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Recommended Work Practices: Centrifuge Equipment

Hazards associated with centrifuging include mechanical failure and the creation of aerosols. To minimize the risk of mechanical failure, centrifuges must be maintained and used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Aerosols are created by practices such as filling centrifuge tubes, removing supernatant, and resuspending sedimented pellets. The greatest aerosol hazard is created if a tube breaks during centrifugation. To minimize the generation of aerosols when centrifuging biohazardous material, the following procedures should be followed:

• Use sealed tubes and safety buckets that seal with O-rings. Before use, inspect tubes, O-rings and buckets for cracks, chips, erosions, bits of broken glass, etc. Do not use aluminum foil to cap centrifuge tubes because it may detach or rupture during centrifugation.
• Fill and open centrifuge tubes, rotors and accessories in a BSC. Avoid overfilling of centrifuge tubes so that closures do not become wet. After tubes are filled and sealed, wipe them down with disinfectant.
• Add disinfectant to the space between the tube and the bucket to disinfect material in the event of breakage during centrifugation.
• Always balance buckets, tubes and rotors properly before centrifugation.
• Do not decant or pour off supernatant. Use a vacuum system with appropriate in-line reservoirs and filters.
• Work in a BSC when resuspending sedimented material. Use a swirling rotary motion rather than shaking. If shaking is necessary, wait a few minutes to permit the aerosol to settle before opening the tube.
• Small low - speed centrifuges may be placed in a BSC during use to reduce the aerosol escape.

Recommended Work Practices: Safety Blenders

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