Overview
A biohazardous spill kit is not available in the lab or is not appropriately stocked. Spills and contaminated surfaces and equipment are not appropriately cleaned and decontaminated.
All BIO labs must have a biohazardous spill kit, easily accessible to all workers. It is not necessary for laboratories to purchase pre-made, commercial bio-spill kits. They may not be appropriate for the work conducted in the lab and can be expensive. An effective spill kit can be assembled relatively inexpensively from materials already available in the lab.
Sometimes components of a spill kit are “scattered” throughout the lab (bleach is under the sink, gloves are on the lab bench, etc.). If the lab has a chemical spill kit and has the additional biohazardous bags and disinfectants elsewhere, this is acceptable. Not all the contents need to be in the spill kit.
Biohazardous spill kits should be able to handle the largest credible spill volume at any given time. For example, if the lab is growing 10L of algae, the kit should be able to handle such a spill.
You will also cite this item if there appear to be spills that have not been cleaned up in a BSL-1 or BSL-2 lab. This is similar to what is discussed under LAB02 General Housekeeping, but this item is specific to spills on surfaces and equipment. Use your judgment and inquire about spills before citing this as they may not be biological. If you suspect a spill of a biological agent, be sure to note it and notify the Senior Specialist for the building and the BSO.