Biohazardous Emergencies

Exposures

In the event that you have an exposure to biological/infectious material, do the following IMMEDIATELY:

  • Ocular (Eye) Exposure
    • Hold eyelids open and wash both eyes at your nearest eyewash station for 15 Minutes
  • Full Body Exposure
    • Remove contaminated clothing and wash entire body at your nearest safety shower for 15 Minutes
  • Needlestick Injury / Hand or Arm Exposure
    • Wash area of exposure with soap and warm water while rubbing at the site of exposure for 15 Minutes

While you are washing or after you finish washing, call Employee Health (305-243-3400) so that EHS personnel can assist in emergency response and provide guidance on next steps.

 Spills

Biological spills are classified based on whether they’re major or minor, and whether they’re in a biosafety cabinet or outside of one in the lab.  A biosafety cabinet (BSC) makes spill cleanup easier, as the BSC works to contain aerosols that were generated during the spill.  A biohazard spill is either major or minor based on:

  • Major Spill: A spill event that requires EHS emergency response assistance to be handled safely.
  • Minor Spill: A spill event that can be handled safely without EHS emergency response assistance.

 

Major Spills Inside the Biosafety Cabinet

  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 (305-243-3400).
  6. EHS to arrange clean-up.

 

Major Spills Outside the Biosafety Cabinet

  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 (305-243-3400).
  6. EHS to arrange clean-up.

 

Minor Spills Inside the Biosafety Cabinet

  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 Spills Outside the Biosafety Cabinet

  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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