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Autoclaves
There are several different types of hazards associated with the use of
autoclaves. The main ones are the pressure vessel hazard, the unloading
hazard and failure of a make-safe (cycle to sterilise contaminated waste)
process. The following describes some of the main factors that should be
taken into account in risk assessments and the types of control measures to
be implemented.
The relevant British Standard covering use of autoclaves in laboratories is BS
2646 Autoclaves for Sterilisation in Laboratories 1993. When Schools are
purchasing autoclaves or arranging maintenance work they should always
check the autoclave and the associated installation and servicing complies
with the British Standard specifications. A simple open tun-dish is not suitable
for the exhaust line of a laboratory autoclave. The need for any additional
controls on the exhaust for autoclaves in Containment Level 3 laboratories
should be determined by risk assessment .
Regular maintenance is essential for the continued efficiency and safety of
laboratory autoclaves and ancillary equipment. Schools should have a
continuing programme of planned preventative maintenance throughout the
life of the autoclave. Where the autoclave is used to make safe waste it is also
necessary to validate and monitor the performance of the autoclave. Further
details on this are given in section 8 below.
In addition to ongoing maintenance and validation arrangements, it is a
requirement under the The Pressure Systems Safety Regulation that
autoclaves be periodically examined by a competent person. This
examination is necessary in advance of the autoclave being brought in to
service and thereafter at appropriate regular intervals. Within the University
this is carried out by the University's Engineering Insurers and all autoclaves
must be notified to the University's Engineering Insurance Surveyor in order
that they can be added to the schedule and arrangements be made for
examination. Notification of autoclaves should be made through the University
Health and Safety Department.
1. Operation of Autoclaves
Autoclaves should be operated only by persons who have been trained and
instructed in their use.
Operation instructions should be provided for the operator and should include
details of action to be taken by the operator in the event of a fault or any
abnormality in autoclave performance. It is recommended that simple, easy to
understand instructions are provided in addition to the detailed manual
provided by the manufacturer.
Created on 20/07/2009
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This document is intended for use by the University of Edinburgh staff and students only
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336
2. Maintenance
The continuing safe and effective use of the autoclave depends on a
programme of planned maintenance throughout its life. Maintenance
schedules should therefore follow all of the recommendations in the current
British Standard. The manufacturer should always be consulted on
maintenance intervals. Schools should have a continuing programme of
planned preventative maintenance throughout the life of the autoclave.
When a fault occurs during a make-safe cycle an assessment of risk should
be made and appropriate action taken. It may be necessary to disinfect those
chamber attachments on which engineering work is to be carried out. During a
make-safe process, chamber condensate should be considered to be
contaminated with viable micro-organisms.
A contaminated laboratory autoclave should never be returned to the
manufacturer for servicing or repair. Decontamination should be carried out in
accordance with local safety rules. The use of permit to work systems for
maintenance contractors is strongly recommended.
3. Protective Clothing
A protective laboratory coat of side or back fastening style should be worn in
the autoclave loading/unloading area(s).
Additional protective clothing should be available in the loading/unloading
area(s) to protect the operator. This should include an impervious apron, heatresistant gauntlet gloves, suitable heavy-duty footwear or overshoes and a
full-face visor. The hazards on loading include spills of biohazardous material,
broken glass and dropped load contents. The hazards on unloading include
splashes and spillage of hot material from the load, hot condensate, hot
equipment, broken glass, dropped load contents, and vapour from volatile
chemicals.
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This document is intended for use by the University of Edinburgh staff and students only
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336
Items should be packed in a way that ensures that steam will penetrate the
load. Bags should not be sealed, if the tops have been taped or tied the bags
should be opened or slashed to allow effective steam penetration.
When some chemicals (including disinfectants) or materials are autoclaved
they are likely to produce vapours that could harm persons exposed when
opening the door or they may be corrosive to the autoclave. A risk
assessment should be made of all items to be autoclaved taking account of
this possibility.
6. Waste Containers
All waste should be placed in waste containers which should be easily
transportable, leakproof and of a robust design with solid sides and bottoms.
They should allow adequate steam penetration to the contents.
If autoclave plastic bags are used they should be supported in a waste
container whilst in the laboratory, during transport to the autoclave and also
whilst in the autoclave. The bag should be open during the autoclave cycle so
that steam can penetrate its contents. It is recommended that transparent
(rather than opaque) autoclave bags be used as this allows the autoclave
Created on 20/07/2009
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This document is intended for use by the University of Edinburgh staff and students only
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336
operator to see if any hazardous materials have been placed in the bag by
mistake.
7. Operating Cycles
Typical operating cycle conditions are listed in the table below.
TYPICAL OPERATING CYCLE CONDITIONS
Process
Sterilising
Temperature
Holding Time
(minutes)
Min 0C
Max 0C
Min
Max
Liquids Sterilisation
121
115
124
128
15
30
Equipment/Glassware
Sterilisation
121
126
134
124
129
138
15
10
3
Make-safe (waste)
121
126
134
125
130
138
15
10
3
The operating cycle should take account of heat up times. The time required
for the load to reach sterilizing temperature should be determined during
validation tests.
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This document is intended for use by the University of Edinburgh staff and students only
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336
Containers should be loosely capped unless they are specifically designed for
sealing. However, sealing bottles can increase the likelihood of explosion
during autoclaving and slows cooling.
Created on 20/07/2009
Page 5 of 6
This document is intended for use by the University of Edinburgh staff and students only
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336
Created on 20/07/2009
Page 6 of 6
This document is intended for use by the University of Edinburgh staff and students only
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336