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Biological Spill

Inside of Primary Containment (in the Biosafety Cabinet)

  • Stop work
  • Remove soiled PPE
  • Exit the BSC
  • Wait 3 minutes for aerosols to settle
  • Don fresh PPE and gather the Biological Spill Kit
  • Cover the spill with paper towels
  • Pour 5000 ppm of NaClO (bleach) solution on the spill (start from the outer bounds and move inward). Let sit for 30 minutes.
  • Collect the saturated paper towels as biohazardous waste. Wipe surface clean with fresh paper towels. 
  • Change gloves and spray 70% ethanol solution to prevent corrosion and wipe surface clean.
  • Remove PPE and wash hands.
  • Dispose of all items as biohazardous waste.
  • Notify Supervisor and report at: ehs.ufl.edu/report-to-ehs/report-incident/

Outside of Containment (in the Lab)

  • Stop work and alert co-workers
  • Remove PPE and exit the lab
  • Post a sign to prohibit lab entry
  • Wait 30 minutes for aerosols to settle
  • Don fresh PPE and gather the Biological Spill Kit.
  • Cover the spill with paper towels.
  • Pour 5000 ppm  of NaClO (bleach) solution on the spill (start from the outer bounds and move inward). Wait 30 minutes.
  • Collect saturated paper towels as biohazardous waste. Wipe surface clean with fresh paper towels.
  • Remove PPE and wash hands.
  • Dispose of all items as biohazardous waste.
  • Notify Supervisor and report at: ehs.ufl.edu/report-to-ehs/report-incident/

Inside a Centrifuge

  • Close centrifuge lid
  • Remove PPE and exit the lab
  • Post a sign to prohibit entry
  • Wait 30 minutes for aerosols to settle
  • Centrifuge basin:
    • Don fresh PPE and gather the Biological Spill Kit
    • Cover the spill with paper towels.
    • Pour 5000 ppm NaClO (bleach) solution on the spill (start from the outer bounds and move inward). Wait 30 minutes.
    • Wipe surface clean and collect materials as biohazardous waste
    • Remove PPE and wash hands.
    • Notify Supervisor and report at: ehs.ufl.edu/report-to-ehs/report-incident
  • Rotors/buckets/cups:
    • Don fresh PPE and gather the Biological Spill Kit.
    • Prepare 5000 ppm NaClO (bleach) bath in the biosafety cabinet (BSC).
    • Transfer contaminated item to the BSC.
    • Submerge in bleach bath for 30 minutes.
    • Discard bleach bath down the sink while running water. Any use wipes or paper towels must be discarded as biohazardous waste.
    • Remove PPE and wash hands
    • Notify Supervisor and report at: ehs.ufl.edu/report-to-ehs/report-incident/
Biological Spill Kit Components