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TB Laboratory Accidents Leading to Infectious Spillage
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There are different types of accidents that can occur in the TB lab. These accidents and actions to be taken are elaborated below:
Tube Breaks or Infectious Spills inside the Biosafety Cabinet (BSC)
- Place absorbent tissue over the spill and apply the disinfectant for 30 mins to 1 hour.
- Carefully collect contaminated sharps material and place it in a puncture-resistant container for disposal.
- Clean the walls of BSC with a layer of absorbent paper towel liberally soaked in disinfectant solution.
- Electrical equipment should be checked carefully before it is used.
- Collect other contaminated material in a biohazard bag for appropriate disposal.
Infectious Spills outside the Biosafety Cabinet
- Everyone should immediately vacate the affected laboratory area.
- The laboratory manager should be informed of the incident immediately.
- Staff must be prevented from re-entering the laboratory for at least 1 hour, to allow aerosols to be removed through the laboratory’s ventilation system and allow time for heavier particles to settle.
- Signs should be posted indicating that entry is forbidden during the clean-up procedure (Figure below).
Figure: Door signs when a spill has occurred
- Appropriate protective clothing and respiratory protection MUST be worn during cleaning.
- Standard operating procedures for spill clean-up MUST be followed.
- The incident should be documented.
Spill Clean-up Procedure to be Used
- Put on gloves, a protective laboratory gown and a respirator.
- Re-enter the affected area.
- Cover spill with cloth or paper towels to contain it.
- Pour appropriate disinfectant over paper towels and the immediate surrounding area.
- Apply disinfectant concentrically, beginning at the outer margin of the spill and working towards the centre.
- Allow sufficient time for the disinfectant to act, before clearing away any material for disposal.
- Clean up the decontaminated area and place any contaminated material in a biohazard bag for disposal.
Tube Break or Spill Inside the Centrifuge: Clean-up Procedure
- The tube should be contained within the safety cup.
- Place the unopened safety cup in the BSC.
- Let sit undisturbed for 30 minutes.
- Disinfect all inside surfaces of the centrifuge.
- Carefully open the safety cup in which break occurred, place lid, top-down, next to the cup.
- Remove uncompromised tubes and disinfect the outer surface of tubes by wiping with disinfectant-soaked cotton/ gauze.
- Pour disinfectant into cup and lid, taking care not to splash.
- Let stand for 30 minutes, pour off disinfectant and place the broken tube into the discard container to be autoclaved.
- Disinfect the entire surface of the BSC.
- Wash the cup and lid, and insert in hot soapy water.
- Remove the O-ring to clean underneath, air-dry, and re-silicone the O-ring.
Resources
- World Health Organization Tuberculosis Manual 2012, p42.
- World Health Organization Lab Safety Manual, 3rd edition.
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