Video

Containing Spill in your Class II, Type A2 Biosafety Cabinet

Spill management in a Class II, Type A2 Biosafety Cabinet is critical for maintaining a safe and efficient laboratory environment. The video 'Containing Spills in Your Class II, Type A2 Biosafety Cabinet' provides step-by-step guidance on handling spills effectively, aligning with industry guidelines and expert recommendations.

Preparation and Essential Supplies

Preparation begins with ensuring your laboratory has a comprehensive spillage protocol, developed with input from your biosafety manual and safety staff. Essential spill management supplies include:

• Safety apparel
• Absorbent materials
• Disinfectants appropriate for biohazards

These supplies should be readily accessible to address potential hazards quickly.

Steps to Handle a Spill

If a spill occurs, take the following steps:

1. Stop Work: Immediately cease all tasks and seal or cover items within the cabinet to prevent further contamination.
2. Notify Colleagues: Make others in the facility aware of the incident to ensure coordinated action.
3. Doff and Replace PPE: Remove personal protective equipment (PPE), enclose it for autoclaving, and cleanse hands thoroughly before replacing with new PPE.
4. Decontaminate the Spill:
   • Overlay absorbent material onto the spill.
   • Gently flood the area with disinfectant and allow sufficient contact time for effective decontamination.
5. Disinfect Objects: Before removing potentially contaminated items from the cabinet, disinfect or securely enclose them for safe handling.
6. Repeat as Needed: If objects interfere with treating the spill or additional decontamination is necessary, repeat the above steps.

Post-Cleanup Steps

After cleaning the spill, additional steps are necessary to restore the cabinet and maintain safety:

• Enclose Used Materials: All cleaning cloths, absorbent materials, and surface mats should be enclosed and prepared for autoclaving or proper disposal.
• Remove Residual Disinfectant: Wash off chlorides or other disinfectant residues using clean water or alcohol to prevent rusting of cabinet surfaces.
• Remove and Replace PPE: After finishing the cleanup, doff safety apparel and gloves, cleanse hands thoroughly, and replace PPE if necessary.
• Document the Spill: Record the incident and cleanup process in accordance with laboratory protocols to ensure compliance and safety record-keeping.

Restoring Cabinet Function

Allow the biosafety cabinet to operate for at least 10 minutes before resuming work. This step ensures proper airflow and further minimizes any residual risk from the spill.

This video ensures laboratory personnel are equipped with the knowledge and practical steps needed to handle spills safely and efficiently, maintaining both safety and compliance with biosafety standards.