Department of Physiology
Procedure No:
PHY/SOP/EQ01
Revision No:
001
Title:
Effective Date :
14/6/2010
Centrifuge Safety
(Adopted from OSHE/SOP/BS/06)
Page:
Page 1 of 6
Safety & Health
Laboratory (Location):
Cytokine biology Lab, MD9
Prepared/Review By
Approved By
Next Review Date
Oh Chu Yun
Dr. Leung Pui Lam Bernard
14/6/2013
* Review Date = Future date for the next revision (every 3yrs)
1.0 OBJECTIVE
The objective of this document is to provide guidance on how centrifuges are to be used, cared
for and maintained in a safe manner. Centrifuges must be properly used and maintained
because the rotors are subjected to powerful mechanical stress that can result in rotor failure. In
addition, improper loading and balancing of rotors can cause the rotors to break loose while
spinning leading to damage.
2.0 SCOPE
This procedure is applicable to all laboratories using centrifuges in NUS, Physiology.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 Principal Investigator (PI)
The PI is to ensure that:
a. Operating instructions, users’ manuals, repair and maintenance histories are available
for centrifuges under his/her charge.
b. Rotor logs are kept for high speed and ultra-centrifuges. See Appendix 1 for the
recommended rotor log format.
c. All users are trained and competent, and training records are kept.
d. Users observe all instructions for safe and responsible operation as detailed in this
procedure.
e. Ensure that the person who is responsible for each centrifuge carries out all the
described safety & health tasks (including regular maintenance, servicing and record
keeping).
f. Appropriate warning signs are provided in rooms where potentially hazardous biological,
radioactive materials, toxic or other hazardous chemicals are being centrifuged.
g. All incidents or lapses are reported to the Department Safety & health Officer.
Department of Physiology
Procedure No:
PHY/SOP/EQ01
Revision No:
001
Title:
Effective Date :
14/6/2010
Centrifuge Safety
(Adopted from OSHE/SOP/BS/06)
Page:
Page 2 of 6
Safety & Health
Laboratory (Location):
Cytokine biology Lab, MD9
3.2 Centrifuge operator
The operator is responsible to:
a. Attend training identified by his/her PI.
b. Know and follow operating instructions for rotors and centrifuges used.
c. Safely handle, operate and clean all centrifuges and rotors during and after use.
d. Fill out the log each time the equipment is used (applicable for high speed and
ultracentrifuges only).
e. Clean spills or breakage within centrifuge, noting and reporting concerns regarding
possible damage, misuse, and/or failure of other users to comply with this procedure.
f. Report damage to centrifuge or rotor to the PI so that action in terms of repair or decommissioning may be performed.
3.3 Designated Person
The Head of Department shall appoint a Designated Person to take charge of the centrifuges
that form part of the common facilities.
4.0 DEFINITION
4.1 Classes of Centrifuges
Centrifuges are generally divided into three classes:
a. Low Speed (up to 15,000 rpm)
b. High Speed (15,000 rpm to 25,000 rpm)
c. Ultracentrifuge (25,000 rpm or higher)
5.0 PROCEDURES
5.1 Documentation
a. Prior to operation of any centrifuge, the user shall review the Manufacturer’s Manual to
understand the proper operating procedures for the specific unit being operated.
b. A copy of the Manufacturer’s Manual and Safety & Health Manual must be kept in a
designated location in the laboratory for easy access.
c. A copy of Appendix 2 – Centrifuge Safety should be posted next to a centrifuge for
guidance to users.
5.2 Safe Operation
a. Lids shall be closed at all times during operation.
b. Rotors must be used only with the correct centrifuge.
c. Observe maximum speed and sample density ratings designated by the manufacturer
for each rotor, and speed reductions required for running high-density solutions, plastic
adapters, or stainless steel tubes.
Department of Physiology
Procedure No:
PHY/SOP/EQ01
Revision No:
001
Title:
Effective Date :
14/6/2010
Centrifuge Safety
(Adopted from OSHE/SOP/BS/06)
Page:
Page 3 of 6
Safety & Health
Laboratory (Location):
Cytokine biology Lab, MD9
d. The user shall not leave the centrifuge until full operating speed is attained and machine
appears to be running safety without vibration.
e. If vibration occurs the centrifuge should be stopped immediately and load balances
checked. Swing-out buckets should be checked for clearance and support.
f. Sample loads must be balanced and swinging bucket rotors must not be run with
missing buckets. (½ g at 1 G is approximately equivalent to 250 kg @ 500,000 G’s!)
g. Plastic centrifuge tubes should be discarded after one cycle of ultracentrifugation. The
failure rate for used tubes is a hazard which justifies the use of new tubes for each high
G centrifugation.
h. Nitrocellulose tubes should be used only when transparent and flexible (fresh). They
must never be heated because of explosive possibility.
i. Store all fixed angle vertical tube and near-vertical tube rotors upside down, with the lids
or plugs removed. Swinging bucket rotors should be stored with the bucket caps
removed.
j. If vibration occurs, stop the run immediately; wait until the rotor stops, and check the
load balances.
k. In the event of a power failure, do not try to open the lid to retrieve samples for at least
half an hour. Follow the instructions in the manual for recovery of the samples.
5.3 Working with Hazardous Materials
a. Rooms where potentially hazardous biological, radioactive materials, toxic or other
hazardous chemicals are centrifuged must be identified by the appropriate warning signs.
b. With biohazard materials, rotors must have aerosol containment (“O-rings” and safety
cups) or be used in the biological safety cabinet. Rotors must be loaded and unloaded in
a biological safety cabinet. With radioactive material, keep centrifuge within an
appropriate shield.
5.4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
a. Appropriate personal protective equipment like respirators, face shield, goggles and
gloves shall be used when required.
b. Risk assessment must be conducted to decide on the type of PPE required for the work.
5.5 Emergency Procedures – Centrifuge Spill
a. Turn off centrifuge, notify others in laboratory and evacuate if necessary.
b. Post temporary hazard warning sign.
c. Notify PI, responsible person or departmental safety representative.
d. Refer to the relevant Spills procedures (CBL/SOP/02) and report the incident
(CBL/SOP/GS/01).
Department of Physiology
Procedure No:
PHY/SOP/EQ01
Revision No:
001
Title:
Effective Date :
14/6/2010
Centrifuge Safety
(Adopted from OSHE/SOP/BS/06)
Page:
Page 4 of 6
Safety & Health
Laboratory (Location):
Cytokine biology Lab, MD9
5.6 Maintenance
a. Refer to user’s manual for detailed maintenance and care of the centrifuge.
b. Rotors and cups are to be cleaned after each use with non-corrosive (non-alkaline for
anodized rotors) cleaning solutions and stored inverted when required by the
manufacturer. Mild detergent is recommended.
c. After proper clean-up, rinse the rotor with de-ionized or distilled water.
d. Sharp plastic bristle tube brushes are not to be used for cleaning cavities. Remove all
trace of detergents before air drying.
e. 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.
f. 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.
g. Rotors shall be retired after the manufacturers’ recommended revolutions or years of
service, whichever comes first, except where an annual stress test (magnaflux or other
professionally recognized analysis) proves an absence of structural flaws.
h. If a centrifuge is experiencing problems or maintenance is required, the unit must be
immediately taken out of service, disconnected from the power source and clearly
marked DO NOT USE until serviced. This notice will include the name of the person, the
date, the reason and the signature of the PI or the Responsible Person.
6.0 RECORDS
Rotor Log is to be kept for one year.
7.0 REFERENCES
a. OSHE/BS/GL/03 – Biological Spill procedure
b. OSHE/U/GL/01 – Selection of PPE
c. OSHE/SOP/U/02 – Chemical and Biological Accidents / Incidents Reporting and Investigation
8.0 APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Recommended Rotor Log Format
Appendix 2: Centrifuge Safety Poster
Department of Physiology
Procedure No:
PHY/SOP/EQ01
Revision No:
001
Title:
Effective Date :
14/6/2010
Centrifuge Safety
(Adopted from OSHE/SOP/BS/06)
Page:
Page 5 of 6
Safety & Health
Laboratory (Location):
Cytokine biology Lab, MD9
Department of Physiology
Procedure No:
PHY/SOP/EQ01
Revision No:
001
Title:
Effective Date :
14/6/2010
Centrifuge Safety
(Adopted from OSHE/SOP/BS/06)
Page:
Page 6 of 6
Safety & Health
Laboratory (Location):
Appendix 2
Cytokine biology Lab, MD9