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Contact:
Environmental Health
  and Safety
714 W. Lombard Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-706-7055
Fax 410-706-8212

BIOLOGICAL INCIDENT AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

A. Spills

STOP WORK IMMEDIATELY!    
ALWAYS ALERT OTHERS FIRST!

Each laboratory on campus will have a biohazard spill kit and the proper instructions as to its use.  The kits shall be readily accessible and labeled for easy identification.  The spill kit contents are listed below and shall be inspected with items subject to deterioration replaced as required.

SPILL KIT CONTENTS
disposable coverall suit.
nitrile gloves
surgical facemask
housekeeping gloves (vinyl heavy-duty)
Kevlar® gloves and sleeve protectors
shoe covers, (2)
1:10 dilution of household bleach, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, “chlorox”- dated and replaced as required
plastic dust pan
large sponges, (2)
autoclave bags, (2)

1. Spills in Biosafety Cabinets

STOP WORK IMMEDIATELY!
ALWAYS ALERT OTHERS FIRST!

• The following PPE must be worn: laboratory coat, eye protection, one-two pairs of latex gloves, and one pair of housekeeping gloves.
• All surfaces and items shall be surface decontaminated before being removed from the BSC.
• Discard any item that may have become contaminated and cannot be autoclaved.
• If the spill results in puddles:
  
  
  1. Place the spill control pad over liquid to absorb and control the spread of liquid.
  2. Add 1:10 dilution of household bleach, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (“chlorox”) or an appropriate disinfectant to soak the spill control pad and let it react for 15 minutes. If a drain system is involved, consult the BSC manufacturer’s specific instructions regarding decontamination.
  3. Carefully remove pad, place into doubled autoclave bags.
  4. Decontaminate all exposed BSC surfaces with an appropriate disinfectant.
  5. After a spill is decontaminated, the area shall be thoroughly cleaned with mild detergent and dried, and decontaminated again with an appropriate disinfectant.  Residual contaminants can support the growth and multiplication of microorganisms that can jeopardize experimental results.
  6. Dispose of clean-up materials appropriately

• Remove PPE and wash hands,

2. Spills in Incubators

STOP WORK IMMEDIATELY!
ALWAYS ALERT OTHERS FIRST!

• The following PPE must be worn: laboratory coat, eye protection, one-two pairs of latex gloves, and one pair of housekeeping gloves.
• All surfaces and items shall be surface decontaminated with an appropriate disinfectant before being removed from the contaminated incubator and placed in another incubator.
• Decontaminate the water in the floor of the incubator with an appropriate disinfectant.
• Initiate an incubator sterilization cycle in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Remove PPE and wash hands

3. Spills in Centrifuges

STOP WORK IMMEDIATELY!
ALWAYS ALERT OTHERS FIRST!

TURN CENTRIFUGE OFF

• Presume a contaminated aerosol has been generated. 
• Inform all others in the area that an aerosol may have been generated. All persons shall evacuate the room immediately for at least 30 minutes.
• Notify the Principal Investigator and EHS by dialing 6-7055.
• Label the area off-limits for at least 30 minutes.
• The following PPE must be worn: laboratory coat, eye protection, one-two pairs of latex gloves, and one pair of housekeeping gloves. Depending on the material being centrifuged, a respirator may also be required. EHS will conduct a risk assessment in determining the level of response required.
• To decontaminate the centrifuge:
• Place the spill control pad over any liquid puddle to absorb and control the spread of liquid.
• Add 1:10 dilution of household bleach, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (“chlorox”)or an appropriate disinfectant to soak the spill control pad and let it react for 15 minutes.
• Carefully remove pad, place into doubled autoclave bags.
• Decontaminate all exposed centrifuge and environmental surfaces with an appropriate disinfectant.
• After a spill is decontaminated, the area shall be thoroughly cleaned with mild detergent (window cleaner) and dried, and decontaminated again with an appropriate disinfectant.         
• Remove rotor and place in a BSC. To decontaminate rotor, soak it in an appropriate disinfectant, followed by mild detergent, then water rinse and dry.

4. Spills Outside of BSC

STOP WORK IMMEDIATELY!
ALWAYS ALERT OTHERS FIRST!
VACATE LABORATORY

• Do not panic
• Leave room immediately, do not take a breathe until clear of contaminated area, and close the door.
• Notify the Principal Investigator and EHS
• Spills in the laboratory, outside a BSC or other physical containment device, must be immediately reported to the Principal Investigator and EHS and documented. Reported and documented spills are any spills that may contain the presence of potentially infectious materials or the possibility of splashes and generation of aerosols.  If spill results in exposure, fill out Employee’s First Report of Injury form and follow exposure procedures.
• Warn others not to enter the contaminated area.
• Post a temporary warning sign labeling the area as off-limits
• Remove and put contaminated garments into an autoclave bag-lined container for autoclaving and thoroughly wash hands and face.
• Wait 30 minutes to allow dissipation of aerosols by the room ventilation air changes.

     4a.   For a Major Spill Outside of BSC  

• Presume a contaminated aerosol has been generated.  The incident should be treated as a potential exposure.
• Inform all others in the area that an aerosol may have been generated. All persons shall evacuate the room immediately.  Post ‘No Entry’ sign.
• Contact EHS for assistance (410-706-7055 or after hours by dialing 711 and asking the police to notify the on-call EHS staff member.)
• Notify the Principal Investigator
• Remove contaminated clothing, turn exposed area inward, and put in autoclave bag. Wash all exposed skin with disinfectant.
• Wait 30 minutes to allow dissipation of aerosols by the room ventilation changes.
• EHS will conduct a risk assessment of the space to determine appropriate PPE and clean-up procedures.

     4b.  For a Minor Spill Outside of BSC

• Leave room immediately, do not take a breathe until clear of contaminated area, and close the door.
• Leave area for 30 minutes
• To decontaminate the area:
• Place the spill control pad over the spill.
• Add 10% household bleach or an appropriate disinfectant to soak the spill control pad and let it react for 20-30 minutes.
• Carefully remove pad, mop up the liquid, or soak it up with paper towels or disposable pads. Discard materials into an autoclave bag in a autoclave pan and autoclave.
• Wipe the area clean with appropriate disinfectant.
• Remove PPE and wash hands.

B.    Employee Exposure

1. HUMAN BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN EXPOSURE (HOTLINE)
   
   
   1. FOR SPLASHES TO THE EYES, NOSE, OR MOUTH; IRRIGATE THE SITE IMMEDIATELY WITH RAPIDLY FLOWING WATER FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES.
   2. If you are exposed to any human blood, blood products, bodily fluids or other infectious materials by injection, open wound, eye, nose, or mouth, contact the Human Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Hotline at (410) 328-2337, page number 7845. (Please note that this information and phone number are for University of Maryland, Baltimore staff and faculty ONLY ).  Report your name, type of exposure and that you are a UMB employee.  Follow their instructions.  This is a 24-hour per day 7 day per week service.
   3. Complete "Employee's First Report of Injury" and take it with you to SEH.  Be sure a copy is sent to Risk Management as soon as possible after treatment. Fax a completed copy of the Employee's First Report of Injury to Risk Management at 6-1520 . This will ensure timely processing of claim and issuance of claim number and prescription authorization if appropriate.
      
      
2. INSTRUCTIONS FOR BITE/SCRATCH/SPLASH EXPOSURE INCIDENTS INVOLVING ANIMALS (NON-MONKEY)
   
   If an exposure (injection, absorption, or inhalation) of non-monkey animal tissues or fluids, or from cages that might be contaminated with macaque secretions,
   
   DO THE FOLLOWING:
   
   
   1. FOR BITES OR SCRATCHES; IMMEDIATELY SCRUB AND IRRIGATE THE WOUND WITH SOAP AND WATER FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES.
   2. FOR SPLASHES TO THE EYES, NOSE, OR MOUTH; IRRIGATE THE SITE IMMEDIATELY WITH RAPIDLY FLOWING WATER FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES.
   3. FILL OUT an Employees First Report of Injury Report form and bring the form to SEH. See EHS contact procedure in A. above.
   4. REPORT the incident after normal working hours, weekends and holidays immediately after cleansing the site by calling the Veterinary Resources emergency pager at (410) 748-4569.
      
      
3. INSTRUCTIONS FOR BITES/SCRATCH/SPLASH EXPOSURE INCIDENTS INVOLVING MACAQUE MONKEYS
   
   (Prevention of B-Virus Infection)
   
   
   1. FOR BITES OR SCRATCHES; IMMEDIATELY SCRUB AND IRRIGATE THE WOUND WITH SOAP AND WATER FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES.
   2. FOR SPLASHES TO THE EYES, NOSE, OR MOUTH; IRRIGATE THE SITE IMMEDIATELY WITH RAPIDLY FLOWING WATER FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES.
   3. REPORT the incident during normal working hours by calling the Veterinary Resources veterinarian immediately after cleansing the site at (410) 706-3540 and page the Student and Employee Health Clinic at (410) 512-0021.
   4. REPORT the incident after normal working hours, weekends and holiday immediately after cleansing the site by calling the Veterinary Resources emergency pager at (410) 748-4569.
   5. If on campus, bring your UMB B-Virus Medical Alert Card with you when you go to the Student and Employee Health Clinic (normal working hours) or the University of Maryland Medical Center Emergency Department (after normal working hours) for medical evaluation. If off campus, bring your Alert Card to the nearest emergency department.
   6. FILL OUT an Employees First Report of Injury Report form and fax it to the Risk Manager (410) 706-1520 and bring the form to SEH. Fax a completed copy of the Employee's First Report of Injury to Risk Management at 6-1520 . This will ensure timely processing of claim and issuance of claim number and prescription authorization if appropriate.
      
      
4. MEDICAL TREATMENT

1. Employee should hand the "Employee’s First Report of Injury" to staff at SEH.  Retain a copy for your personnel file and fax a copy to the Risk Management at (410) 706-1520.
2. Receive medical treatment to possibly include diagnosis, treatment, prescription authorization, return exam request, and referral to specialist. There is NO charge to the injured employee for the first visit nor any IWIF authorized follow-up treatment for a compensable injury.
3. Employee should obtain copy of "Medical Services Form" completed by the Attending physician or staff at SEH. This form should be reviewed by the employee’s supervisor and then given to the departmental timekeeper.  
4. If an employee receives treatment from a non-SEH provider, the employee must notify the provider that it is a potential workers' compensation claim.  The injured worker must also notify Risk Management (410) 706-3221 that they have received treatment at another location (provide details).

C.  Fire or Emergency Evacuation Procedures

• Stop all work and cover or secure exposed materials
• Exit the laboratory and building following normal exit procedures
• Do not re-enter the laboratory until advised by the Fire Department that it is safe to do so.