BIOLOGICAL SPILL KIT IN A 5 GALLON BUCKET WITH LID
Spill response and cleanup procedures (SOP)
1 Notepad
1 Pen
6 Business cards
1 Permanent marker
1 trash bag
6 Biohazard stickers
1 roll duct tape
1 roll absorbent paper towels
4 Absorbent pads (each holds 500ml)
1 Small sharps container
4 Biohazard waste bags and closures
1 hand broom with dustpan
1 squeegee
1 pair tongs
Antibacterial soap
Hand sanitizer
250 ml concentrated bleach less than 1 year old
1 Spray bottle with distilled water to mix bleach solution
6 pair nitrile gloves (XL)
1 set Tyvek coveralls
2 Disposable waterproof apron
3 pair disposable shoe covers
Splash goggles
2 N-95 respirators
o (NOTE: medical clearance & fit-testing required by Occupational Safety for
respirator use)*
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SPILL RESPONSE AND CLEAN-UP OUTSIDE BIOSAFETY CABINET
Assemble the materials listed above in the biological spill kit before taking action. After the 30
minute evacuation period clean up the spill as soon as possible.
RESPONSE
REMAIN CALM!
Alert people who are in the immediate area there has been a spill
Remove contaminated clothing as you leave the area (evacuate)
Also try to isolate the spill as much as possible by closing doors, hood sashes,
etc. if it does not delay your evacuation.
Post a “DO NOT ENTER” sign outside the spill area and restrict access
Allow aerosols to settle (~30 minutes)
Immediately wash your hands and any exposed areas with soap and warm water
Evaluate the agent’s specific hazards
Contact emergency services and the Biological Safety Coordinator for assistance
Seek medical treatment if warranted*
Assess the extent of the spill and formulate a plan for decontamination
Assemble a spill response kit and clean-up team
SPILL CLEAN-UP
Put on gowns, gloves (double if needed), shoe covers, and appropriate personal protective
equipment from spill kit.
Starting at the perimeter of the spill and working toward the center, cover the spill with
paper towels or other absorbent material.
Slowly pour disinfectant over the absorbent material being careful to avoid splashing and
spill starting around the edges and working toward the center. Saturate the area with the
disinfectant.
Allow sufficient contact time for the disinfectant to inactivate biohazardous agents;
typically 15-20 minutes, but double the contact time for viscous materials or body fluid.
Use a squeegee and paper towels to wipe up the spill, working from the edges to the
center.
Use tongs/forceps/dust pan to pick up sharp objects (broken glass, etc.) that may puncture
gloves.
Discard absorbent material used to clean-up the spill in biohazard waste bag. Use the 5
gallon bucket for large sharp objects or saturated absorbent materials.
Clean the the spill area again using with fresh paper towels soaked in disinfectant.
Thoroughly wet the spill area and allow to disinfect for approximately 15-20 minutes.
Discard cleanup materials in biohazard bag, along with any contaminated PPE.
Any re-useable and autoclavable materials that are contaminated sould be placed in a
separate bag or autoclavable container for sterilization.
Close and secure bag, then place bag in second biohazard bag. Secure outer bag and
disinfect by autoclaving (steam sterilization).
SPILL RESPONSE AND CLEAN-UP PROCEDURES
INSIDE BIOSAFETY CABINET (BSC)
DO NOT TURN OFF THE BSC!
Have a complete biological spill kit ready to go before you start the clean-up. Initiate clean-up
as soon as possible. Allow cabinet to operate during clean-up.
RESPONSE
REMAIN CALM!
Alert people in the immediate area of spill
Remove contaminated clothing
Identify the agent’s specific hazards
SPILL CLEAN-UP ROUTINE PROCEDURES
Use tongs/forceps to pick up sharp objects (broken glass, etc.) that may puncture gloves.
Starting at the perimeter and working toward the center of the spill, cover the spill with
paper towels or other absorbent material.
Carefully pour disinfectant over the absorbent material and spill starting around the edges
and working toward the center. Saturate the area with the disinfectant.
Allow sufficient contact time typically 15-20 minutes and double the contact time for
body fluids or viscous substances.
Wipe up spill with a squeegee and/or paper towels, working from edge to center.
Re-disinfect the spill area with fresh paper towels soaked in appropriate disinfectant.
Wipe down all reachable cabinet surfaces with disinfectant.
Place disposable contaminated materials into a biohazard bag and autoclave.
Place contaminated reusable items in biohazard bags or heat resistant pans or containers
with lids before autoclaving and further clean-up.
Expose non-autoclavable materials to disinfectant, 20 minutes contact time, before
removing them from the BSC.
Remove protective clothing used during clean-up and place in biohazard bag for
autoclaving.
The cabinet should be run 15 minutes after clean-up before resuming work or turning off
the cabinet.
Inform all users of the BSC as well as the laboratory supervisor/principal investigator
about the spill and successful clean-up as soon as possible.
Notes: Medical evaluation, surveillance, and treatment are provided as appropriate, and written records are
maintained.
