Biosafety in the laboratory - VIB

6. CONTAMINATION, ACCIDENTS,
DECONTAMINATION AND
INACTIVATION
Minor contamination incidents can happen sooner than one might think. Some fluid may
be spilled when it is being poured out, or some droplets may splash. It is important to deal
with contaminations immediately. Other accidents, like the breaking of glassware, needleprick
or cutting accidents, may also happen before you know it. These different kinds of
accidents always result in exposure to the organism. There is no immediate risk when a
harmless class 1 organism is involved, but even in such cases it is necessary to clean and
decontaminate. Not surprisingly, because if this is not done, micro-organisms or their
remains may accumulate in the laboratory and thus become a potential source of contamination
for the work of other laboratory staff. It goes without saying that accidents with
organisms posing a genuine threat either to the laboratory worker and other humans or to
the environment (risk class 2, 3 and 4 pathogens or GMOs) are possible as well. If such an
accident occurs, it is an absolute must to clean and decontaminate immediately. Spills on
damaged skin, or spills on intact skin of for instance human pathogenic viral particles,
should never be disregarded.
Prevention
Since prevention is always better than cure, it is important to avoid accidents whenever
possible. This can only be achieved by working carefully and thoughtfully. Experiments
should be carefully planned, all necessary materials should have been collected beforehand,
and afterwards everything should be put back where it belongs. Sloppiness is the
major cause of accidents. Scalpels, for instance, should never be left unattended on one’s
bench. Put them in a safe container instead. As for needles, they should never be recapped
after use. Place them in a special needle-waste container.
Notification
When a laboratory staff member has been exposed to dangerous human pathogens, this
should always be reported, and not only when blood is pouring everywhere. An accident
should be reported, even when there has been only a minor risk of contamination, or
when there are doubts about the possibly hazardous characteristics of the material used
(i.e. non-tested human blood). The people responsible for biosafety and/or workers protection
should be notified, and if necessary, a doctor and insurance company (with a view
to recovering the costs of expensive drugs) as well. Immediately after the accident the
Contamination, accidents, decontamination and inactivation 29