Laboratory Standard Operating Procedure
(For the use infectious or potentially infectious agents in centrifuge)
Name of Procedure: Centrifuge SOP in lieu of safety cups
Agents: Pathogen or other potentially infectious material (e.g. Bloodborne pathogens, human cell culture, etc.)
Prepared By: Name
Revision Date: Insert Date
APPROVALS – OSEH approved work with infectious agents listed above.
CONTAINMENT LEVEL – BSL2
LOCATION - This procedure will be performed at the following location(s): building and room#
Procedures are performed in BSL-Xlab on the open bench and without safety cups.
Procedure: Wear PPE to handle all infectious agents. Before centrifuging, inspect tubes for cracks and stress
marks. Check all o-rings for nicks and cracks visually and by feeling them. The o rings must be in their proper
position to be effective. Fill and decant all centrifuge tubes within the biological safety cabinet. Never
overfill centrifuge tubes to prevent leakage from occurring. The maximum for general
purpose centrifuge tubes is 3/4 full. Load tubes with material in the biosafety cabinet located in building and
room#. Carefully wipe down tubes with disinfectant and place in tube rack and carry to XX. Place tubes in the
centrifuge close lid and spin samples. When spin cycle is complete wait an additional 2 minutes to allow any
potential aerosols to settle. Wearing PPE open centrifuge lid place tubes back in tube rack and carry back to
building and room# to BSC open for further manipulations with the agent.
Centrifuging Plates:
Ensure plates are covered with the lids and then the plate/cover is secured with parafilm. Plates are placed in the plate
holders of the tabletop centrifuge and spun for X hours at XXXX rpm at XXC. After the spin, the plates are removed and
transferred to the biosafety cabinet and the sealing film is removed.
Do not open, pipette, or perform any manipulations with infectious agents on open bench top.
HAZARDS - The agents listed above are XXX, this procedure presents potential exposure or physical health
hazards. Safety precautions are prudent and mandatory: Contact or Aerosol exposure if spill occurs in
centrifuge during spin and is immediately opened.
Wait an additional 1-2 minutes after centrifuge stops before opening lid.
ENGINEERING CONTROLS - Use biological disinfectant 10% bleach to clean spills
Sink, Eyewash/Safety shower are located (bldg. room#). Remove contaminated clothing and vigorously wash exposed area with
soap and water for 10 minutes. Obtain immediate medical attention. Report the incident to the Laboratory Director. See Chapter 7
of the Biosafety Manual for additional information on Emergency Management.
Biological safety cabinet is located in (bldg. room#). Perform all work that may create an aerosol in the biological safety cabinet. The
concentrated stock of biological disinfectant is located in the cabinet labeled disinfectant in room 00. Dilute stock solutions are
located in the (tissue culture room, biological safety cabinet, in cabinet)
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)- Prior to performing this procedure, the following personal
protective equipment must be obtained and ready for use: Disposable gloves, safety eyewear and lab coat.
Wear PPE listed above when handling all infectious agents. Wear disposable (single use) latex or nitrile gloves, replace gloves as soon
as possible when visibly soiled, torn or punctured. Wash your hands or any other contaminated skin with soap and water
immediately or as soon as possible after removal of gloves and after visible contact with infectious materials. Use facial barrier
protection whenever splashes, spray, droplets, or aerosols may be generated (NOTE: Opening containers creates aerosols). Face
protection may include the following: hood sashes, shields, masks and safety glasses, or chin-length face shields. Remove all PPE
immediately prior to leaving the work area and as soon as possible if overtly contaminated. Contaminated PPE will be DISPOSED of
as biohazardous waste or decontaminated.
WASTE DISPOSAL - This procedure will result in the following biohazardous waste, which must be disposed
of in compliance with environmental regulations: pipette tips, eppendorf tubes, gloves paper towel
Autoclave Waste- Place waste that will be autoclaved in clear autoclave bags that have an indicator badge that turns black once the
waste is autoclaved. Do not put sharps or standing liquids in autoclave bags.
ACCIDENTAL SPILL - In the event that a hazardous material spills during this procedure, be prepared to
execute the following emergency procedure: Report spills of infectious agents to PI/Lab Director and OSEH
Biosafety.
For a small spill, alert people in the immediate area of the spill.
Wearing protective equipment; cover the spill with paper towels or other absorbent materials. Carefully pour a freshly prepared 1 in
10 dilution of household bleach around the edges of the spill and then into the spill. Avoid splashing. Allow a 20-minute contact
period. Use paper towels to wipe up the spill, working from the edges into the center. Clean the spill area with fresh towels soaked
in disinfectant. Place towels in a sealed container and put an “infectious substance” marking on the container. Report the spill to the
Laboratory Director. If a large spill, evacuate the lab and call HazMat at 3-4568 for proper clean-up.
PRIOR APPROVAL - This procedure is considered hazardous enough to warrant prior approval from the
laboratory director. YES / NO
ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS & REFERENCES –
CERTIFICATION - I have read and understand the above SOP. I agree to contact my Supervisor or Lab
manager if I plan to modify this procedure.
Signature
Name (Print)
Date
Room #