Safety & Compliance · SOP
Bloodborne Pathogen Cleanup And Biohazard Disposal
This procedure defines the step‑by‑step protocols for safely containing, cleaning, and disposing of blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) in industrial facilities. Adherence to WorkSafeBC OHS Part 5 and CSA Z432 standards is mandatory.
Estimated Time
45 min
Difficulty
Advanced
Regulation
WorkSafeBC Standard
Version
1.0
Purpose
To protect personnel from exposure to bloodborne pathogens (HBV, HCV, HIV) and to ensure regulatory compliance with WorkSafeBC OHS Part 5 and the Canadian Biosafety Standard. Proper cleanup and disposal minimize the risk of cross‑contamination, prevent environmental release of biohazardous materials, and establish a clear chain of accountability for spill response.
Scope
This SOP applies to all employees, contractors, and visitors in areas where blood or OPIM (e.g., bodily fluids, contaminated sharps, laboratory waste) may be generated or handled. It covers spills of any volume—from a few drops to large pools—in production floors, maintenance bays, first‑aid stations, and waste‑storage areas. This procedure does not replace site‑specific exposure‑control plans; it serves as the operational baseline for immediate spill response and disposal.
Safety Precautions
- Assume all blood and OPIM are infectious. Treat every spill as a biohazard until verified otherwise.
- Wear mandatory PPE: nitrile gloves (double‑layer recommended), fluid‑resistant disposable gown, N95 respirator, and full‑face shield. Do not handle any contaminated item without PPE.
- If the spill is near moving machinery or electrical panels, perform lockout/tagout (LOTO) before containment. De‑energize and isolate equipment per site LOTO procedure.
- Ensure adequate ventilation—open windows or use exhaust fans if the spill is in a confined space. Never use compressed air or high‑pressure water to disperse a biohazard spill.
- Post biohazard warning signs at all access points to the contaminated zone. No unauthorized personnel may enter until the area is fully decontaminated and cleared by the spill lead.
- Do NOT pick up broken glass or sharps with hands—use mechanical tongs, dustpan, or a sharps container. Encountered sharps must be handled with extreme care to avoid needlestick injury.
Required Tools & Materials
- Biological spill kit (pre‑packaged with absorbent granules, disposable towels, red biohazard bags, twist ties)
- EPA‑registered disinfectant (List N) for bloodborne pathogens – e.g., 10% bleach solution (1:9 dilution) or commercial equivalent
- Mechanical scoop and dustpan (dedicated, non‑porous)
- Double nitrile gloves, fluid‑resistant gown, N95 respirator, full‑face shield
- Red biohazard waste bags (marked BIOHAZARD, 2‑mil thickness minimum)
- Secondary rigid biohazard container (plastic pail with lid, autoclave‑safe)
- Portable spray bottle or trigger sprayer for disinfectant
- Absorbent pads or paper towels (lint‑free)
- Sharps container (if sharps are present)
- Biohazard warning signs, barrier tape, and cones
- Hazardous Spill Report form (paper or digital)
Procedure: Step-by-Step
1
Secure the Area and Don PPE. Cordon off the spill with barrier tape and cones. Post biohazard signs at all entry points. Don full PPE in the order: gown, mask, face shield, double gloves. Ensure no exposed skin. Verify that all personnel near the spill have moved to a safe distance.
2
Absorb and Contain the Spill. If the spill is liquid, apply granular absorbent from the spill kit. Wait for solidification (typically 1–2 minutes). Using the mechanical scoop and dustpan, carefully sweep the solidified material into a red biohazard bag held open by a bag stand or second person. Avoid creating splashes or aerosols.
3
Remove Sharps or Debris. If broken glass, needles, or sharp objects are present, use mechanical tongs or forceps to lift them. Place directly into a sharps container. Do not push sharps into the biohazard bag—they can puncture it. Seal the sharps container immediately and label it.
4
Disinfect the Surface. Saturate the contaminated surface with EPA‑registered disinfectant. Use a spray bottle to achieve full coverage. Allow the disinfectant to dwell for the full contact time printed on the label (minimum 5 minutes for bleach‑based solutions). Wipe with disposable towels, working from the clean edge inward. Dispose of towels in the same biohazard bag.
5
Decontaminate Reusable Tools. Submerge the scoop, dustpan, and forceps in a 10% bleach solution for 30 minutes. Rinse with clean water and air‑dry on disposable towels. Alternatively, autoclave at 121°C for 60 minutes if available. Store decontaminated tools in a dedicated area away from clean equipment.
6
Bag, Seal, and Store Waste. Gather the red biohazard bag, leaving a few inches of headroom. Twist the top, fold it over, and secure with a twist tie. Place the sealed bag inside a secondary rigid biohazard container. Affix a biohazard label and write the date and “Bloodborne Waste” on the container. Transport the container to the designated biohazard storage area (locked, ventilated, and marked).
7
Remove PPE and Perform Hand Hygiene. Remove outer gloves first, then inner gloves—avoid touching the outside. Peel off gown, then mask, then face shield. Dispose of all disposable PPE in a separate biohazard bag. Immediately wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol‑based hand rub (60–95%) if soap is unavailable.
8
Document and Notify. Complete the Hazardous Spill Report: note the date, time, location, approximate volume, type of material, personnel involved, and disposal chain. Notify your supervisor and the site safety officer within one hour. If an exposure occurred (needlestick, splash to mucous membrane), initiate post‑exposure prophylaxis procedures immediately per site protocol.