Every lab conducting research with biological materials should be prepared to immediately address spills by having appropriate spill control materials and spill procedures in place. The biological spill procedures outline exactly what to do in the event of a spill. To make this easier, the Office of Biological Safety (OBS) has developed customizable biological spill protocol templates.
Tips for filling out templates
- When completing the header (title), the line above “Lab Biohazardous Spill Protocol for” should list the PI or laboratory name.
- The line below “Lab Biohazardous Spill Protocol for” should indicate when the procedure will be used (e.g., specify the biological materials, specify the location(s), or add other information specifying when the procedure will be used).
- For biological materials handled at BSL2, the “Spill Not in BSC with Evacuation” template should be used.
The procedures uploaded in the Disinfection/Inactivation section of the registered biosafety protocol should be readily available in your laboratory. OBS recommends either posting the spill procedures in the laboratory or keeping a copy of the spill procedures with the biological spill kit materials.
If the research team revises any biological spill procedures (e.g., change in disinfectants or PPE worn for clean-up) or creates a new spill procedure (e.g., agent or location-specific procedure), then a biosafety protocol amendment will need to be submitted for review and approval. Please note that the “Date Prepared” does not need to be updated annually. This date should only be changed when a procedure is revised.
OBS is happy to answer any questions or provide guidance. Please contact us if you have any questions: biosafety@fpm.wisc.edu, 608-263-2037.
by Karen Demick
Karen Demick is a Biosafety Specialist on the IBC and Laboratory Operations team. She joined EH&S in 2011 and supports the research community through reviewing biosafety protocols and outreach to laboratories.
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