Biological Spills
Biological spills are those than involve potentially hazardous microorganisms or possibly contaminated bodily fluids.
Cleaning up a biological spill step by step:
- Help anybody that might be contaminated by flushing the area splashed. The safety shower, eye wash unit, or the sink can be used for this purpose.
- Inform persons in the vicinity of the spill. Evacuate all nonessential personnel from the spill area, and post danger.
- Put on protective equipment. This includes a laboratory coat with long sleeves, tear-resistant gloves (wear two pairs), disposable shoe covers and safety goggles.
- Cover spill with paper towels.
- Carefully pour a freshly prepared 1 to 10 dilution of household bleach. First bleach the edges and then the center areas. Avoid splashing.
- Let the spill soak for a minimum of 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes clean the spill with fresh towels soaked in bleach or disinfectant.
- Bleached materials are disinfected and can go in the trash, Bleach cannot be autoclaved.
- Remove gloves one at the time by grasping the wrist end and pulling. toward the fingers. The gloves should then come inside out.
- All contaminated protective equipment should be placed in another waste bag and autoclaved.
- Vigorously wash hands, arms and shoe soles with lots of soap and water for at least one full minute.
- Report incident to laboratory supervisor and Chemical Safety Officer at X7280.