HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES

1. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Welcome to an on-line health and safety training package intended for staff and students working within UofE buildings on the Little France campus Information contained within these pages is for use by University of Edinburgh staff and students only.

2. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES This on-line training package is intended for laboratory-based workers, but is not a substitute for more detailed training which may be organised by senior laboratory managers. Last updated: May, 2017

3. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Please take time to view the following material, and direct any urgent questions to your H&S Advisor, Senior Laboratory Manager, or the Little France Buildings H&S Manager (the contact details for whom are shown on the penultimate page of this presentation). Thank you

4. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES A risk assessment should always be undertaken to underpin safety related to work that is to be done using an centrifuge, especially a high speed centrifuge. The risk assessment should take into account the nature of the potential hazards not only in terms of the work involved, and the potential for harm likely to be associated with the substances to be handled, but also the techniques to be carried out.

5. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Regardless of the nature of work that is to be done using an centrifuge, there are certain safety-related features that are more or less applicable to all tasks involving mechanical equipment, and which you should design into your work plan. The following guidance is based on measures described more fully in Section 14 of the Safety Manual for University buildings on the Little France campus, which you will find at: http://docstore.mvm.ed.ac.uk/HealthAndSafety/manual/Manual14.pdf

6. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES At the risk of stating the blindingly obvious … • Centrifuges rely on high speed spins. • Ultracentrifuges rely on very high speed spins • Achieving increased gravities depends on increasing spin speeds. • Casings around centrifuges are commonly armoured, though they are not completely impenetrable to flying objects inside them. • Some centrifuges may be bolted to the ground. • Disregarding safety arrangements, and misusing the equipment, may cause very serious problems and risk of harm.

7. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES An object weighing one gram at rest will increase in weight to 802,400 kilograms (one ounce will weigh 25.1 tons) while being spun in a centrifuge at speeds sufficient to generate 802,400 gravities. This is roughly equivalent to the effect of running a typical family car into a brick wall at a speed of 165 mph.

8. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Accidents are far from unprecedented, and some have the potential to be catastrophic for operators, those sharing the same laboratory environment, and even the fabric of the building.

9. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Considering the speed, forces and weights involved, it is not hard to imagine how an unbalanced rotor could breach even armoured containment, or propel the whole machine some distance though a laboratory.

10. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES It is essential that rotors are properly and correctly matched to the centrifuge within which they are to be fitted, and that all machinery is CE* marked. * CE marking is a key indicator of a product’s compliance with all relevant EU legislation including safety-related regulations

11. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Inspect all aspects of the machinery (and load) before commencing centrifugation, regardless of the size of centrifuge being used. Mishooked swing-out buckets are one of the leading causes of rotor mishaps in high speed centrifuges, for example.

12. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Incorrect rotor attachment is another common source of problems with centrifuges. Know how to properly and correctly locate the rotor onto the driveshaft. This is not always as simple as it may look – If in doubt, on any aspect, always ASK first!

13. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES And ensure that the lid is properly fitted. If the rotor has not been properly seated onto the drive shaft, it may drop down during the spin, and the lid may loosen and detach, resulting in components breaking free while the centrifuge is operating at speed.

14. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES And, finally, before starting the spin, regardless of intended run speed or duration of spin, you must ensure that a competent person confirms that the rotor has been secured properly in the centrifuge, that tubes are properly balanced, and that details of the run are properly recorded in the machine log.

15. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Planned programmes of preventative maintenance will do much to reduce the risk of injury and damage, and may represent a net cost saving compared to the cost of repair, especially when accidents have caused collateral damage to other equipment.

16. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES But it is critically important always to comply with manufacturer’s guidance, which will be set out in operation manuals and technical brochures; these should be kept close alongside the centrifuge for ease of immediate reference by users.

17. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Consider also the contents of tubes being spun within the centrifuge … If these contain hazardous materials, possibly including infectious substances, and containment is breached, the substances may well have contaminated the inside of the machine, and may spread out into the surrounding laboratory environment.

18. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES If the possibility of contamination exists, users must have prepared a spill management and disinfection strategy before commencing work. Breakages inside a centrifuge must be reported to a laboratory manager before you attempt to deal with the problem.

19. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES It is generally acceptable to autoclave centrifuge rotors (for up to one hour at 121oC), or use may be made of 70% ethanol or 6% hydrogen peroxide. But the tolerance of centrifuge equipment and accessories to heat and chemical treatment should always be confirmed before applying such treatment.

20. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES If contamination may have spread into the deeper workings of the centrifuge (e.g. having escaped the rotor and buckets), make the machine safe (turn off the electrical supply, close and seal up the lid, and secure the area within which it is located) and seek advice from the manufacturer of the centrifuge and/or a reputable specialist maintenance contractor.

21. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Before commencing work, check that the centrifuge is in a good state of repair, that is has previously been operating within normal parameters, and that there is no prohibition in place regarding its use. Do not use the centrifuge if you have any doubts about its performance.

22. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES For each use, the centrifuge must be allocated to the control of one operator only, supported by a competent person who will check everything before spinning. And each operator is responsible for ensuring that the machine is left clean and fit for use by others, or to report any faults experienced during the spin.

23. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Care must always be taken to ensure that centrifuge tubes are not cracked or flawed, and that all heads, trunnion-rings and buckets, as well as other working parts, are regularly inspected for defects by a competent person.

24. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES The extent to which centrifuge tubes should normally be filled varies with the type of rotor to be used, the material from which the tube is manufactured, and the nature of the substance to be spun. Loads must (of course) always be correctly balanced. Always, though, comply with manufacturer’s guidance regarding your choice of centrifuge tubes and how to use these.

25. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES The properties of centrifuge tubes must always be considered, as not all are equally suitable for all possible materials, and some may not be capable of sustaining very high speed centrifugation. Further information is available from manufacturers and suppliers. Once again, if in doubt, don’t guess … always ASK!

26. Never attempt to do this by merely ‘eyeball estimation’, however experienced you may think you are. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES For high speed centrifuges, opposing loads should be balanced to within a 0.1g tolerance - for all rotors. For general purpose bench-top centrifuges, the balance should be to within 1g.

27. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Tubes should normally be capped to minimise the possibility of spillage. Rotors or buckets should be removed from the centrifuge before removing lids or caps from tubes. Spillage, particularly into aluminium buckets, should be promptly managed to minimise the risk of corrosion

28. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES In some specific cases, where the risk assessment specifies it, rotors that have been used to spin down materials containing harmful substances may require to be transferred into a biological safety cabinet before opening tubes and extracting the contents. But this should not usually be necessary. And, in any event, care should be taken with rotors that may be quite heavy to lift and carry.

29. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Centrifuge lids must never be opened whilst the rotor is still in motion. Flammable liquids should never be centrifuged unless it is known that the centrifuge motor and control gear are spark-proof. Arrangements should always be made to deal with tube breakages and mechanical failures before either event occurs.

30. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES High speed centrifuges should only be used by trained and competent staff. Very great care should be taken to set up centrifuges correctly, with regard to balance etc, whether or not the device is equipped with automated imbalance detection systems. Lab coats etc should be worn (which, conspicuously, the operator in this picture is not doing!).

31. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES High speed centrifuges, which may be required to run for considerable periods of time, should be directly and closely monitored as they ramp up to the intended operating speed. Once again, pre-planned arrangements should be in place to deal with tube breakages and mechanical failures associated with an high speed centrifuge before an accident occurs.

32. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Log books have a very important role in ensuring that the specified durability of a rotor is not exceeded, either in terms of the time spent in use or the maximum forces exerted upon it, and must therefore always be completed by users, before commencing the spin. And ensure that everything is checked by a competent person (such as your laboratory manager), including the accuracy of log entries.

33. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Attention is drawn to any local rules that may exist for a laboratory, which may impose further restrictions on the use of high speed centrifuges (perhaps including prohibitions on use outside hours of expected buildings occupancy, for example).

34. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES For example, in the Chancellor’s Building, a local rule exists that prohibits use of high speed centrifuges assigned to DIPM anytime other than weekday (Monday to Friday) hours of 09:00-17:00, and not at all during weekends and holidays etc.

35. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Routine cleaning procedures … • Remove O-rings from lids etc, and wash rotors frequently. • Use a mild detergent (but not Decon 90, which may damage anodised surfaces). • Thoroughly rinse, using distilled water. • Air-dry the rotor upside down, resting it on soft paper towels.

36. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Use brushes with a soft plastic core to clean buckets etc, and not products with a metal core, as these can damage rotor surfaces. Re-lubricate O-rings using silicon-based vacuum grease, and lubricate metal threads using a manufacturer-recommended lubricant; these act as seals to prevent contents escaping from rotors, and are an important safety feature.

37. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Further information on mechanical safety, including that pertaining to centrifuges, is contained on the University’s Health & Safety web site at: http://www.docs.csg.ed.ac.uk/Safety/ Policy/Part4.pdf

38. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Problems and Questions Refer all other enquiries to your H&S Advisor, Senior Laboratory Manager or the Little France Buildings H&S Manager as soon as possible.

39. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES Lindsay Murray Health & Safety Manager, The University of Edinburgh, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine (Chancellor’s Building, Medical School and Queen’s Medical Research Institute), Little France Room SU225, Chancellor’s Building Ext: 26390 lgm@staffmail.ed.ac.uk

40. HEALTH & SAFETY @ LITTLE FRANCE CENTRIFUGES You have now completed this on-line training package summarising the correct use and potential limitations of centrifuges. Please also attend any additional training that may be organised by your senior laboratory manager. Thank you