Decontamination and Clean-Up of Blood (Biohazard) Spills
(Non-Laboratory Personnel)

Policies and Procedures

Responsible Persons: Owner of Hazardous Material, Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) Department, Facilities Services, USP Public Safety
Policy: No one is to clean up a spill until they have had the Bloodborne Pathogens training and have been offered the Hepatitis B vaccine.
  If the spill is in a special use area, e.g., laboratory or storage area for chemicals or biohazardous materials, the person directly responsible for that area should clean up the spill.
  If a blood/body fluid spill is in a general use area, e.g., bathroom, hallway, residence hall or outside, the Facilities Services personnel are responsible for cleaning up the spill.
   
Procedure: USP Public Safety
 
  • Secure area to prevent anyone from walking near or through the spill.
 
  • Notify Custodial Manager or Grounds Fleet Manager.
 
  • If the spill is large, and Facilities Services in unsure how to handle it, notify the Environmental Health and Safety Officer at X8925, X8843 or X3141. Otherwise, send a copy of an Incident Report to the Environmental Health and Radiation Safety Department.
  Custodians/Grounds
 
  • Secure area to prevent anyone from walking near or through the spill.
 
  • Obtain clean-up supplies and personal protective equipment. e.g., pre-soaked wipes, diluted bleach (1:10 or 1:100 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, tyvek suit with booties and hood.

 
  • Don Personal Protective Equipment (Double glove)
 
  • If using bleach, dilute Bleach (1:10 or 1:100 mixed daily)
 
  • Cover the spill with paper towels, and add the diluted bleach
 
  • Let stand for approximately 15 minutes
 
  • Wipe up with paper towels, etc. (Work from the outside of the spill, and move in, using a circular motion.) If it is a large spill, be sure you are well protected from splashing.
 
  • Pre-soaked wipes may be used for smaller spills
 
  • Put all contaminated materials into red biohazard bags
 

- remove outer gloves (insert gloves into bag)
 
  • Seal securely with tape
 
  • Take bag to the Griffith Hall Central Stockroom or STC Stockroom for disposal
 
  • Dispose of final gloves into the regular trash
 
  • Wash hands

While cleaning, if you notice blood on your gloves, change them.

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