Basic procedures for action in case of biological emergencies

Knowing how to act in the face of accidents in order to avoid or minimise the damage associated with them is essential. A bad practice in case of accident can make the situation worse and more serious.

Remember that, depending on the seriousness of the accident, the procedure in the event of an accident sets the guidelines for action and that medical assistance should always be sought in the event of any doubt.

The following is a general description of the basic procedures for action in the event of a biological emergency.

Technique handling a syringe with gloves

Index:

In case of percutaneous accident (inoculation, puncture, cut, etc.)

  • Remove the object with which the accident occurred.
  • Encourage the wound to bleed for 3-5 minutes even placing the affected part under the water jet.
  • Immediately wash the wound with water and neutral soap for 3-5 minutes. This action will facilitate the elimination of any contaminated fluid that may have remained on the skin.
  • Disinfect the wound with Cristalmina, povidone iodine or another effective disinfectant.
  • Cover the wound, if necessary, with a waterproof dressing.
  • Immediately notify the person in charge of the laboratory, unit or department of your accident and contact the UB medical service.
  • Identify the source of biological exposure. This is important in order to determine whether there is a likelihood of possible subsequent infection. If you are in doubt as to whether the fountain is pathogenic or not, try to obtain a sample of blood, water, etc. in order to determine whether there is a possibility of contagion or any type of illness.
  • Follow the recommendations given by the health staff. If post-exposure prophylaxis is necessary, be sure to follow all instructions.

Accidental ingestion of possibly biohazardous material

  • Rinse mouth by rinsing with water and spitting out for 3-5 minutes. This can help to eliminate any residue of the biological substance found in the mouth or throat.
  • Immediately notify the person in charge of the laboratory, unit or department of your accident and contact the UB medical service.
  • You must inform the medical staff about the biological substance you have ingested so that they can take appropriate measures.

In case of splashes of blood or fluids to the skin or mucous membranes

  • First, assess the situation to determine the severity of the exposure. If the splash has been on clothes, skin or eyes, the action is different depending on the case.
  • Remove contaminated clothing and store it in an autoclave bag.
  • Wash the affected area of the skin vigorously with plenty of water and neutral soap for 3-5 minutes. If the integrity of the skin is affected, act as if it were a percutaneous accident.
  • In case of splashes to the eyes or mucous membranes, rinse with plenty of water in the eye wash fountain for at least 5 minutes.
  • Immediately notify the person in charge of the laboratory, unit or department of your accident and contact the UB medical service.

Caution: Do not use bleach or environmental disinfectants on the skin or mucous membranes in any exposure, as they are not authorised for use as disinfectants on people or animals. Do not use diluted disinfectants, either, as they can cause irritation. Only use disinfectants authorised for use in personal hygiene, clearly indicated on the label.

In case of spillage onto surfaces or objects

Beforehand, you must know the location of the absorbent paper, the disinfectant solution and the 70% ethanol that you must have in each laboratory and unit, as well as the nearest spill kit.

In the face of a biohazardous spill:

  • Immediately inform the person in charge of the laboratory and follow their instructions at all times.
  • Identify and assess the initial damage of the spilled product.
  • Use personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate to the situation (protective gloves and goggles, mask FFP2/ FFP3, etc.). If you don’t have it, you will find it in the spill collection kit.
  • Cover the contaminated surface with absorbent paper soaked in disinfectant –Virkon (1%) or leach (10%)-, leaving it to act for 10-20 minutes.
  • Remove the paper and remove the excess liquid with single-use absorbent paper.
  • If you have glass material in the spill area, pick it up with tweezers or a dustpan and brush.
  • If the spillage requires it (depending on the perilousness of the biological agent and the volume of the spillage), go over the affected surface with paper dampened with the disinfectant.
  • All materials that come into contact with the biological agent and the material that has been used for collection (absorbent paper, gloves, etc.) will be treated as contaminated solid waste and disposed of in the biohazardous waste containers.
  • Clean afterwards with water and soap, 70% ethanol and dry with single-use paper.
  • Place the cleaning utensils and reusable material in an autoclave sterilisation container.
  • If laboratory forms or other handwritten or printed papers are contaminated, copy the information onto other forms and throw the original in a container for contaminated waste.
  • In case of uncontrolled spillage (dangerous or large) or when there are doubts, it is better to leave the cleaning in the hands of qualified personnel. Evacuate staff from the affected area, leave the laboratory, close the door by placing an information sign and start the emergency procedure by calling the emergency telephone number of the faculty/building (Control, Alarm and Communication Centre, usually at the Information Point).

In case of spillage on equipment or installations

In the event of a biohazardous spillage in a biological safety cabinet (BSC)

  • Without stopping the cabin and under safety conditions (cabin in motion, guillotine in the position recommended by the manufacturer, protective gown and gloves, and assessing the use of a mask depending on the danger), disinfect the contaminated work area by covering the affected area with absorbent paper dusted with disinfectant —Virkon (1%)- for a minimum of 10 minutes.
  • If you have broken glass material, grab it with tweezers or with a dustpan and brush.
  • Remove the paper and remove the excess liquid with single-use absorbent paper.
  • If the spillage requires it (depending on the perilousness of the biological agent and the volume of the spillage), go over the affected surface with paper dampened with the disinfectant.
  • All materials that come into contact with the biological agent and the material that has been used for collection (absorbent paper, gloves, etc.) will be treated as contaminated solid waste and disposed of in the biohazardous waste containers.
  • Place reusable contaminated material in a suitable bag/container and sterilise in an autoclave.
  • Clean afterwards with water and soap, 70% ethanol and dry with single-use paper.
  • Subsequently, disinfect the CSB with 70% ethanol.
  • Leave the CSB in operation for at least 10 minutes more after cleaning and disinfection.
  • Depending on the perilousness of the biological agent and the volume of the spillage, a general decontamination of the equipment, including the filters, will be carried out by specialised technical personnel, at the discretion of the person in charge of the area.

In case of spillage from centrifuges, heaters, etc.

  • In the case of centrifuges, interrupt centrifugation without opening the equipment until 30 minutes have elapsed.
  • If the spillage is discovered with the centrifuge stopped and open, close it anyway and wait 30 minutes.
  • The same action will be taken with all contaminated equipment, closing them and waiting for 30 minutes.
  • Immediately inform the person in charge of the laboratory and follow their instructions at all times in case of doubt or depending on the dangerousness of the biological agent and the volume of the spill.
  • If you decide to evacuate, warn the rest of the staff so that they do not enter the laboratory, also place an information sign at the door, and start the emergency procedure by calling the emergency telephone number of the faculty/building (Control, Alarm and Communication Centre, usually the Information Point).
  • In controlled spills, wear protective gloves and mask FFP2/FFP3 before gently opening the equipment.
  • Collect with tweezers the pieces of glass and the contaminated solid material, and submerge the rotor, the affected parts and the reusable material in non-corrosive disinfectant in a container in the running CSB.

Important: It is highly recommended that all laboratories and other research facilities have a spill kit.
Currently, a kit is available at all waste stores. Find out if your centre has more units and find out where they are located.
You can consult the material contained in the kit in this document: Spill kit.

Basic procedures for action in case of technical emergencies

In the event of accidental dissemination of biological agents in the work environment due to power cuts, inadequate functioning of equipment or installations, fire or intrusion/vandalism:

  • Notify the person who is directly responsible for the space, and contact the Technical Logistics Unit of the faculty/building to coordinate subsequent maintenance or security actions.
  • In the event of a serious emergency or outside normal working hours, please contact the emergency telephone number of the faculty/building (Control, Alarm, and Communication Centre, usually at the Information Point).

You can access the maintenance form if you need to complete one.

Remember that, regardless of the seriousness of the accident, you must always fill in the Accident Notification and send it to the CBSUB!

Always follow laboratory safety protocols and do not try to act in dangerous situations if you are incapable of doing so. If you have any questions, please consult the person directly responsible for the laboratory, unit or department.

Please also remember that all staff at the University of Barcelona can report any risk or unsafe act detected while working with biological agents.
Fill in the risk communication and send it to the CBSUB or contact the CBSUB by e-mail: cbsub@ub.edu.

Further information

Material of interest

OSSMA documents