Biosafety at Ryerson7. Emergency Response

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Emergency ResponseEmergency telephone numbers:

Tanya Vlaskalin, Biosafety Officer tatjana.vlaskalin@ryerson.ca 416-979-5000, ext. 554212

Ryerson Security and Emergency Services (after-hours) security@ryerson.ca 416-979-5040

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The location and proper use of emergency equipment (e.g., eyewash stations, first aid kits, etc.) should be known to all lab personnel prior to the start of any work in the laboratory.

Emergency Response

Spill of Biological Materials

Steps are taken to avoid spread and unnecessary aerosol generation. If there is a spill, follow these steps:1. prevent access to spill area2. disinfect by using the appropriate disinfectant and

allowing sufficient contact time3. report it to your supervisor

General spill procedures● protective clothing (double gloves)● place absorbent around edges of spill● clean from out towards centre (prevent spread of

contamination)● spill cleanup materials for biohazardous waste disposal● perform decon as outlined in Biological Safety Manual● wash hands after cleanup

Emergency Response

RYERSON UNIVERSITY

General spill proceduresFor minor spills (< 5 L)

● protective clothing (double gloves)● if spill occurs on benchtop, evacuate the laboratory for a time sufficient

for most aerosols to settle or be dispersed and removed by the ventilation system, typically 20 to 30 minutes

● prevent access to area by marking the area with warning signs and closing laboratory doors

● report spill to supervisor as soon as feasible

Emergency Response

General spill proceduresFor minor spills (< 5 L)● decontaminate all surfaces exposed to the spill with a suitable disinfectant

(effective disinfectants must be available in the laboratory at all times and for immediate use)

● allow sufficient time for decontamination of the mixed material, normally 20 to 30 minutes; it is advised to leave the laboratory during this period

● after decontamination, carefully absorb the liquid with absorbent paper or absorbent materials supplied in a spill kit and place into biohazard waste container

Emergency Response

RYERSON UNIVERSITY 8

Contaminated personnel

● remove contaminated clothing (carefully)● flush with plenty of water (2-3 minutes)● monitor rinse water● monitor skin for contamination and repeat above if necessary● open wounds: obtain immediate medical attention ● call

Emergency Response

First Aid

First aid measure initiated immediately after injury can minimize the exposure to bloodborne pathogens.● remove contaminated clothing and gloves● allow immediate bleeding or forcing of bleeding of cut● wash affected area with soap or antiseptic and water● if eyes, nose or mouth are involved, flush with large amounts of water● cover wound with dressing or band aid● seek further medical attention if required: Ryerson Security and Emergency

Services (after-hours): satellite locations to follow own in-house protocol

Reporting ExposuresEvery exposure must be reported to the supervisor or a designated person without delay:

• the injured person should not postpone seeking medical attention if the supervisor is not available and should immediately contact Ryerson Security and Emergency Services at 416-979-5040 on main campus (satellite locations to follow own in-house protocol)

• personnel potentially exposed to bloodborne pathogens must be instructed to seek medical advice following an exposure

• the physician will determine if the risk is significant, and the type of medical follow up required

RYERSON UNIVERSITY

Reporting Exposures: Forms

Details of the accident should be documented on the:

● Internal Accident/ Exposure Investigation Report and send it to Integrated Risk Management (IRM) within 24 hours of incident, and

● Employer’s Report of Injury/Disease (Form 7) form and send it to Human Resources within 24 hours of incident.

Find these forms and follow instructions on what to do in case of an incident, accident or injury on the EHS website.

SpillsSpill response will vary depending on:

• what was spilled? • how much was spilled? • where was the spill? • what is the potential for release to the environment?

Spills should be cleaned up immediately (unless an aerosol was generated), to ensure proper decontamination.

All spills are to be reported ASAP to the lab supervisor and EHS.

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Spills within a BSC• leave the ventilation on (run 10-15 minutes )• cover spill area with absorbent material • soak the spill area with an appropriate disinfectant (e.g. 10% bleach) • pour disinfectant from the outside surface of the absorbent material towards

the inside. • leave on for 20 to 30 minutes • wipe up with absorbent material • all items within the cabinet should be disinfected• all waste should be autoclaved

Spills outside of a BSC

• evacuate the immediate area for at least 20-30 minutes• assemble supplies and PPE• add disinfectant, pick up any broken glass with forceps and place in a sharps

container • cover with absorbent material • all adjacent areas should also be disinfected or wiped down • all waste should be autoclaved

Spills occurring in a centrifuge• leave lid closed and allow aerosols to settle for at least 1 hr (ensure centrifuge

is off, affix a sign) • move to BSC, if possible• disinfect the centrifuge, rotors and buckets in an appropriate disinfectant, allow

at least 20 to 30 min of contact time • drain the disinfectant• thoroughly wipe down the inside of centrifuge and all parts including the lid

(paper towels soaked in disinfectant) • rinse both the rotors and inside of the centrifuge with water if bleach was used• collect and dispose of waste as usual

Spills occurring during transport

If a spill occurs during transport:

• clean-up must be initiated immediately• then follow directives for spills outside

of a biological safety cabinet

The use of secondary containers and carts for transport greatly reduces the risk of transport spills!

Spill Clean-up• all users of biological materials should be familiar with the spill

clean-up procedures

• spill response plan

• additional assistance is available from:• departmental safety officer (DSO) or lab manager • Biosafety Officer at 416-979-5000, ext. 554212• Ryerson Security and Emergency Services at 416-979-5040