Biohazard Spill Kit Procedure
Laboratories that work with biohazardous materials should prepare and maintain a
biohazard spill kit that is located conveniently in the lab. These kits are essential in
BSL-2 facilities or where work is done with high concentrations or large volumes of
biological materials. Each PI is responsible for obtaining the materials necessary for
the kit.
The biohazard spill kit should include:
 Nitrile or latex gloves
 Lab coat or disposable gown
 Eye and face protection
 Disposable booties/shoe covers are recommended to protect personal shoes
from contamination
 Absorbent material (i.e. paper towels)
 Disinfectant concentrated household bleach (or other disinfectant
appropriate for agents used) – remember to check expiration date and
restock this supply before it expires
 Spray bottle or container to mix the disinfectant
 Mechanical device for removing sharps from the spill (i.e. forceps, tongs,
dustpan/brush)
 Biohazard bag for collecting contaminated materials during the cleanup. If a
red biohazard bag is used, it must be sent out for incineration.
 “Biohazard Spill – Do Not Enter” sign to post at entrance of lab.
 Copy of biological spill cleanup procedure (see below).
Contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at ehs@neu.edu or
617.373.2769 with any questions.
BIOHAZARD SPILL
DO NOT ENTER
Date: _______________
Time: _______________
Contact: ______________________
Biohazard Spill Clean-up Procedures
In the event of a biohazardous spill in any of the following scenarios, be sure to:
 Notify others in the area to prevent contamination and exposure of
additional personnel.
 Remove contaminated clothing, place in a biohazard bag and wash exposed
skin with soap and water.
 Inform principal investigator and supervisor. Ask for help immediately if
needed.
 Always use physical means (e.g. forceps, tongs, etc.) to pick up sharp objects
and place in sharps container for disposal.
 Carefully remove personal protective equipment (PPE) so that you do not
contaminate yourself and place gloves in biohazard bag or autoclave bag for
disposal or treatment.
 Decontaminate reusable equipment (e.g. eye protection and lab coat) if it was
contaminated in the cleanup process.
 Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after removal of gloves
upon completion of cleanup.
 Call the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) at 373.2769 if the
spill is large and assistance is needed.
The following procedures are provided as a guideline to biohazardous spill cleanup.
1. Inside a biological safety cabinet:
 Wear lab coat, safety glasses and gloves during cleanup.
 Allow cabinet to run during cleanup.
 Cover spill with absorbent material (e.g. paper towel) and carefully
apply appropriate disinfectant. Allow a minimum of 20 minutes
contact time.
 If the catch basin below the work surface has become contaminated,
close the drain valve and flood the drain pan with disinfectant. Allow
20 minutes for contact time, and then empty the drain pan into a
container with disinfectant.
 Wipe the walls, work surface and any equipment in the cabinet with a
disinfectant soaked disposable absorbent towel. Do not put your
head into the cabinet.
 Discard contaminated disposable material (including absorbents) in
appropriate biohazardous waste container(s) for treatment
(autoclave) or disposal (as biowaste).
 Place contaminated reusable items in clear autoclave bag or
autoclavable pans with lid before autoclaving and cleanup.
 Expose non-autoclavable materials to disinfectant and allow 20
minute contact time before removal from biological safety cabinet.
 Remove protective clothing used during cleanup and place in a
biohazard bag for autoclaving.

Run cabinet for 10 minutes after cleanup before resuming work or
turning off cabinet.
2. In the lab, outside the biological safety cabinet:
 Clear area of all personnel and post sign on door to alert others that
there is a spill and to keep out.
 Wait 30 minutes for aerosols to settle before entering spill area.
 Remove any contaminated clothing and place in a clear autoclave bag
to be autoclaved. Remember that the clear bag must be contained in a
red container with the biohazard symbol on it.
 Wear a disposable gown, safety glasses and gloves during the cleanup.
 Initiate cleanup with disinfectant as follows:
o Place paper towels on the spill and carefully soak with
disinfectant.
o Encircle the spill with additional disinfectant being careful to
minimize aerosolization while assuring adequate contact.
o Decontaminate all items within the spill area.
o Allow 20 minutes contact time to ensure germicidal action of
disinfectant.
o Wipe equipment with 1:10 bleach solution made fresh,
followed by water, then 70% ethanol.
o Place disposable contaminated spill material in appropriate
biohazardous waste container(s) for autoclaving.
o Place contaminated reusable items in clear autoclave bag or
autoclavable pans with lid before autoclaving and cleanup.
3. Inside centrifuge:
 Clear area of all personnel and post sign on door to alert others that
there is a spill and to keep out.
 Wait 30 minutes for aerosols to settle before entering spill area.
 Wear a lab coat, safety glasses and gloves during cleanup.
 Remove rotor and buckets and transfer to nearest biological safety
cabinet for cleanup.
 Thoroughly disinfect the inside of the centrifuge.
 Remove contaminated debris after disinfection, place in appropriate
biohazard waste container(s) and autoclave before disposal.
4. Outside lab, during transport:
 Transport biohazardous materials in an unbreakable, well-sealed
primary container placed inside of a second unbreakable lidded
container labeled with the biohazard symbol (cooler, plastic pan or
pail).
 Should a spill occur in a public area, do not attempt to clean it up
without appropriate personal protective equipment.


As an interim measure, wear gloves and place paper towels,
preferably soaked in disinfectant directly on spilled materials to
prevent spread of contamination. To assure adequate contact,
surround the spill with disinfectant, if available, taking care to
minimize aerosols.
Call OEHS at 373.2769 to assist in cleanup.
5. Human blood and body fluids
 Don lab coat, eye protection and gloves.
 Collect any sharp objects using forceps or another mechanical device
and place in sharps container for disposal.
 Place absorbent material (e.g. paper towels) on spill to contain it and
carefully place used material into red biohazard bag.
 Gently apply disinfectant soaked absorbent material on contaminated
area.
 Leave the disinfectant on the contaminated area for 20 minutes.
 After the 20 minute contact time, wipe the area down with
disinfectant soaked paper towels.
 All disposable materials used to clean up and decontaminate the spill
and contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) must be
placed in a red biohazard bag for disposal.
 Carefully remove PPE and wash your hands with soap and water.