Advantage of Public Transport

With thanks to Dr. S. Collins / P. Blennerhassett

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR AUTOCLAVE OPERATION

Autoclave model:

Person responsible:

Located in Room

I. ASSOCIATED RISKS

Autoclaves are sterilizers using high pressure and high temperature steam. The potential safety risks for the operators are:

• Heat burns -from hot materials and autoclave chamber walls and door

• Steam burns -from residual steam coming out from autoclave and materials on completion of cycle

• Hot fluid scalds- from boiling liquids and spillage in autoclave.

• Hand and arm injuries when closing the door.

• Body injury if there is an explosion

II. RISK MANAGEMENT

• Autoclaves are inspected every 3 months and certified annually by spore strips. The inspection, service and repair records are maintained in the lab. The name of the person responsible for the autoclave shall be posted near the autoclave.

• An authorized training session must be successfully completed by users prior to use of autoclaves.

• It is the supervisor's responsibility to ensure employees are trained before operating any autoclave unit.

• Procedural and instructional documents must be followed.

• Personal protective clothing and equipment must be worn when loading and unloading the autoclave.

Equipment to protect against scalds and burns:

• Heat-insulating gloves that provide complete coverage of hands and forearms.

• Closed-toed footwear.

III. OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS Training

All operators must have successfully completed an authorized training session on the safe operating procedures of this autoclave. This requirement applies to both new and experienced personnel. A list of authorized users will be kept with the cycle records.

Material Preparation

• Ensure that the material is able to be autoclaved

➢ samples containing solvents or substances that may emit toxic fumes should not be autoclaved.

• Glassware must be...