Skip to Main Content

Biological Spill

Biological Exposure: Spills, splashes and wounds

  1. Remove any PPE that may have been exposed to infectious materials, taking care to avoid contact of unexposed PPE areas to infectious agents or contaminated PPE.
  2. To prevent the spread of contamination or further exposure, inform others in the area of any loss of containment of infectious agents. To locate and prevent spread, cover any spills with absorbent material, pour disinfectant on absorbent and wait required contact time.
  3. Immediately wash the affected skin/cut/puncture with soap and water. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the exposed membrane with the eyewash continuously for 15 minutes.
  4. If the exposure is from a needlestick or sharp, locate a first aid kit and apply pressure with clean gauze to control bleeding.
  5. Please sharp or needle and syringe in biohazard sharps container or puncture-proof container.
  6. After washing exposed area, immediately proceed to receive medical evaluation and treatment. Take the clinicians section of the post exposure plan (PEP) template document with you!
  7. After medical care, ensure the incident is immediately reported to the Biosafety Hotline, 310-825-9797, option 3, within 8 hrs.   

During regular work hours, report to: 
UCLA Occupational Health

After hours, weekends and holidays, report to: 
Ronald Reagan UCLA Emergency Room

Biological spill without exposure

  1. Alert others in the space that a spill occurred.
  2. Check self for contamination and change PPE if necessary.
  3. Don new appropriate PPE to proceed with cleanup.
  4. Pick up broken glass/sharps with tongs/forceps or broom and dustpan and dispose as biohazardous sharps.
  5. Place absorbent material on and around spill.
  6. Pour disinfectant on absorbent and wait required contact time.
  7. Dispose of absorbent materials as biohazardous waste.
  8. Remove PPE and wash hands with soap and water.
  9. Inform your principal investigator (PI).