Utilities

Wear personal protective equipment:

• Lab coat
• Eye protection
• Closed-toe shoes
• Heat-resistant gloves to remove items, especially hot glassware (remember these have been at 121c!)

Packaging and Loading

• Only designated individuals should be allowed to set and/or change parameters for the autoclaves.
• Before using the autoclave, check inside for any items left by the previous user that could pose a hazard.
• Clean the drain strainer before loading the autoclave.
• Always place items in a secondary container.
• Do not overload or package bags too tightly. Leave sufficient room for steam circulation. If necessary, place container on its side to maximize steam penetration and avoid entrapment of air.
• Use only autoclavable bags to package waste.
• Do not allow bags to touch the interior walls of the autoclave to avoid melting of plastic.
• Ensure sufficient liquid is packed with contents of autoclave bags if dry.
• Place soiled glassware and lab ware in secondary containers and autoclave them in the solids cycle. Do not fill containers more than 2/3 full with liquids. Loosen caps or use vented closures.
• Ensure to mark with autoclave tape to indicate steralisation (note the print out is the official record and MUST be checked)

• In case of clean glassware and wrapped instruments, lay them in a secondary container before autoclaving in wrapped goods cycle.
• For secondary containment, use autoclave trays made out of polypropylene, polycarbonate or stainless steel. The trays should have a solid bottom and sides to contain the contents and catch spills.
• Choose appropriate cycle for the material.  Incorrect selection of cycle may damage the autoclave, cause liquid to boil over or bottles to break.
• Start your cycle and fill out the autoclave user log.  A completed cycle usually takes between 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Check chamber/jacket pressure gauge for minimum pressure of 20 pounds per square inch (psi).
• Close and lock door.
• Check temperature for 121⁰C every load.
• Do not attempt to open the door while autoclave is operating.

Unloading

• Ensure cycle has completed and both temperature and pressure have returned to a safe range.
• Wear PPE described above, plus an apron and face shield if removing liquids.  Stand back from the door as a precaution and carefully open door no more than 1 inch. This will release residual steam and allow pressure within liquids and containers to normalize.
• Allow the autoclaved load to stand for 10 minutes in the chamber. This will allow steam to clear and trapped air to escape from hot liquids, reducing risk to operator.
• Do not agitate containers of super-heated liquids or remove caps before unloading.
• Place liquids in an area which clearly indicates the items are “hot” until the items cool to room temp.
• Allow autoclaved materials to cool to room temperature before transporting. Never transport superheated materials.
• Place cooled autoclaved biohazard bag into regulated medical waste box.  Autoclaved infectious liquids may be disposed of into the sanitary sewer.

Recordkeeping:

Autoclave Log:

An autoclave log containing the following details should be maintained by researchers as directed with the technical staff:

• Date, time, and operator’s name
• Contact information: Laboratory, room number, phone number
• Type of material sterilized/cycle
• Temperature, pressure, and length of time the load is sterilized.

LAB AUTOCLAVE BEFORE THE CYCLE

• Make sure all users are trained prior to operating any autoclave. Users must be trained and logged on the offical insurance register.
• Only load materials that are compatible with the autoclave.
• Before loading containers of liquids into the autoclave, loosen the caps.
• Ensure any bags are slightly open to allow steam to penetrate and steralise
• Ensure that the autoclave door is closed and locked before beginning the cycle

AFTER THE CYCLE

• When the cycle is complete, open the door cautiously.
• Do not remove items from an autoclave until they have cooled completely.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including a lab coat, eye protection, closed-toe shoes, and heat-resistant gloves to remove items.
• Use forceps or other tools to remove sharp instruments from autoclaves.

Autoclaves provide a physical method for disinfection and sterilization. They work with a combination of steam, pressure and time. Autoclaves operate at high temperature and pressure in order to kill microorganisms and spores.