Emergencies involving biological agents and GMOs
- Fire, ambulance or police services: CALL OOO
- University security: CALL 46666
- GMO-related incidents: CALL DR PAUL TAYLOR 8344 2047
Spills and unintentional release
The following procedure for cleaning a spill of a hazardous biological agent can be found in the Environmental Health and Safety Manual, and is based on that described in ANZS 2243.3:- If the spill involves potentially infectious biological agents, the area must be vacated for 30 minutes to allow aerosols formed during the spill to settle.
- Establish a clean-up team of at least 2 people, preferably 3. One member of the team should act as a supervisor and ensure that other members are not inadvertently contaminating themselves.
- Personal protective clothing appropriate for the agent that has been spilled should be worn during clean up. This means at least a lab coat and gloves.
- The spill should be covered with absorbent material (vermiculite if available, paper towels soaked in disinfectant will do otherwise). Surround the edges of the spill with paper to prevent it spreading further when disinfectant has been added.
- Add disinfectant to the centre of the spill. Hypochlorite solution with a concentration of 1.0% available chlorine (10,000 ppm.) is recommended for this procedure.
- Allow the disinfectant to act by leaving it there for at least 15 minutes.
- Carefully mop up the spillage and disinfectant solution and transfer all contaminated objects and liquids to a waste container for contaminated material.
- Be sure to wipe down other surfaces ( for example, chairs, lab benches) where aerosols may have settled with the disinfectant solution
- Check yourself for contamination . Remove lab coats and gloves, and check boots/shoes for possible contamination. Clean as required
- Report the incident to your supervisor and, if the spill involved GMOs, to the Gene Technology Regulation Officer.
Unintentional release of GMOs
Any incident involving GMOs, especially unintentional release of a GMO into the environment, must be reported to the OGTR, via the Biohazards Committee. Should an incident occur, please contact Dr Paul Taylor (8344 2047) as soon as the immediate hazard has been rendered safe.
Any incident involving GMOs, especially unintentional release of a GMO into the environment, must be reported to the OGTR, via the Biohazards Committee. Should an incident occur, please contact Dr Paul Taylor (8344 2047) as soon as the immediate hazard has been rendered safe.