4 Key Hazards Lab Personnel Face When Working with Autoclaves
Lab personnel experienced in working with an autoclave can encounter various hazards.
These hazards can be categorized into physical, chemical, and biological hazards.
Physical Hazards
Physical hazards include the risk of burns from heat, steam, and hot liquids.
Lab personnel should wear appropriate personal protective equipment such as heat-resistant gloves, safety glasses, and closed-toed shoes to protect themselves from these hazards.
They should also be cautious of their hands and arms when closing the autoclave door to prevent injury.
Chemical Hazards
Chemical hazards can arise if sealed containers or items containing solvents are placed in the autoclave.
The pressure inside the autoclave can cause glassware to crack or explode, and solvents can emit toxic fumes when heated.
It is important for lab personnel to be aware of these risks and avoid placing such items in the autoclave.
Additionally, bleach or cleaners containing bleach should not be autoclaved as the chlorides within bleach can damage the unit.
Biological Hazards
Biological hazards can occur if infectious materials are not properly autoclaved.
Lab personnel should ensure that all materials requiring sterilization are effectively treated in the autoclave to prevent the spread of pathogens.
Other Physical Hazards
Other physical hazards include the risk of hand and arm injuries, body injuries (other than hand and arm), electric shock/electrocution due to exposed wiring and circuitry, slips or trips on protruding pipes or wet surfaces, entrapment in walk-in style units, snagging or entanglement on levers and door wheels, pinches from sliding or hinged doors, and bursting during an operational malfunction.
Lab personnel should be cautious of these potential hazards and follow proper safety protocols to minimize the risk of accidents.
Training and Safety Protocols
To mitigate these hazards, it is important for lab personnel to undergo training on the safe operation of autoclaves.
This training should cover the location, function, and use of controls, proper loading and unloading procedures, required personal protective equipment, incident and maintenance reporting, record keeping, and emergency procedures.
Principal investigators or laboratory supervisors should ensure that all users are trained before operating an autoclave and maintain records of the training in the lab.
By being aware of these hazards and following proper safety protocols, lab personnel can minimize the risks associated with working with autoclaves and ensure a safe working environment.
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