inside a centrifuge

• Clear the area of all personnel and allow aerosol to settle (usually a minimum of 30 minutes) before re-entering the area.
• Wear a laboratory coat (disposable recommended), safety glasses, and gloves during cleanup. Transfer the rotor and buckets to a biological safety cabinet for cleanup.
• Using an appropriate disinfectant, thoroughly disinfect the inside of the centrifuge, and the rotor and buckets.
• Discard cleanup materials and protective clothing as biohazardous waste.
• Thoroughly wash hands, forearms, and face with soap and water.

Spill outside the laboratory during transport

• Immediately clear the area of all personnel and secure the area.
• Cleanup should be initiated as soon as possible to prevent spread of aerosol.
• Attempt cleanup only if appropriate cleanup materials and protective clothing are available.
• Notify OEHS at 313-577-1200 as soon as possible for assistance with the cleanup.

It is impossible to prevent aerosolization when a spill occurs outside of the laboratory. Therefore, the primary emphasis when transporting biological agents is on spill prevention.

All biological agents are to be transported from the laboratory inside an unbreakable, well-sealed, primary container with absorbent material that is contained inside of a second unbreakable, well-sealed, secondary container.

Both the primary and secondary containers must be labeled with the universal biohazard symbol and the identity of the agent.