Spill Cleanup Protocol

Any potentially contaminated clothing must be removed and placed in a biohazard waste bag for autoclaving. If the spill is outside of a biological safety cabinet (BSC), the laboratory must be evacuated immediately. It is the responsibility of the last person out to ensure that all doors have been closed. The room must remain vacant with the door shut for least 30 minutes to allow time for the laboratory ventilation system to clear any aerosolized material from the room, and thus decrease the risk of inhaling biohazardous materials.

• If this spill is outside of the laboratory, immediate cleanup is essential.  If outdoors, personnel should remain upwind from the spill, if at all possible. 
• If the spill is inside a centrifuge, the centrifuge should be closed as soon as the spill is noticed.  
• If the spill is contained inside a BSC, the room need not be evacuated, however, the BSC must remain running. 
• Hands and any other contaminated skin must be washed thoroughly with soap and water. 
• Everyone not needed for spill cleanup must be cautioned to stay away from the spill area. Signs may be posted if necessary.
  • EH&S and DPS are available to assist with spills that occur outside of the laboratory.  If at all possible, laboratory personnel should appoint someone to call so they may remain and secure the site. 
• Appropriate PPE must be worn.  At a minimum, disposable gloves, eye protection and a lab coat should be worn.  An N95 dust mask respirator is advised for spills greater than ~10mL outside a BSC, or any spill inside a centrifuge, because of the likelihood of splashing and/or aerosolization of the biohazardous material. 
• Any sharp contaminated objects must be removed from the spill area using mechanical means, never with hands. 
• After all sharps are removed, disinfectant must be poured carefully around the edges of the spill with care taken to avoid splashing.  Paper towels can be used to absorb as much of the spilled material as possible.  Working from the outside of the spill toward the center avoids spreading contamination. 
  • If the spill is inside a centrifuge, the rotor and its contents should be moved to a BSC, if possible. 
• If the spill is inside a BSC, the spill tray underneath the work area and the trough below the air intake grill must be cleaned as well. These are likely to be contaminated when the spill is large.
• Note: Alcohol is not recommended as a disinfectant for large spills, especially inside a BSC, because large amounts of alcohol pose an explosion hazard.
• After initial cleanup, the spill area must be flooded with disinfectant and left to soak for at least 20 minutes (adequate contact time is important to ensure complete decontamination).
• Disinfectant can be absorbed with paper towels. A final wipe-down should be done with clean paper towels soaked with disinfectant. Laboratory personnel should be sure to disinfect any equipment, walls or other areas likely to have been splashed by the spill.
• All contaminated waste must be disposed of properly.
• Hands must be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
• If the spill is inside a BSC, the cabinet should be left running for at least 10 minutes before resuming use.