Decontamination and Clean-Up of Blood/Body Fluid Spills
(Non-Laboratory Personnel)

Policies and Procedures

Responsible Persons: Owner of Hazardous Material, Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) Department, Facilities Services, Public Safety
Policy: No one is to clean up a blood/body fluid spill as part of their job until they have had the Bloodborne Pathogens training which must be updated annually, and have been offered the Hepatitis B vaccine.
  If the spill is a hazardous material in a special use area, e.g., laboratory or storage area for chemicals or biohazardous materials, the person directly responsible for that area should make sure that it is cleaned up properly.
  If the spill contains blood or body fluids from an injury anywhere on campus, the Facilities Services Department is responsible for cleaning up the spill. (Contact Facilities Services at X8955)
   
Procedure: Public Safety
 
  • Secure area to prevent anyone from walking near or through the spill. If an injured student is bleeding, keep him/her stationary.
 
  • Notify Facilities Services at X8955.
 
  • If the spill is large, and Facilities Services is unsure how to respond, notify the Environmental Health and Radiation Safety Dept. at X8925, X8843 or X3141.
 
  • When the emergency has ended, forward a copy of the Incident Report to the Environmental Health and Radiation Safety Department.
  Facilities Services
 
  • Warn others in the area and isolate the contaminated area. (Prevent others from walking through or near the spill.)
 
  • Obtain clean-up supplies and personal protective equipment. e.g., pre-soaked wipes, diluted bleach (1:10 or 1:100 mixed daily), or other appropriate EPA-registered disinfectants. (However, follow manufacturer's instructions for proper use). Gloves (surgical latex or vinyl disposable gloves are adequate), goggles or face shields (if possibility of splashing), red biohazard bags, strong tape to seal bags.

    If it is a large spill, or there is a possibility of splashing, use a tyvek suit with booties and hood. Make sure you are well protected from splashing.

 
  • Don Personal Protective Equipment (Double glove).
 
  • If necessary, remove glass or sharps with forceps, tongs or scoop and dispose of into a red biohazard sharps container.
 
  • If using bleach, dilute Bleach 1:10 or 1:100, mixed daily.
 
  • For a wet spill, cover with disinfectant-soaked absorbent towels, wipe, and remove toweling. (This decreases the likelihood of causing a splash.) Any visible blood or body fluid must be cleaned thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.
 
  • After this cleaning, surround and cover the area with additional diluted bleach or disinfectant. Let stand for approximately 5 - 10 minutes to help ensure bloodborne pathogens are killed.
 
  • Pre-soaked wipes may be used for smaller spills.
 
  • Wipe up and clean again with soap and water.
 
  • Properly dispose of clean-up materials into red biohazard waste bags/containers. Also, place glass, needles, rigid plastic or other sharps into red biohazard sharps containers. No items are allowed to stick out of any biohazard container. (e.g, mops, etc.) The containers must be kept closed.
 
  • Remove gloves, place in waste, but put on a new pair of gloves.
 
  • Bring the biohazard waste containers to the Griffith Hall or McNeil Science & Technology Center stockrooms for proper disposal. Ensure bags/containers are sealed securely.
 
  • Remove gloves, Throw in normal trash (if not contaminated).
 
  • Wash your hands.

While cleaning, if you notice blood on your gloves, take them off and wash your hands. Put new gloves on.

Notify the Environmental Health and Radiation Safety Department of the spill and clean-up.

If anyone is unsure of what personal protective equipment to use or how to clean a spill, talk to your supervisor or call the Environmental Health and Radiation Safety Department. (X8925, X8843 or X3141)

Emergency response information on biohazard spills in a laboratory.

Information on chemical spills.

Information on radioactive spills.

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia • 600 South Forty-third Street • Philadelphia, PA 19104-4495 • phone: 215-596-8800 • email: safety@usip.edu