If you splash hazardous materials during the spill, immediately remove all contaminated clothing and dispose of them in a biohazardous waste container or autoclave them.
Click to enlarge
Stage No. 2
Inform those in close proximity to the spill to leave the area. Keep people out of the area, while waiting 30 min for the aerosols to settle.
Stage No. 3
Prepare to clean up the spill by assembling absorbent materials such as vermiculite, paper towels, rags etc. and donning your personal protective equipment.
Click to enlarge
Stage No. 4
For a large spill, you will need eyes, nose and mouth protection, a lab coat, two pairs of gloves and disposable shoe covers.
Click to enlarge
Stage No. 5
When ready, approach the spill cautiously, placing paper towels or other absorbent materials on the spill, using tongs, a dust pan or pieces of cardboard. Pick up the sharps and dispose of them in a sharps container. Never use your hands to pick up the sharps. Set aside any contaminated equipment for later decontamination.
Click to enlarge
Stage No. 6
Next, pour disinfectant (0.5%) a 1:10 dilution of freshly prepared bleach solution, first around the edges and then in the middle of the spill.
Click to enlarge
Stage No. 7
The disinfectant must remain in contact with the spill materials for at least 20 min.
While waiting for the disinfectant to take effect, use paper towel soaked with disinfectant to clean any visible contamination found around the edges of the spill. Always use tongs, in cases where sharps are encountered.
Stage No. 8
After 20 min, gather and dispose of the disinfected, soaked, absorbent material in a chemical hazard waste container/bag (or sharps container).
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stage No. 9
Absorb any residual disinfectant with paper towels and dispose of them, after wiping the area, to remove any visible contamination.
Click to enlarge
Stage No. 10
Once the area has been cleaned of all visible contamination, spray the area with disinfectant and wipe with a paper towel.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stage No. 11
For surfaces that might be sensitive to bleach, spray water over the area and wipe with a paper towel (to remove any bleach residue).
Click to enlarge
Stage No. 12
When finished, carefully remove your personal protective equipment, by removing your shoe covers first, followed by your outer gloves, lab coat, inner gloves and face protection. You should wash your hands after removing your personal protective equipment. Inform others that they can return to work.
