Abbreviations:

BSC - Biological Safety Cabinet
PPE - Personal Protective Equipment

Spills

ASSUME ALL SPILLS ARE BIOHAZARDOUS. Each laboratory on campus will have a biohazard spill kit and the proper instructions as to its use. The kits shall be readily accessible and labeled for easy identification. The spill kit contents are listed below and shall be inspected with items subject to deterioration replaced as required. 

SPILL KIT CONTENTS

• Disposable Coverall Suit
• Nitrile Gloves
• Surgical Facemask
• Housekeeping Gloves (Vinyl Heavy-Duty)
• Kevlar© gloves and sleeve protectors
• Shoe Covers, (x2)
• 1:10 Dilution of Household Bleach, 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite, 'Chlorox'- dated and replaced as required
• Plastic Dust-Pan
• Large Sponges, (x2)
• Autoclave Bags, (x2)

Spills in Biosafety Cabinets

• STOP WORK IMMEDIATELY! ALWAYS ALERT OTHERS FIRST!

• The following PPE must be worn: laboratory coat, eye protection, two pairs of latex gloves or nitrile gloves, and one pair of housekeeping gloves.

• All surfaces and items shall be surface decontaminated before being removed from the BSC.

• Discard any item that may have become contaminated and cannot be autoclaved.

• If the spill results in puddles:

• Place the spill control pad over liquid to absorb and control the spread of liquid.
• Add 1:10 dilution of household bleach, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite ("Chlorox") or an appropriate disinfectant to soak the spill control pad and let it react for 15 minutes. If a drain system is involved, consult the BSC manufacturer's specific instructions regarding decontamination.
• Carefully remove pad, place into doubled autoclave bags.
• Decontaminate all exposed BSC surfaces with an appropriate disinfectant.
• After a spill is decontaminated, the area shall be thoroughly cleaned with mild detergent and dried, and decontaminated again with an appropriate disinfectant. Residual contaminants can support the growth and multiplication of microorganisms that can jeopardize experimental results. (Note: Be mindful of the effects bleach has on stainless steel and be ready to follow-up with a thorough ethanol wipe to avoid corrosion.)
• Dispose of clean-up materials appropriately

• Remove PPE and wash hands.

Spills in Incubators

• STOP WORK IMMEDIATELY! ALWAYS ALERT OTHERS FIRST!

• The following PPE must be worn: laboratory coat, eye protection, two pairs of latex gloves or nitrile gloves, and one pair of housekeeping gloves.

• All surfaces and items shall be surface decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant before being removed from the contaminated incubator and placed in another incubator.

• Decontaminate the water in the floor of the incubator with an appropriate disinfectant.

• Initiate an incubator sterilization cycle in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

• Remove PPE and wash hands

Spills in Centrifuges

• STOP WORK IMMEDIATELY! ALWAYS ALERT OTHERS FIRST!

• TURN CENTRIFUGE OFF

• Presume a contaminated aerosol has been generated.

• Inform all others in the area that an aerosol may have been generated. All persons shall evacuate the room immediately for at least 20 minutes.

• Notify the Principal Investigator and EHS by dialing 6-7055.

• Label the area off-limits for at least 30 minutes.

• The following PPE must be worn: laboratory coat, eye protection, two pairs of latex gloves or nitrile gloves, and one pair of housekeeping gloves. Depending on the material being centrifuged, a respirator may also be required. EHS will conduct a risk assessment in determining the level of response required.

• To decontaminate the centrifuge: 

• Place the spill control pad over any liquid puddle to absorb and control the spread of liquid.
• Add 1:10 dilution of household bleach, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite ("Chlorox") or an appropriate disinfectant to soak the spill control pad and let it react for 15 minutes.
• Carefully remove pad, place into doubled autoclave bags.
• Decontaminate all exposed centrifuge and environmental surfaces with an appropriate disinfectant.

• After a spill is decontaminated, the area shall be thoroughly cleaned with mild detergent and dried, and decontaminated again with an appropriate disinfectant.

• Remove rotor and place in a BSC. To decontaminate rotor, soak it in an appropriate disinfectant, followed by mild detergent, then water rinse and dry.

Spills Outside of BSC

• STOP WORK IMMEDIATELY! ALWAYS ALERT OTHERS FIRST!

• VACATE LABORATORY. Do not panic. Leave room immediately, do not take a breath until clear of the contaminated area, and close the door.

• Spills in the laboratory outside a BSC or other physical containment device must be immediately reported to the Principal Investigator and EHS (6-7055) and documented. Reported and documented spills are any spills that may contain the presence of potentially infectious materials or the possibility of splashes and generation of aerosols. If spill results in exposure, fill out Employee's First Report of Injury form and follow exposure procedures.

• Warn others not to enter the contaminated area. Post a temporary warning sign labeling the area as off-limits.

• Remove and put contaminated garments into an autoclave bag-lined container for autoclaving and thoroughly wash hands and face.

• Wait 20 minutes to allow dissipation of aerosols by the room ventilation air changes.

For a Major Spill Outside of BSC:

• Presume a contaminated aerosol has been generated. The incident should be treated as a potential exposure.
• Inform all others in the area that an aerosol may have been generated. All persons shall evacuate the room immediately. Post 'No Entry' sign.
• Contact EHS for assistance (6-7055 or after hours by dialing 911 and asking the police to notify the on-call EHS staff member.)
• Notify the Principal Investigator
• Remove contaminated clothing, turn exposed area inward, and put in the autoclave bag. Wash all exposed skin with disinfectant.
• Wait 20 minutes to allow dissipation of aerosols by the room ventilation changes.
• EHS will conduct a risk assessment of the space to determine appropriate PPE and clean-up procedures.

For a Minor Spill Outside of BSC:

• Leave room immediately, do not take a breath until clear of the contaminated area, and close the door.
• Leave the area for 20 minutes
• To decontaminate the area: a. Place the spill control pad over the spill.
  • Add a 1:10 dilution of household bleach or an appropriate disinfectant to soak the spill control pad and let it react for 20-30 minutes.
  • Carefully remove the pad, mop up the liquid, or soak it up with paper towels or disposable pads. Discard materials into an autoclave bag in an autoclave pan and autoclave.
  • Wipe the area clean with appropriate disinfectant.
• Remove PPE and wash hands

Employee Exposure

Human Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure

• For needlesticks, cuts, and scratches; immediately scrub and irrigate the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.

• For splashes to the eyes, nose, or mouth; irrigate the site immediately with rapidly following water for at least 15 minutes.

• Seek Medical Treatment:

• During Business Hours (Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM), proceed directly to University of Maryland Campus Health (UMCH, formerly University of Maryland Immediate Care UMIC) located at 408 W. Lombard Street. The UMCH telephone number is (667) 214-2233 (no appointment is necessary). 

• Complete "Employee's First Report of Injury" and take it with you to UMCH. Be sure a copy is sent to the Office of Risk Management as soon as possible after treatment (fax to 6-0954). This will ensure timely processing of claim and issuance of claim number and prescription authorization if appropriate.

Animal Bite/Scratch/Splash Exposure Incidents (Non-Monkey)

If an exposure (injection, absorption, or inhalation) of non-monkey animal tissues or fluids occurs do the following:

• For bites and scratches, immediately scrub and irrigate the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.

• For splashes to the eyes, nose or mouth, irrigate the site immediately with rapidly flowing water for at least 15 minutes.

• Seek Medical Treatment:

• During Business Hours (Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM): Proceed directly to University of Maryland Campus Health (UMCH, formerly UMIC) located at 408 W. Lombard Street. The UMCH telephone number is (667) 214-2233 (No appointment is necessary).
• After Hours (Monday through Friday 5 PM to 7 AM, and weekends): Seek medical care at the UMMC Emergency Room, your personal physician, or at any local hospital.

• Complete "Employee's First Report of Injury" and take it with you to UMCH. Be sure a copy is sent to the Office of Risk Management as soon as possible after treatment (fax to 6-0954). This will ensure timely processing of claim and issuance of claim number and prescription authorization if appropriate.

Bite/Scratch/Splash Exposure Incidents Involving Macaque Monkeys
(Prevention of B-Virus Infection)

• For bites and scratches, immediately scrub and irrigate the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.

• For splashes to the eyes, nose or mouth, irrigate the site immediately with rapidly flowing water for at least 15 minutes.

• During Working Hours (Monday through Friday 7 AM - 5 PM):

• Report the incident during normal working hours by calling the Veterinary Resources veterinarian immediately after cleansing the site at (410) 706-3540.
• Proceed directly to University of Maryland Campus Health (UMCH) located at 408 W. Lombard Street. The UMCH telephone number is (667) 214-2233 (No appointment is necessary). 

• After Hours (Monday through Friday 5 PM to 7 AM, and weekends):

• Call the Veterinary Resources emergency pager at (443) 835-9841
• Call the provider on duty at (667) 214-1886. If unable to call, seek medical care at the UMMC Emergency Room, your personal physician, or at any local hospital. Present your UMB B-Virus Medical Alert Card upon arrival.
• The following day or as soon as possible, proceed to University of Maryland Campus Health (UMCH) located at 408 W. Lombard Street for a follow-up visit.

• Complete "Employee's First Report of Injury" and take it with you to UMCH. Be sure a copy is sent to the Office of Risk Management as soon as possible after treatment (fax to 6-0954). This will ensure timely processing of claim and issuance of claim number and prescription authorization if appropriate. 

Fire or Emergency Evacuation Procedures

• Stop all work and cover or secure exposed materials.
• Exit the laboratory and building following normal exit procedures.
  • If you discovered signs of fire, smoke, or other hazardous conditions, activate the building fire alarm system using the nearest fire alarm pull station. Call 911 to provide additional information about the emergency.
• Do not re-enter the laboratory until advised by emergency responders that it is safe to do so.
• For more information, please visit: UMB Office of the Fire Marshal