SafetyNet #127 - Guidelines for Biological Spill Clean-up
This Safety Net outlines the steps to take after a biological spill has occurred. If you would like assistance or recommendations for a spill clean-up you can call the EH&S front desk (752-1493), however you must call 911 (from a campus phone) or 752-1234 (from a cell phone) if the spill is greater than 500 mls.
1. A Biological Spill Kit should include the following items:
- Bleach or other approved disinfectant
- Spray bottle or other appropriate container to dilute bleach
- Gloves (multiple sizes)
- Eye protection/face shield
- Paper towels
- Long forceps
- Red biohazard bags
- Broom and dustpan (to clean up broken glass)
2. The appropriate PPE should always be worn when cleaning a biological spill:
- RG1 agents – Lab coat or Tyvek gown and gloves
- RG2 – Lab coat or Tyvek gown, gloves, and at least a surgical mask
- RG2 agents that are aerosol transmitted (including plasmids with oncogenes) and all RG3 agents – Lab coat or Tyvek gown, gloves, goggles, and a properly fit-tested respirator (at least N95)
3. To clean up a biological spill outside of a biosafety cabinet:
- Let the spill “settle” for at least 30 minutes (if it is a Risk group 2 or 3 agent), evacuate the laboratory, and post signs on the doors to prevent re-entry before it is safe.
- Wear appropriate PPE mask to clean biohazardous spills outside of a biological safety cabinet.
- Distribute paper towels around the periphery of the spill, then towards the center.
- When the spill is fully contained, spray or pour 10% bleach or other approved disinfectant on the paper towels, allow 30 minutes contact time.
- Pick up the paper towels with large forceps and put them in a red biohazard bag. Change gloves and put used gloves in biohazard bag as well.
- Spray or pour 10% bleach or other approved disinfectant on the surface residue.
- Wipe up the residue with paper towels and place in red biohazard bag
- Repeat the last two steps at least once.
4. To clean up a biological spill inside of a biosafety cabinet:
- Always ensure that the bottom drain is closed before working at a biological safety cabinet.
- Use the same techniques described above regarding paper towel placement and disinfectant use, but a 30 minute wait for the initial spill to settle is usually not necessary unless some of the spill occurred outside of the biological safety cabinet.
- If 10% bleach is used to decontaminate the spill on a stainless steel surface, follow with sprayed water or 70% ethanol and wipe dry with paper towels.
For additional information on cleaning up a biological spill, contact your EH&S Safety Advisor, EH&S at 752-1493 or ehs@ucdavis.edu.
Created 06/08
NLD