precautions while using centrifuge

Precautions while using Centrifuge

these procedures for working with a centrifuge safely.
21. During centrifugation
During centrifugation 1 Close lids at all times during operation. Never open a centrifuge until the rotor has stopped. 2 Do not exceed safe rotor speed. 3 The operator should not leave the centrifuge until full operating speed is attained and the machine appears to be running safely without vibration. 4 Stop the centrifuge immediately if an unusual condition (noise or vibration) begins and check load balances.
22. After centrifugation
After centrifugation 1 Allow the centrifuge to come to a complete stop before opening. 2 Wear new pair of outer gloves to remove rotor and samples. 3 Check inside of centrifuge for possible spills and leaks, clean centrifuge and rotor thoroughly if necessary. 4 Wash hands after removing gloves.
23. Centrifuging infectious materials or human samples
Avoid the use of celluloid tubes with biohazards. If celluloid tubes must be used, an appropriate chemical disinfectant must be used to decontaminate them. 2 Always use sealed safety cups, safety buckets, or sealed rotors with O rings as secondary containment. 3 Always wear gloves when handling tubes or rotors. 4 Place a biohazard label on the centrifuge. 5 Fill centrifuge tubes, load into rotors, remove from rotors, and open tubes within a biological safety cabinet whenever possible. 6 Wipe exterior of tubes or bottles with disinfectant prior to loading into rotor or bucket. Seal rotor or bucket, remove outer gloves, and transport to the centrifuge. 7 Wait at least 10 minutes after the run to allow aerosols to settle before opening the centrifuge. Check for possible spills or leaks. For spills of infectious materials transmitted by inhalation, see Emergency Procedures below.
24. Centrifuge Maintenance
Moisture, chemicals, strong cleaning agents, and other substances can promote corrosion of centrifuge parts and cause centrifuge failure. The following are general maintenance recommendations: 1 Follow manufacturer instructions for maintenance and cleaning.2 Keep the centrifuge clean and dry. 3 Clean all spills immediately and decontaminate the rotor after use with biological or radioactive materials. 4 Clean rotors and cups with non corrosive detergents (mild detergent and distilled water are recommended), then dry the surface thoroughly.
25. Know your rotors and maintain a log book
Rotors (high speed and ultra) of unknown history may not be used. A complete and comprehensive rotor log is to be kept for every high speed and ultracentrifuge rotor, and will include all user names, run dates, durations, speeds, total rotor revolutions, and any notes on rotor condition.Rotor manufacture date, and the date of stress testing (magnaflux or other professionally recognized analysis) if applicable, shall be recorded and kept with the rotor log.
26. General Before centrifugation
Train each operator on proper operating procedures, review the user manual.
27. Warrantie details
All centrifuge maintenance must be clearly documented in the log book provided in the lab for each unit. This includes record of service history, warranties and warranty expiration dates as well as details of maintenance carried out by laboratory users.2. If no reliable record of centrifuge history is found, or records are inadequate or not up to date, the unit concerned must be immediately taken out of service. A service representative from the centrifuge manufacturer must be contacted and the unit completely inspected and parts requiring replacement ordered and replaced by the service representative. Proper records must be kept thereafter.
28. General precautions
Centrifuging presents the possibility of two serious hazards: mechanical failure and aerosols. The most common hazard associated with centrifuging is a broken tube.To ensure safety when operating a centrifuge, take precautions to ensure the following: 1 Proper loading (accurate balancing) 2 Safe operating speeds (do not exceed manufacturer recommendations) 3 Safe stopping 4 Complete removal of materials 5 Proper cleanup.
29. Specific guidance
Follow these guidelines when working with a centrifuge: 1 When loading the rotor, examine the tubes for signs of stress, and discard any tubes that are damaged. 2 Inspect the inside of each tube cavity or bucket. Remove any glass or other debris from the rubber cushion. 3 Ensure that the centrifuge has adequate shielding to guard against accidental flyaways. 4 Use a centrifuge only if it has a disconnect switch that deactivates the rotor when the lid is open. 5 Do not overfill a centrifuge tube to the point where the rim, cap, or cotton plug becomes wet. 6 Always keep the lid closed during operation and shut down. Do not open the lid until the rotor is completely stopped. 7 Do not brake the head rotation by hand. 8 Do not use aluminum foil to cap a centrifuge tube. Foil may rupture or detach. 9 When balancing the rotors, consider the tubes, buckets, adapters, inserts, and any added solution. 10 Stop the rotor and discontinue operation if you notice anything abnormal such as a noise or vibration. 11 Rotor heads, buckets, adapters, tubes, and plastic inserts must match.
30. Low speed centrifuges
Low speed and small portable centrifuges that do no have aerosol tight chambers may allow aerosols to escape. Use a safety bucket to prevent aerosols from escaping. All centrifuges that have manufacturers rotor derating systems including ultracentrifuges,high speed centrifuges (Sorval and equivalent instruments) and high speed benchtop(Eppendorf, IEC, Jouan and equivalent instruments) must have an up to date record of the total hours of usage (refer to centrifuge use logs). Microcentrifuges and other low speed centrifuges do not require use logs.