Infectious spills require that personnel are prepared and trained in advance to properly and safely contain the spill and dispose of the waste. Following a laboratory spill containing blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM), the principles of OSHA's BBP Standard should be followed. EVD is an enveloped RNA virus, which is susceptible to many disinfectants currently used in hospitals across the United States. Use disinfectants that work against non-enveloped viruses to provide a broader antiviral spectrum. Disinfectants labeled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as effective against non-enveloped viruses are more potent and can inactivate both enveloped (eg, EVD) and non-enveloped (eg, poliovirus, rotavirus, norovirus) viruses.
Adhere to laboratory-specific procedures designed to detail the safe work practices necessary before spill clean-up is initiated, including the:
- Use of the appropriate spill kit containing the necessary supplies
- Recommended PPE that should be worn (minimally, disposable gloves, fluid-resistant gown, eye protection, face mask)
- Appropriate disinfectant (EPA-registered for non-enveloped viruses) for use with sufficient potency (based on the size of the spill)
- Proper disposal of materials used during spill clean-up
