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Department of Biochemistry
School of Molecular Sciences Safe Work Procedure
AUTOCLAVES
The Autoclave is a steam
sterilisation pressure vessel used to sterilise media and equipment and
waste.
The basic essential in steam sterilisation is that the whole of the load
of material comes into contact with saturated steam at the required
temperature and time. The time required for complete sterilisation of a
load varies with the nature and size of the load and the size and type
of the steriliser.
• NO ONE should attempt to use the autoclaves without being ‘licensed’.
Sue Mullins is in charge of the Biochemistry autoclaves and organises
the training and licensing of autoclave users.
• Autoclave bookings must be clearly written into the booking diary
provided, with the following information:
1. FULL NAME
2. Cycle - Type and Duration
3. Contact Phone Number or Contact Laboratory
• All biological material must be autoclaved before final disposal.
• All waste must be placed in autoclave bags and have autoclave tape
(pressure sensitive tape) attached to the bags.
• Bags must be left OPEN and placed in the autoclave.
• If you are autoclaving bags containing agar plates, you must place the
bags in plastic beakers (located beside autoclave) as the agar will melt
and it is likely to leak from the bags. If it is not contained it will
flow into the drain, solidify and block the drain.
• Lids on Schott bottles should be loosened about a quarter of a turn
and secured with autoclave tape (to prevent the lid coming loose or off
during the autoclaving process)
• Care should be taken when loading the autoclave to ensure maximum
steam penetration and draining of condensate.
• Thermal protective gloves must be used when placing bags into the
autoclave and when removing bags after sterilisation.
• Use the tool supplied to remove material from deep within the
autoclave, to avoid the possibility of scalding injury to neck, arms and
head from hot dripping water.
• All autoclaves are inspected bi- annually to comply with OGTR
requirements and PC2 certification.
• Trays in the autoclaves must be emptied after each run, regardless of
cycle type. Never pour this liquid down the sink as there is likely to
be molten agar present which could solidify in the pipes
• All waste is to be carried to the autoclaves in a sealed container.
After sterilisation please let bags cool down before putting them into
waste bins (as the bags leak) Do not leave your autoclaved waste hanging
around the autoclave for days. Waste bags are removed on Wednesday
afternoon after Admin. Staff place them in the Biological Waste bins in
the Agriculture yard. The autoclaved bags can be stored in the cold room
until then.
Autoclave Monitoring Procedures
Autoclave performance is monitored twice-yearly by Athertons.
1. Routine Monitoring.
Chemical indicators such as sterilising tape and sterilope pipette bags
are used to monitor autoclave performance during individual runs. These
indicate that items have been exposed to a sterilisation process and can
be used to distinguish between processed and unprocessed items.
2. Checking of trays and general condition.
The condition and functioning of the trays, controls and general
condition is checked at the time of regular monitoring.
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