Autoclave Facility Induction ( PDF 1689k) - Griffith University

School of BPS 

Nathan Campus 

Autoclave Facility Induction 

(N34, N55, G39) 

School of BPS

Induction must be completed prior to use of the autoclave facility. 

As part of your work as either staff or RHD candidate in the School of 

BPS, you may require the use of the autoclave facility. 

As part of our duty of care and as required by the relevant Acts that 

regulate the facility (Gene Technology 2000, Quarantine 1908), it is 

mandatory that you complete an induction before you are permitted 

access and use of the facility. 

Staff and RHD candidates are also required to attend relevant O-Week 

Health and Safety training sessions relating to the biological sciences 

(see below) 

School of BPS 2

Aim of Induction: 

• Proper Housekeeping 

• Facility maintenance 

• Compliance with relevant Acts 

• Gene Technology Act (2000) 

• Quarantine Act (1908) 

• Non-compliance = Breaking law 

School of BPS 3

Associated Training and Links 

• GU Orientation-Week H&S Training 

• Genetic and General Biosafety 

• General OHS Obligations 

• OGTR (http://www.ogtr.gov.au/) 

• AQIS (http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis) 

School of BPS 4

General Disclaimer: 

• Errors and Omissions Excepted. 

• The information contained in this booklet is not intended as a comprehensive 

information package. 

• The information contained in this booklet is provided, in good faith, as a 

generic guide. 

• The User is responsible for ensuring they are familiar with safe, appropriate 

work practices and the correct operating procedures of the autoclaves in this 

facility. 

• Users are advised to consult the operating instructions included and/or the 

manufacturers user manuals for more detailed information. 

• The operating instructions are transcribed as best possible from information as 

advised during initial training, by the Supplier. 

School of BPS 5

Health and Safety 

Autoclave Facility Emergency Apparatus 

• Identify and locate the following in the facility: 

‣ Autoclave emergency shutdown &/or mains power switches 

‣ Biohazard Spill Kit 

‣ Chemical Spill Kit 

‣ First Aid Kit 

‣ Safety Shower 

‣ Fire extinguishers/hoses and blankets 

‣ Emergency procedures and assembly points 

School of BPS 6

. 

Risk Assessment 

• Identify the risks and hazards 

• Users are the primary hazard! 

• Incorrect transport, handling and processing of materials 

• Incorrect loading/operation of plant 

• Inadequate maintenance of plant 

= potentially hazardous outcomes 

School of BPS 7

Hazards 

‣ Biological hazard 

Potential outcome = Infection 

‣ Heat & Pressure (121 o C @ pressure!) 

Potential outcome = Burns/scalds 

• Hot plant 

• Hot material 

• Residual steam 

• Hot packaging 

‣ Slip hazard 

Potential outcome = Fall Injury 

• Residual moisture on floor 

‣ Electrical hazard 

Potential outcome = Electrocution 

• Residual moisture on floor + potential electrical faults 

School of BPS 8

Administrative Controls 

• The 2.47, N34 facility is regulated by Australian Quarantine Inspection 

Services (AQIS) and the Office of Gene Technology Regulators (OGTR) 

• ALL work practices under those Acts apply. 

• PPE compliance requirements apply (lab coat, fully covered footwear etc) 

• Disposable coats are available in the facility 

• Heat insulating gloves, providing complete coverage of hands and 

forearms, must be worn when loading and unloading the autoclave. 

• Security (doors closed/locked at all times) 

• Appropriate signage (if applicable) indicating type of work (e.g. Quarantine 

Work in Progress) 

School of BPS 9

Documentation/Records 

• Autoclave Logbooks 

• There is a logbook for each autoclave 

• Routine documentation of cycle details is required. 

• Details of every run must be documented and any issues noted in the log book 

for that autoclave 

• In the event of a run failure, record the error message in the Comments/Problems 

column. 

School of BPS 10

Documentation/Records cont. 

• Records are used for maintenance/service schedules and reporting of 

incidents, accidents and/or faults. 

• Entries should include: 

• Operator name and contact details 

• Date/time/run type/run temperature/run duration 

• Nature of material autoclaved (Quarantine/OGTR waste, 

Liquid/Solid etc) 

• Description of transport to and from autoclave then subsequent 

disposal of all waste autoclaved. 

• Comments and Problems 

• AQIS Order Number And %Quantity of quarantine material 

autoclaved 

School of BPS 11

Documentation/Records cont 

• Regular cleaning and maintenance must be recorded. 

• Users are responsible for the general cleanliness of the autoclaves and the facility 

• Any spills/boilovers must be attended to immediately by the user and noted in the 

logbooks 

School of BPS 12

Maintenance 

• Regular inspection, service and certification of 

autoclave performance are compulsory to meet 

AQIS and OGTR compliance requirements. 

• Spore Testing (monthly) is required to verify the 

sterilisation function of the autoclave. 

• Users are advised to determine if this is 

procedure is being carried out. 

• Your work/research may be 

compromised if it isn't. 

• An external service provider will undertake regular 

maintenance programmes (calibration/service). 

• Service programmes meet regulatory compliance 

requirements (AQIS/OGTR). 

• Service records are kept for audit purposes 

Spore Testing 

School of BPS 13

• Users are responsible for contributing to and ensuring the proper 

housekeeping and maintenance of the facility 

• Users are responsible for the general cleanliness of the autoclaves 

and the facility 

• Use of drip/spill trays is required when processing liquid or waste 

loads 

• Any spills/boilovers must be attended to immediately by the 

user 

School of BPS 14

Material Transport 

• You have a duty of care to others 

when transporting material both to and 

from the autoclave facility. 

• Transport materials in a safe and 

secure way through the common use 

corridors. 

• Only transport or lift loads that are 

within your capability. 

• Use a trolley for transporting large 

loads. 

• AQIS/OGTR material needs to be 

transported according to the regulatory 

requirements for your licence. 

School of BPS 15

• In the event of a spill, a Biohazard 

Spill Kit is located in 2.47 N34. 

• Ensure you are familiar with the 

appropriate AS2243.3 

Biohazard Spill procedure. 

• See “Treatment and Disposal 

of Waste” for further 

information relating to spills. 

Facility Biohazard and Chemical Spill Kits 

School of BPS 16

Material Suitability 

• The user is responsible for ensuring 

that the material is safe to autoclave 

• DO NOT autoclave material 

that may emit toxic fumes (e.g. 

hypochlorite = chlorine vapours) 

• The user should determine material 

suitability and find alternative 

sterilisation methods if the material is 

not suitable for autoclaving. 

School of BPS 17

Loading/Packaging 

• Use Autoclave Tape as an indicator to 

distinguish processed from non-processed 

• Liquid and Waste material 

• The user MUST place liquid or waste 

items in an autoclavable basket, drip 

or spill tray 

Unprocessed 

Processed 

• Package material appropriately 

• Bottles 

• Loosen all lids 

• Maximum of 2/3rds full, with 

lids loosened. 

Spill Trays 

Waste in autoclavable tote over spill tray 

School of BPS 18

Unloading 

• Wear PPE when unloading. 

• Allow sterilised material to stand for 1-2 minutes. 

• This will allow steam to clear and trapped air to escape from hot liquids, reducing operator risk. 

• Users have a duty of care to others when transporting material to and from the autoclave facility. Users have an 

obligation under the Act to ensure that nobody is exposed to injury (death or illness). 

• When transporting hot materials from the autoclave room to the laboratory, ensure the safety of 

others by use of signage (e.g. ‘CAUTION HOT’) 

School of BPS 19

Treatment and Disposal of Waste 

• ALL waste is to be autoclaved at 121 o C x 30 minutes (Program 3) 

• Quarantine or OGTR waste is to be treated and disposed of according to the 

appropriate licensing procedures. 

• All waste is to be removed from the facility and disposed of immediately. 

School of BPS 20

Packaging of Waste 

• Solid Waste 

• Autoclavable bags of waste to be placed in an autoclavable 

basket/bucket etc, on top of a spill tray 

• Open during sterilising to allow for permeation of steam. 

• Solid waste is anything that is not a liquid i.e. agar plates, 

paper towel, disposable pipettes etc. 

• Liquid Waste 

• Lids of bottles/vessels are to be loosened prior to autoclaving to allow for 

steam penetration. 

School of BPS 21

Transport of Waste 

• Solid Waste 

• Seal solid waste in autoclave bags and transport inside non permeable, leak proof container with lid. 

• After autoclaving, seal inside black garbage bag, place inside transport container with lid and dispose 

of bags of waste in purple or yellow bin in cold room. 

• Disinfect transport container after each use (disinfect according to Australian Standards) 

• Liquid waste 

• Transport liquid waste in sealed vessel that is placed inside non-permeable, leak proof container with 

lid. 

• Once autoclaved, all liquid waste can be flushed down the sink in the autoclave room with plenty of 

water. 

• Vessels are placed back inside transport container and returned to the laboratory for washing. 

• Disinfect transport container after each use (disinfect according to Australian Standards) 

School of BPS 22

Quarantine Compliance 

AQIS require the following information to be visually present at all times in any autoclaving facility in which quarantine 

material is being destroyed. 

» Service details for autoclave in question. 

» Regular maintenance details and records for the autoclave in 

question. 

» Monthly spore test records and procedure for spore testing. 

» Logbook with column for recording information pertaining to 

quarantine material being destroyed. 

» Procedures for transport, destruction and disposal of quarantine 

material 

School of BPS 23

Quarantine Compliance cont. 

• Essentially, quarantine operators are required to have a full CRADLE TO GRAVE set of records 

that enable AQIS to track the material from the time it arrives in the quarantine approved 

premise (QAP) through to when it is destroyed in this facility (if applicable) 

• The autoclave records in this facility should indicate if the material processed was quarantine 

material so that it can be linked back to the relevant QAP Facility Folder records. 

School of BPS 24

CONTACTS: 

• In the event of a major injury or malfunction contact SECURITY (7777) 

• Always report any incidents (near misses and/or injuries or major malfunctions) via 

the incident report forms on the HRM website (GSafe) 

Security: 7777 

Medical Centre: 57299 

SEET Technical Manager: 57552 

(George Klich) 

School of BPS 25

Facility Images 

School of BPS 26

Facility Images cont. 

Fire Stairwell 

Facility Entrance 

Room 2.47, Building N34 

Emergency Evacuation Floor Plan 

School of BPS 27


Fire Extinguisher Fire Blanket Fire Hose 

School of BPS 28


First Aid Kit 

Spill Kits 

Biohazard and Chemical 

School of BPS 29

Getinge Instructions and Images 

School of BPS 30

Getinge 

Printer 

Power 

Display Panel 

Emergency Shutdown 

School of BPS 31

GETINGE OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS 

Main Switch: 

Power 

1. Turning the Getinge ON 

(Blue Area) 

• “ON” = (I) position. 

• “OFF” = (O) position. 

• Check the printer paper 

Emergency Shutdown 

School of BPS 32


2. The autoclave will boot up and 

default to a main display 

screen 

School of BPS 33


3. If the ALARM sounds during power up: 

• Press the “Clear Alarm” button ONCE to 

silence the alarm 

• Press the “Clear Alarm” button a SECOND 

time to clear/re-set 

School of BPS 34


4. Loading Autoclave: 

• Opening Door: 

• Press the “Open Door” button 

School of BPS 35


5. Align the trolley with the chamber inner rails. 

6. Lock the trolley to the chamber with the black handle and lock the 

wheels of the trolley. 

7. Pull the inner chamber basket out onto the trolley. 

8. Load the chamber basket with your material. 

Liquids Run? 

Inner Chamber Basket 

Lock 

• Place any liquids run material onto an autoclavable spill tray 

• Submerge the probe tip in a separate, small bottle of water. A run 

failure will occur without a submerged probe tip. 

Probe Tip 

School of BPS 36


9. Press the “Close Door” button 10. Confirm “Doors Closed” light is on. 

School of BPS 37


GETINGE PROGRAMMED CYCLES 

PROGRAM 

NUMBER 

1. 

Cleaning 

2. 

Instruments 

(Dry Run) 

3. 

Waste 

4. 

Liquids 

5. 

Liquids 

(Fo Cycle) 

TEMP STERILIZING TIME DRYING TIME EXHAUST TYPES OF USE 

134C 3 minutes 0 minutes Fast For cleaning of autoclave 

chamber 

121C 20 minutes 10 minutes Fast Dry material e.g. tips, 

glassware, test tubes, 

Instruments. 

121C 30 minutes 0 minutes Fast Waste material e.g. 

Paper towel, gloves, agar 

plates, liquids and 

Quarantine waste. 

121C 20 minutes 0 minutes Slow Liquid material e.g. agars, 

broths, buffers, water or 

plastics unable to undergo a 

dry cycle 

121C 15minutes 0 minutes Sensitive media that requires 

exact sterilisation times. 

Password required 

School of BPS 38


PROGRAM CYCLE SELECTION: 

11. Choose an appropriate program number from the 

“Getinge Programmed Cycles” sheet 

12. Press the “Select Cycle ” button on the Getinge 

display screen. 

13. Use the arrows to Scroll to the appropriate 

program number. 

14. Press “Enter” 

15. Press “OK” 

NOTE: Failure to press “Enter” AND “OK” 

will result in the re-loading and running of 

the previous cycle. 

(12) 

(13) 

16. Press the START key. 

Record autoclave use in the Getinge logbook, 

including the end cycle printout details. 

(14) 

(15) 

School of BPS 39


Unloading material: 

• At the end f the cycle: 

17. Put on your PPE 

18. Press “Open Door” 

19. Engage the trolley 

20. Pull out inner chamber basket 

• Allow any residual steam to escape from your autoclaved 

goods then carefully unload on to a trolley. 

• Allow your goods to cool before transporting from the 

autoclave room or place “CAUTION: HOT!” sign when 

transporting the material. 

• DISPOSE of any WASTE IMMEDIATELY. 

• CLEAN UP any SPILLS IMMEDIATELY. 

• If the autoclave is no longer required, ensure the door is closed 

then turn it OFF at the Main Switch (O) 

School of BPS 40


ENSURE THAT ALL LICENCSING REQUIREMENTS (AQIS, OGTR) ARE 

FULFILLED WHEN TRANSPORTING AND AUTOCLAVING MATERIALS. 

School of BPS 41


Note: 

• Alarm Sounding? 

• Successful Run – an alarm will be 

accompanied by a GREEN flagging of your 

cycle program on the main display screen 

• Failed Run – an alarm will be accompanied 

by a RED flagging of your cycle program on 

the main display screen 

• Determine why the run was 

unsuccessful and rectify. 

• To CLEAR Alarm 

• Press the ALARM button ONCE to 

silence the alarm 

• Press the ALARM button a 

SECOND time to re-set the 

autoclave 

School of BPS 42

Tuttnauer Instructions & Images 

School of BPS 43

TUTTNAUER OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS 

Door Handle 

Display Screen 

Printer 

School of BPS 44


1.Check autoclave is on. 

School of BPS 45


2. Check water level – top up with R.O. 

water if necessary – DO NOT 

OVERFILL 

Reservoir 

RO Water Supply 

School of BPS 46


3. Put on PPE - gloves, safety glasses and lab 

coat. 

4. Check that all items can be sterilized. 

5. Load items into autoclave on tray. 

6. Do not let any items touch the chamber wall. 

School of BPS 47


TUTTNAUER PROGRAMMED CYCLES 

PROGRAM 

NUMBER 

1. 

Instruments 

2. 

Instruments 

(Dry Run) 

3. 

Waste 

4. 

Liquids 

5. 

Liquids 

TEMP 

STERILIZING 

TIME 

DRYING TIME EXHAUST TYPES OF USE 

134C 3 minutes 0 minutes Fast For cleaning of autoclave 

chamber 

121C 20 minutes 10 minutes Fast Dry material e.g. tips, 

glassware, test tubes, 

Instruments. 

121C 30 minutes 0 minutes Fast Waste material e.g. 

Paper towel, gloves, agar 

plates, liquids and 

Quarantine waste. 

121C 20 minutes 0 minutes Slow For liquid material e.g. 

agars, broths, buffers, 

water or plastics unable 

to undergo a dry cycle 

121C 20minutes 0 minutes Slow This is a faster liquid 

cycle with an end 

temperature of 95C. 

Care must be taken when 

opening door and 

unloading chamber. 

School of BPS 48


7. Select the appropriate cycle using SEL CYCLE key. 

8. Check parameters using the PARAMETERS key. 

Select Cycle 

Programs 

School of BPS 49


9. Securely shut the door of the autoclave by turning door handle CLOCKWISE. 

10. Press START key. (For cycles 1 and 2 you will have to press START button twice). 

Start/Stop Button 

School of BPS 50


11. Record autoclave use in the logbook. 

12. When END message is displayed, pressure is 100kPa or 0 psi and 

temperature is below 95C then you may open the door. 

13. Put on PPE - gloves, safety glasses and lab coat. 

School of BPS 51


14. Press the key, and then rotate the door handle ANTICLOCKWISE, then 

CLOCKWISE, and then ANTICLOCKWISE again. The door will open. 

15. Stand to one side when you open the autoclave door to avoid getting scalded by 

escaping steam. 

16. Allow any residual steam to escape from your autoclaved goods then carefully 

unload on to a trolley. 

17. Allow your goods to cool before transporting from the autoclave room or place a 

“CAUTION: HOT!” sign with the material. 

School of BPS 52


ENSURE THAT ALL LICENCSING REQUIREMENTS (AQIS, OGTR) ARE 

FULFILLED WHEN TRANSPORTING AND AUTOCLAVING MATERIALS. 

School of BPS 53

Getinge: 

Getinge Service Technician: 

0413 144413 (Craig Robertson) 

Tuttnauer: 

STS Tech Staff (Tuttnauer ONLY): 

ext. 56528 (Perry Plummer) 

School of BPS 54

You have now completed the on-line 

BPS Autoclave Facility Induction. 

Please print out the pdf version and fillin 

and sign the "Autoclave Induction 

Registration Certificate". 

Save paper 

Print the pdf as 4 pages per sheet. 

School of BPS 55

Autoclave Induction Registration Certificate 

This Registration Certificate enables 

to use the BPS Autoclave Facilities. 

By signing below I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understood all components of Griffith University’s School of BPS Autoclave on-line induction. 

I agree to abide by the guidelines outlined in this induction and the Griffith University’s Laboratory and Biosafety Guidelines. 

I also agree to abide by: 

• The Gene Technology Act (2000) 

• The Quarantine Act (1908) 

• The National Health Security Act (2007) and 

• The Australian Standards (Safety in Laboratories Microbiological Aspects & Containment) 2243.3:2002 

I agree to keep a copy of this certificate for my records, provide a copy to my supervisor and place appropriately signed original in the BPS Autoclave Facility 

Registrants folder which is located in Science II Building (N34) Room 2.47. 

Registrant Name & Signature 

Date 

Supervisor Name & Signature (for undergraduates & postgraduates) 

Date 

Head of School (or Nominee) Signature 

Date 

School of BPS 56

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