Basic Biological Safety – Principles and Practices

Spill Response and Clean-up

Decontamination

Spill protocols should be written down, readily available and tailored to what is being used in your laboratory. Spill protocols are needed because unexpected things happen – when it comes to safety you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Basic spill response actions are outlined in the following sections.

Small Biohazardous Spill Outside a Biological Safety Cabinet

  1. Cover spill with paper towels and carefully pour an appropriate disinfectant solution (1:10 dilutions of household bleach) around the spill, taking care not to create aerosols while pouring.
  2. Put on disposable gloves and cover spill with disinfectant soaked paper towels.
  3. Report spill to supervisor if you have not already done so.
  4. Let stand for at least 20 minutes.
  5. Transfer all contaminated materials into an autoclave bag; autoclave and dispose of spill clean up materials as appropriate.
  6. Wash hands with soap or other anti-microbial agent.

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Updated November 27, 2007 by SAK