LABORATORY SAFETY MANUAL

Site Map of Manual

Lab Safety Manual
1st Page

Chapter 1
Emergency Response

Chapter 2
General Safety

Chapter 3
Chemical Hygiene Plan

Chapter 4
Radiological Safety

Chapter 5
Biological Hygiene Plan

Chapter 6
Laser Safety

Chapter 7
Administrative Concerns

Chapter 8
Standard & Special Operating Procedures

Chapter 9
Facility Data

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Appendicies

Bibliography

Glossary

Index

On-Campus Contact Information

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1st Rule of Lab Safety

Haz-Waste No-No

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Updated December 1999

General Safety
Section 2.6 - Centrifuge Safety

Does your lab have a centrifuge? Have you been instructed in proper use of this valuable tool? Are you aware that 90% of centrifuge failures are the result of user errors? These errors may result in lost samples and damaged equipment as well as a risk to you the lab user and your lab.

This partial checklist is submitted for your convenience and if appropriate should be included in your lab's Chemical Hygiene Plan, possibly in the Special Procedures section.

Protocol calls for centrifugation. The following are suggested steps.
(First review the owner's manual--if manual not available, obtain a copy before proceeding.)

1. Which centrifuge
2. Which rotor
3. Correct tube size and adapter

4. What speed & length of time

After the above selections have been made, and the owner's manual and centrifuge log consulted (especially critical on ultra centrifuge), insure the tube fits properly in the rotor. This is important because up to 600,000 G forces may be generated during the centrifugation procedure.

Insure you are using the appropriate level of containment. Is the material potentially infectious and/or radioactive? If so, are you using aerosol containment tubes? Are you loading and unloading the rotor in a biological safety cabinet?

Suggested steps to follow BEFORE starting the centrifuge:

1. Insure centrifuge bowl and tubes are dry.
2. Is the centrifuge spindle clean?
3. Avoid overfilling of tubes and bottles.
4. Insure rotor is properly seated on drive hub.
5. Make sure tubes are properly balanced in rotor (½ gram at 1 G is roughly equivalent to 250 Kg @ 500,000 G's).
6. Are O-rings properly attached to the rotor? Is the vacuum grease fresh?
7. Has the rotor been properly secured to drive?

8. Is the centrifuge lid shut properly?

After the above steps are taken and the centrifuge has started, make sure the run is proceeding normally before you leave the area.

Once the centrifuge run is complete, make sure the rotor has STOPPED completely before you open the centrifuge lid; then check for spills. If infectious material was placed in the centrifuge, WAIT 10 minutes before opening the centrifuge lid. If leak or damage has occurred, close the lid and plan proper decontamination and cleanup. For biological spills, contact the Biological Safety Officer.

Maintenance/Cleaning:

1. Keep rotors clean and dry. If spills occur, make sure rotor has been cleaned/decontaminated. If salts or corrosive materials were used, ensure they have been removed from the rotor.
2. Avoid mechanical scratches. The smallest, scarcely visible scratch allows etching to enlarge the fracture, which is subject to enormous rupturing forces at high g's--a vicious cycle leading to rotor explosion.
3. Avoid bottle brushes with sharp metal ends and harsh detergents when cleaning aluminum rotor heads.

4. After proper clean-up, rinse the rotor with de-ionized water.

Inspections:

1. Check the rotor for rough spots, pitting, and discoloration. If discovered, check with the manufacturer before using. Use professional rotor inspection services frequently. These visits can be arranged to accommodate numerous users throughout the University.

2. Consult the centrifuge manufacturer and centrifuge log for the derating schedule for the rotor. Remember--an unlogged ultra-speed centrifuge is a ticking time bomb.