Biological Spills

Many factors should be considered when assessing the severity of a spill including volume, infectious dose, location, and potential for aerosolization.

Major Spill: More than 10ml or with considerable splashing
Minor Spill: Less than 10 ml with no splashing

When spills occur inside of a biosafety cabinet (BSC), the cleanup is much easier because the BSC works to contain aerosols that were generated during the spill.

Click to see the relevant procedure

Major Spill Inside of a BSC

1. Keep the BSC on.

2. Close the sash of the BSC.

3. Attend to injured or contaminated persons.

4. Alert personnel in the area of the spill and post a sign on the BSC sash that indicates the nature and the time of the spill.

5. Call EHS (404-216-5237) and/or GT Police (404-894-2500).

6. EHS to arrange clean-up.

Major Spill Outside of a BSC

1. Avoid inhaling airborne materials while quickly leaving the room. Notify others to leave the room and close the door.

2. Post a sign on the door indicating the nature and time of the spill.

3. Remove contaminated clothing/PPE.

4. Wash all exposed skin with soap and warm water.

5. Call EHS (404-216-5237) and/or GT Police (404-894-2500).

6. EHS to arrange clean-up.

Minor Spill Inside of a BSC

1. Keep the BSC on.

2. Change PPE.

3. Cover spill area with absorbent material.

4. Pour liquid disinfectant onto the absorbent material from the outside of the spill area, moving in.

5. Allow for appropriate contact time.

6. Collect spill material and dispose of as biohazard waste.

7. Spray/wipe walls, work surfaces, and equipment with disinfectant solution and allow for appropriate contact time before wiping up residue.

8. Decontaminate grill pans if applicable.

9. Dispose of all spill clean-up materials as biohazard waste.

10. Allow for the BSC to run for at least 10 minutes after cleanup and before resuming work.

11. Notify users that spill cleanup is complete.

Minor Spill Outside of a BSC

1. Avoid inhaling airborne materials while quickly leaving the room. Notify others to leave the room and close the door.

2. Post a sign on the door indicating the nature and time of the spill.

3. Remove contaminated clothing/PPE.

4. Wash all exposed skin with soap and warm water.

5. Wait 30 minutes to allow aerosols to settle before entering the spill area for cleaning.

6. Don appropriate PPE.

7. Cover spill areas with absorbent material.

8. Pour liquid disinfectant onto the absorbent material from the outside of the spill area, moving towards the center. Allow for appropriate contact time.

9. Collect absorbent material and dispose of as biohazard waste.

10. Spray work surfaces, cabinets and equipment surrounding the spill area with appropriate disinfectant solution and allow for appropriate contact time before wiping up the areas with absorbent materials.

11. Remove PPE and wash hands.

12. Notify users that spill cleanup is complete.

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Biological Spills

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