Biosafety Level 3 Spills

Use the following guidelines below for response to spills of BL3 material outside of the biosafety cabinet or any other incident that may have generated an aerosol in the containment laboratory, such as failure of physical containment devices during centrifugation.

IMMEDIATE ACTION:

• Hold breath and leave room immediately; notify others in the room to evacuate immediately.
• Remove personal protective equipment (PPE) in the airlock or access zone; turn potentially contaminated clothing inward; remove gloves last, and wash any exposed skin areas with antiseptic soap and warm water.

In the event of an exposure incident:

• needlesticks/puncture wounds: wash the affected area with disinfectant, antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. Squeeze around the area to encourage the flow of blood out of wound.
• mucous membrane exposure: Use an eyewash for 15 minutes to flush the affected area.
• Post a BIOHAZARD SPILL SIGN at entry to BL3 lab door.
• Notify your Principal Investigator and EHS
• Do not reenter laboratory until it has been cleared for reentry by the P.I. or EHS.
• Contact Employee Health at 432-7978 or YUHS Urgent Care at 432-0123 for medical advice and evaluation.

In general a period of at least 30 minutes should be allowed before clean-up is attempted, but the time is contingent upon the supply and exhaust features of the lab.