INFORMATION SHEET: LS8 LABORATORY SAFETY SAFE USE OF HIGH SPEED CENTRIFUGES

Transcription

1 INFORMATION SHEET: LS8 LABORATORY SAFETY SAFE USE OF HIGH SPEED CENTRIFUGES This dcument prvides guidance n hw t use high-speed centrifuges (which can, if nt perated crrectly, cause serius injury and damage) safely in a labratry envirnment. Centrifuges rtate at very high speeds t separate materials n the basis f their density. There are a number f different types at the University frm bench munted t larger flr munted centrifuges. This Infrmatin Sheet refers t high speed, flr-standing centrifuges nly. High Speed Centrifuge Hazards If high-speed centrifuges are nt handled crrectly the fllwing hazards may arise: Majr injuries t the hands and fingers frm the rtr. An unbalanced rtr can mve vilently, leading t damage t bth the centrifuge, items near it and even damage t the building infrastructure. Bilgical and chemical hazards frm the samples being centrifuged. Samples ejected if the centrifuge is nt laded and balanced crrectly. If rtrs are nt attached prperly they can shift, causing the whle centrifuge t mve vilently, causing severe damage t the centrifuge and the building. Befre Starting Only trained, authrised persnnel may perate such centrifuges. A list f trained persns must be displayed by the centrifuge. Recrds f training must be kept. General ALWAYS check the COSHH Assessments t make sure yu understand any chemical r bilgical hazards assciated with the sample befre centrifuging it. A SPECIFIC RISK ASSESSMENT required if centrifuging flammable r txic materials. ALWAYS wear suitable PPE eg glves and gggles with glves replaced regularly. Remember, different thicknesses f glves are needed dependent n what yu are ding eg thicker glves if handling cncentrated acids r bases. Result f wrng rtr used Rtr failure (revised Sept 2016)

2 GLOVE MATERIAL CHEMICAL GROUP Natural Rubber Nitrile Rubber Nepren e TM PVC Butyl Vitn TM Water miscible substances, weak acids / alkalis Oils Chlrinated hydrcarbns Armatic slvents Aliphatic slvents Strng acids Strng alkalis PCBs Selecting Tubes There is a wide range f tubes. These vary in make, shape, size and material. ALWAYS CHECK: Each tube is clean and in gd rder ie n cracks, crazing. Tubes are suitable fr the rtr they are t be used in. The tubes are suitable fr the RPM and RCF they are t be spun at. The tubes are suitable fr the material and the vlume f material t be prcessed. There is a sufficient number f the same type f tube and assciated caps, rings etc. Balancing Tubes It is ESSENTIAL tubes are balanced crrectly as their cntents weight will increase significantly when spun. Fr example, 1ml at 20,000g (frce f gravity) = 20kgs. NEVER judge by eye. Use digital r manual balances which are set t 0 befre weighing and if yu are unsure hw t d this ask fr help:

3 NEVER verfill tubes and check they are tightly sealed. Place the tubes in the rtr and CHECK the rtr is balanced prperly. This will depend n the number f tubes the rtr hlds. Belw shws examples fr a 6 and 12-tube rtr. Opening the Centrifuge Befre and After Use Never pen the centrifuge until it has cme t a cmplete stp. Lading and Installing the Rtr Always use the crrect rtr fr the type f centrifuge. NEVER exceed the maximum rtr speed - usually displayed n the rtr lid. ALWAYS check the rtr fr signs f damage r crrsin befre use. Maximum rtr speed f 9000 RPM Maximum rtr speed f 20,000 RPM ALWAYS seat the rtr crrectly n the drive. Ensure rtr pins line up with spindle pins Spin rtr t check pins are lcated and rtr mves freely

4 Fit the rtr lid and check it is screwed dwn prperly int the spindle, with n gaps between the rtr lid and the rtr. Gently pull the rtr upwards t check it is secure. Secure the centrifuge lid and start the machine. Stay with the centrifuge until full perating speed is reached and the machine appears t be running withut vibratin. If there appears t be excessive nise r vibratin: Stp the machine and wait fr it t stp. Check the rtr balancing. If yu can t see anything wrng, make sure n ne else uses the machine and reprt the prblem t yur Supervisr. If a tube breaks: Stp the machine and leave fr 30 minutes t reduce aersls risk. Wear apprpriate glves fr the sample handled. Clean the centrifuge as per manufacturer s advice, r if unsure ask yur Supervisr. General Cleaning f Centrifuge and Rtrs Centrifuge rtrs can crrde unless prperly cleaned (very imprtant if using crrsive chemicals such as ceasium chlride). After each use clean and dry rtrs accrding t manufacturer s instructins. Water left in the centrifuge has caused crrsin If perated belw rm temperature, cndensatin frms within the centrifuge chamber. T prevent crrsin mp up excess water and leave the lid pen until dry.

5 Maintenance and Inspectins It is essential centrifuges are maintained as directed by the manufacturer s guidance. In additin, the imprtance f regular, recrded inspectins (every 3 mnths minimum) which includes checks f safety critical devices, such as pwer / lid interlcks cannt be emphasised enugh t ensure centrifuges cntinue t perate safely. Examples f what t include in an inspectin are: Check Ok Actin Required General cleanliness spilt chemicals nt cleaned can deterirate the casing / rtr etc The crrect rtr(s) are available and used crrectly ie the crrect rtr fr the RPM The rtr is nt past its use by / replacement date The crrect tubes are available and used O rings (if required) are available and in gd cnditin The centrifuge, rtr and tubes are structurally sund eg n cracks, chips, crazing, dents The lid secures crrectly when clsed The lid cannt be pened until the rtr has stpped spinning (cnfirms interlck wrks) There are n unusual sunds r vibratin patterns cming frm the centrifuge The Lg Bk is cmpleted crrectly The Authrised Users List is displayed Dispsing f Waste Check the COSHH Assessment t ensure cntainers / glves etc are dispsed f crrectly. REMEMBER If yu think there is smething wrng with a centrifuge, STOP using it, place a sign n it t prevent thers frm using it and reprt the prblem immediately t yur Supervisr r Lab Technician.