Spill Response Procedures for Infectious agents and Recombinant DNA
Spills and accidents should be immediately reported to the Principal Investigator and the Department of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health (OSEH) (647-1143).
Large Spills Outside of the Biosafety Cabinet OSEH will respond to large spills (greater than 200 ml) of BSL-2 (or above) containment level material. Contact OSEH (647-1143) for help with large spill cleanup. Small Spills Outside of the Biosafety Cabinet
- Don double gloves and eye protection if not already wearing them.
- Cover spilled material with an absorbent paper towel or Kimwipe. Once the absorbent material is in place over the spill, wet the material with a 10% solution of bleach (1:10 dilution of Clorox containing sodium hypochlorite) or other appropriate disinfectant.
- Let stand 15-20 minutes, wipe up and wash surface with appropriate disinfectant.
- Wipe down all equipment and surfaces which may have been splashed.
Spill in a Biosafety Cabinet Note: Leave the cabinet turned on.
- Don double gloves, a lab coat, and eye protection if not already wearing them.
- Cover spilled material with an absorbent paper towel or Kimwipe. Once the absorbent material is in place, wet material with 10% solution of bleach (1:10 dilution of Clorox containing sodium hypochlorite) or other appropriate disinfectant. Let stand 15-20 minutes, wipe up and wash surface with appropriate disinfectant.
- If personnel are contaminated, remove potentially contaminated garments at the BSC and decontaminate garments by saturation with 70% ethanol or place in autoclave bag for autoclaving. Wash hands and other potentially exposed skin surfaces thoroughly with soap and water. Don fresh PPE, return to worksite, and spray walls, liners, and equipment with an appropriate disinfectant.
- Spray or wipe container walls, other work surfaces and equipment with the appropriate disinfectant
- If necessary, flood the work surface, drain pan and catch basin below the work surface with disinfectant. Allow at least 15-20 minutes contact time.
- Soak up the disinfectant and drain the catch basin into a container. Lift the front exhaust grille and tray and wipe all surfaces. Ensure that no foreign materials are blown into the area below the grille.
- If a 10% bleach solution is used on metal surfaces, rinse with water or 70% ethanol after decontamination is complete.
- If the spill overflows into the interior of the cabinet, more extensive decontamination of the cabinet may be necessary. Contact OSEH (763-6973) for decontamination of the cabinet.
Spill in the Laboratory
- If an infectious aerosol may exist outside of a biosafety cabinet, leave the room immediately, lock the door, post a warning sign and inform your supervisor. If clothing is contaminated, remove and turn the exposed side of fabric in on itself and place in autoclave bag or biohazard container. Wait at least 30 minutes before reentering the lab to allow dissipation of aerosol created by the spill. During this time, review clean-up procedures, assemble decontamination materials, PPE and contact OSEH (647-1143).
- Don fresh gloves, a lab coat or tyvek suit, and eye protection.
- Carefully lay disinfectant-soaked towels over the spill and pour more around the spill. Use more concentrated disinfectant if the volume of material will significantly dilute the disinfectant.
- Allow 15-20 minutes contact time.
- Use forceps to place sharp objects into a sharps container. Using a dustpan and dustbroom, tongs, etc., transfer all contaminated materials (paper towels, gloves, labware, etc.) biohazard waste containers and contact OSEH HazMat (763-4568) for removal.
- Wipe surrounding surfaces with disinfectant to cover all splash areas. Wipe flat surfaces to remove any material that may have splashed out and settled on those surfaces.
- Place all contaminated materials, including protective clothing, into an autoclave bag or biohazard waste container.
- Wash hands with soap and warm water.
- If a personnel exposure occurred, complete an Illness or Injury Report form (https://www.workconnections.umich.edu/illnessorinjury.php) summit to Work~Connections and report incident to OSEH (763-6973). See additional procedures noted below.
Skin, Mucous Membrane, or Injury Exposure
- If there is an agent-specific protocol for exposures, follow that (e.g., HIV, Herpes B).
- In the case of skin contact or injury with a contaminated instrument:
- Thoroughly wash area with soap and water. Do not squeeze the wound to induce bleeding.
- Avoid use of abrasive chemical soaps or disinfectant washes as they can cause skin abrasions and a possible additional route of entry for the agent.
- For mucous membranes (e.g., eyes, mouth), flush for a minimum of 15 minutes.
- Notify UM-Occupational Health Services (OHS) for evaluation of exposure following:
- Contact with mucous membranes;
- Contact with non-intact skin;
- Percutaneous exposure; or
- Any type of exposure that involves concentrated virus.
Certification
I have read and understand the above SOP. I agree to contact my Supervisor or Lab manager if I plan to modify this procedure. Sign by logging in and typing * ~~~~ in the list below:
- Davebridges (talk) 14:44, 13 September 2016 (UTC)
- Iharvey (talk) 21:28, 10 November 2016 (UTC)
- Snyderds (talk) 19:58, 7 June 2017 (UTC)
- Elhabbal (talk) 22:21, 12 June 2017 (UTC)
- Reddj (talk) 17:26, 15 June 2017 (UTC)
- Mollyec (talk) 21:43, 12 September 2019 (UTC)
- Kkistler (talk)
Prior Approval required – Is this procedure hazardous enough to warrant prior approval from the Laboratory Director? ☐ YES X NO
Laboratory Director - Dave Bridges Revision Date - 2016-09-13