Added 4/2/2020

The following procedure is in accordance with Safety Services' handbook on Working Safely with Human Blood, Tissues and other Specimens in Research Laboratories.

Following an accident that results in:

• superficial contamination of the skin - wash affected area with soap and running water, with gentle scrubbing
• contamination of the eye - irrigate with the eye wash.
• contamination of nose or mouth - wash out with copious amounts of tap water.
• breakage of the skin - encourage wound to bleed, wash with soap and water for several minutes, but without scrubbing; cover wound with a waterproof dressing.

Report the accident immediately to the Principal Investigator, Biological Safety Adviser and, if medical intervention is required, UoD Occupational Health Service or A&E if OH nurse is not available. The human material the victim has been exposed to should be identified and retained for testing, if required.

Safety Services have provided a facilitation letter to present to the medical staff at A&E that asks for the victim to be assessed and tests carried carried out to establish if infection with blood borne virus has occurred. Note the decision to carry out tests, or conduct any other follow up, ultimately sits with the A&E staff.

Measures must be taken to ensure the confidentiality of people potentially exposed to blood borne pathogens as a result of an accident.

Personnel involved in the clean up and disinfection of the spill must be informed of the risks and trained in safe working procedures. They must not place themselves at risk, especially if the accident involves broken glass or other sharp objects.

See SOP62 for spill procedure.