Immediate risk readiness

The risk assessment framework we have described for chemical toxicity is applicable to microbial risk assessment. Once the information is available on microbial hazards, which are for the most part acute (immediately observable) conditions resulting from acute (one-time) exposures, and their dose (pathogen count)-response characteristics, we should be ready to assess the risks associated with any dose of interest. Hazard information for the important pathogens is readily available but, as expected, their dose-response characteristics are much harder to come by. So with pathogen risk assessment we see the same types of uncertainties creeping into the framework as we have encountered for chemicals. 

The first and best response to any liquid spill is to immediately clear the area of aU people and quickly notify an instructor. In academic labs, it is very likely that identifying what was spilled will be fairly easy. Since liquids spread easily, if possible to do so safely, it is best to build a small dike around the spiU area using sand, an absorbent material, or a spill pillow that both absorbs the liquid and prevents further spread. Containing the spill is best, but you should not put yourself at risk to do this. If you use a spiU kit, you should tell someone in authority about the incident and particularly note that the spill kit was used. Returning an empty spill kit to a shelf is unsafe since it will not be ready for a subsequent emergency ... 

---