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Spill Procedures

Laboratory Safety

General chemical spill cleanup guidance:

Small Spills (ex. a "bench top" spill under 1L)

  • Don personal protective equipment (PPE), including eyewear and gloves
  • Pickup any broken glass and place in a puncture resistant container for hazardous waste disposal. Use mechanical means such as forceps to pick up the glass.
  • Using the laboratory spill kit, place absorbent over the spill and give it time to absorb as much of the spill as possible. Place contaminated absorbent in a hazardous waste container.
  • Wash the affected area with a soap solution and place that additional material in the same hazardous waste container as the absorbent and broken glass.
  • Remove gloves and place in the waste container. Seal container, and label as hazardous waste.
  • Remove any additional PPE and wash your hands. NOTE: Any contaminated clothing or PPE may not be taken home nor laundered without additional precautions. Contact EHS (831)582-4630. for guidance.

Large spills (greater than a "bench top spill" > 1L)

  • Notify others in the area.
  • Cover spill if possible to keep fumes down.
  • Block drains and/ or dike the area around the spill if you can do so safely
  • Evacuate the area, closing the laboratory doors. Post a sign saying "DO NOT ENTER- CHEMICAL SPILL".
  • Call EHS (831)582-4630.

Spills that are  of unknown material, immediately dangerous  life or health, or significant risk of fire

  • For quick guidance please refer to CSUMB's Emergency Response Guide
  • Notify others in area
  • Block drains or dike the area around the spill if you can do so safely
  • Evacuate area closing doors, contact 911 IMMEDIATELY, activating a fire alarm station, or both.
  • Be available to provide information to emergency responders.

Biological Spill Procedures

Most spills can be effectively handled by laboratory staff and faculty. Supplies to properly clean a spill must be available in any lab that works or stores bio-hazardous materials.

Recommended supplies

  • An appropriate disinfectant which works against the agents of concern (ex. microorganisms or human-derived materials). For cleanup of larger spills, alcohol is NOT recommended due to flammability concerns.
  • Personal protective equipment including a laboratory coat/gown, and gloves. Additional PPE may be required.
  • Sharps container for collection of broken glass
  • Tongs or forceps to pick up broken glass
  • Autoclave bags.

Spill protocol

Administer first aid and seek medical attention.

Small spills

Wipe up with disinfectant-soaked paper towel and clean the surface with a suitable disinfectant.

Spills not inside of a containment device

If the spill is not inside a Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) or any other lab equipment.

  • If the spill involves an aerosol, instruct everyone in laboratory to leave room for 30 minutes to allow aerosols to settle. Place a sign on the door warning staff not to enter room due to a spill.
  • Remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed skin.
  • Put on clean gloves and lab coat.
  • Prepare a 1:10 dilution of chlorine bleach or other approved disinfectant to saturate the contaminated area.
  • Contain the spill with paper towels or other absorbent material.
  • Flood the spill with disinfectant, leave for 10 minutes.
  • Work the absorbent into the spill's center. Add more if needed.
  • If glass is present, use tongs or forceps and a dustpan to remove piece and place into a puncture resistant sharps container.
  • Discard absorbent in a bio-hazardous waste container.
  • Using clean paper towels and disinfectant, wipe all surfaces that may have come in contact with the spilled material again. Discard into biohazard waste container.
  • Discard gloves into biohazard container.
  • Wash hands thoroughly.
  • Notify supervisor.

Spills inside a biological safety cabinet (BSC)

  • Leave Cabinet on.
  • Put on gloves and lab coat, and gather paper towels for cleaning.
  • Prepare a fresh dilution of 1:10 chlorine bleach or approved disinfectant. Prepare enough solution to cover the entire contaminated area. Do not use ethanol.
  • Flood the area with disinfectant and allow to remain in contact for required time. In the case of a 1:10 bleach solution, it requires 10 minutes of contact time.
  • Spray and/or wipe down the cabinet's interior and any items inside the BSC with a paper towel dampened with disinfectant.
  • If the cabinet has a catch basin under the work surface, and the spill resulted in liquids flowing into this area, additional decontamination is required.

Spills inside a centrifuge

Spills inside a centrifuge pose a serious potential for exposure due to aerosols.

Contact EHS (X4630) for advice on personal protective equipment for spills.