TB Laboratory Accidents Leading to Infectious Spillage

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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