As National Biosafety Month draws to a close, we want to make sure your lab is prepared to handle a biological spill. Here are a few things you can do to be ready:

Read the updated Biological Spill Planning and Response Manual on the EHS website

The updated and revised Biological Spill Planning and Response Manual includes:

• How to prepare a biological spill kit for your lab
• When you must report a biological spill to EHS and the IBC
• Improved spill cleanup procedures

Display vital spill response procedures

Ensure you and your colleagues can easily access the information you will need in the event of a biological spill. Resources are available at the EHS website.

Contact EHS for copies of the following posters: 

• Biological Spill Response (recently updated)
• Lab Exposure and Spill Response Guide
• Medical Assistance Map

Review your Biological Spill Kit

Your kit should contain:

• Mucous membrane protection for eyes, nose, and mouth
• Fluid resistant disposable lab coats or tie back gowns
• Nitrile gloves in various sizes
• Water-resistant shoe covers
• Small dustpan, small broom, and forceps for cleaning up broken glass
• Large and small autoclavable red Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) bags
• Disinfectant appropriate for all pathogens in use in the lab (e.g., household bleach)
• Absorbent material (e.g., paper towels)
• Copies of the spill response posters listed above

Contact us

If you have any questions or need assistance with training or equipment, please contact EHS at 646-962-7233 or ehs@med.cornell.edu.