LABORATORY SAFETY MANUAL

Site Map of Manual

Lab Safety Manual
1st Page

Chapter 1
Emergency Response

Chapter 2
General Safety

Chapter 3
Chemical Hygiene Plan

Chapter 4
Radiological Safety

Chapter 5
Biological Hygiene Plan

Chapter 6
Laser Safety

Chapter 7
Administrative Concerns

Chapter 8
Standard & Special Operating Procedures

Chapter 9
Facility Data

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Appendicies

Bibliography

Glossary

Index

On-Campus Contact Information

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1st Rule of Lab Safety

Haz-Waste No-No

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Updated December 1999

Emergency Response
Section 1.3 - Biohazard Spills

OSU procedures and guidelines are currently being reviewed by the Institutional Review Board.

A. Biological Spills

Biological spills outside biological safety cabinets will generate aerosols that can be dispersed in the air throughout the laboratory. These spills can be very serious if they involve microorganisms that require Biosafety Level 3 containment, since most of these agents have the potential for transmitting disease by infectious aerosols. To reduce the risk of inhalation exposure in such an accident, occupants should leave the laboratory immediately. The laboratory should not be reentered to decontaminate or clean up the spill for at least 30 minutes. During this time the aerosol may be removed from the laboratory via the exhaust ventilation systems, such as biological safety cabinets or chemical fume hoods, if present.

1. Spills on the Body
   • Remove contaminated clothing.
   • Vigorously wash exposed area with soap and water for one minute.
   • Obtain medical attention (if necessary).

   • Report the incident to the laboratory supervisor.

2. Biosafety Level 1 Organism Spill
   • Wear disposable gloves.
   • Soak paper towels in disinfectant and place over sill.
   • Place towels in a plastic bag for disposal.

   • Clean up spill area with fresh towels soaked in disinfectant.

3. Biosafety Level 2 Organism Spill
   • Alert people in immediate area of spill.
   • Put on protective equipment. This may include a laboratory coat with long sleeves, back-fastening gown or jumpsuit, disposable gloves, disposable shoe covers, safety goggles, mask or full-face shield.
   • Cover spill with paper towels or other absorbent materials.
   • Carefully pour a freshly prepared 1 to 10 dilution of household bleach around the edges of the spill and then into the spill. Avoid splashing.
   • Allow a 20-minute contact period.
   • After the spill has been absorbed, clean up the spill area with fresh towels soaked in disinfectant.

   • Place towels in a plastic bag and decontaminate in an autoclave.

4. Biosafety Level 3 Organism Spill
   • Attend to injured or contaminated persons and remove them from exposure.
   • Alert people in the laboratory to evacuate.
   • Close doors to affected area.
   • Call 911 for campus emergency response.

   • Have a person knowledgeable of the incident and laboratory assist emergency personnel when they arrive.

B. Blood Spills

1. General Information
   • Universal precautions must be observed. Refer to the Campus Blood Borne Pathogens Plan or Departmental Exposure Control Plan for more information. Cleaning of blood spills should be limited to those persons who are trained for the task.
   • If an untrained person encounters a spill, he/she should limit access to the area and immediately call the person(s) assigned to this duty.
   • Only disposable towels should be used to avoid the difficulties involved in laundering.

   • If a spill involves broken glassware, the glass should never be picked up directly with the hands. It must be cleaned up using mechanical means, such as a brush and dustpan, tongs, or forceps.

2. Personal Protective Equipment
   • Persons who clean blood spills should wear disposable gloves of sufficient strength so they will not tear during cleaning activities. If the gloves develop holes, tears, or splits, remove them, wash hands immediately, and put on fresh gloves. Disposable gloves must never be washed or reused. Remove gloves one at a time by grasping the wrist opening and pulling toward the fingers so that the gloves come off as inside out. Double-bag gloves with other contaminated biomedical waste (such as towels).

   • If enough blood has been spilled to expect splashing during cleaning, call EHS at 744-7241. Additional protective equipment may be required. EHS can provide a face-shield and other protective clothing that your staff can use if splashing is expected.

3. Disinfectants
   
   Read and follow all manufacturer's handling instructions. All spills of blood and blood-contaminated fluids should be properly cleaned using any of these three disinfectants:
   • EPA-registered "hospital disinfectant" chemical germicides that have a label claim for tuberculocidal activity. These are chemical germicides that are approved for use as hospital disinfectants and are tuberculocidal when used at recommended dilutions.
   • Products registered by the Environmental Protection Agency as being effective against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

   • A solution of 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) diluted between 1:10 and 1:100 with water (a 1:100 dilution of common household bleach yields 500 parts per million free available chlorine - approximately cup of bleach per gallon of tap water).

4. Cleaning Blood Spills on Hard Surfaces
   
   To assure the effectiveness of any sterilization or disinfection process, surfaces must first be thoroughly cleaned of all visible blood or soil before a germicidal chemical is applied for disinfection.
   • Isolate the area, if possible.
   • Wear gloves and other protective apparel as needed.
   • Remove visible blood with disposable towels in a manner that will ensure against direct contact with the blood. For example, put towels over the spill to absorb the liquid.
   • Place contaminated towels in a plastic waste disposal bag.
   • The area should then be decontaminated with an appropriate germicide applied according to manufacturer's directions.

   • All contaminated towels and gloves should be double-bagged for disposal and labeled with the biohazard symbol.

5. Cleaning Blood Spills on Carpeting
   
   Use only a registered germicide. Read and follow manufacturer's instructions. Do not use chlorine bleach solution on carpet.
   • Isolate the area--if possible.
   • Wear gloves and other appropriate apparel.

   • Procedures for small spills on carpets (smaller than a quarter) are as follows.

     1. Soak the spill with enough disinfectant to cover the spot.
     2. Let dry at least overnight to ensure that the spot is disinfected.

     3. Shampoo carpet, if needed, or use 3% hydrogen peroxide to remove discoloration.

   • Procedures for larger spills are as follows.

     1. Pour disinfectant on the spot and let stand at least 30 minutes to allow some disinfection to take place. Blot up excess liquid with disposable towels.

     2. Soak the area with additional disinfectant. Allow to dry overnight. Shampoo carpet, if needed, or use 3% hydrogen peroxide to remove discoloration.

   • All contaminated towels and gloves should be double-bagged and labeled with the biohazard symbol.