Autoclave Safety

An autoclave is capable of rendering items sterile of any living organisms by using hot, pressurized steam. Autoclaves are commonly used in laboratories to sterilize glassware and instruments, media and solutions, and biohazardous waste. The hazards associated with autoclave use include heat, steam, and pressure. Familiarize yourself with the hazards and know how to protect yourself before operating an autoclave. Do not operate an autoclave until you have been trained how to do so safely. Watch Arizona State University's excellent autoclave training video.

All operating autoclaves are required to have:

• A designated responsible person who will train users and inform them if the autoclave is out of service.
• Documented training for anyone who operates the autoclave. Use the autoclave training log to document.

Training for autoclave users must include the EH&S General Autoclave Safety Guidelines in addition to any site-specific procedures for the autoclave in use.

Steam sterilization with an autoclave effectively inactivates most infectious agents. A properly operating autoclave renders biohazardous waste sterile so that it can be disposed of safely via municipal waste. By following operation and monitoring requirements, you help protect the health and safety of autoclave operators, waste handlers, the general public, and the environment. 

All autoclaves used to decontaminate biohazardous waste are required to:

• Follow the General Autoclave Safety Guidelines and training requirements.
• Follow the Autoclaving Biohazardous Waste Guidelines and training requirements.
• Implementhttps://www.ehs.washington.edu/resource/general-autoclave-safety-97 a site-specific procedure for autoclaving biohazardous waste. A template SOP is available.
• Maintain autoclave records for at least six years.

It is the responsibility of the principal investigator, lab/facility manager, and/or department to ensure compliance with all autoclave safety guidelines and the UW Biohazardous Waste Management Plan. Steam sterilization of biohazardous waste with an autoclave must be done in accordance with Seattle Municipal Code, Section 21.43.050 and King County Board of Health, Title 10.07.

Chemical integrators

The only chemical integrators approved for use by the Seattle-King County Health Department are listed below and are available for purchase from Fisher Scientific or other lab supply vendors:

• 3M Comply Thermalog or Thermalog-S
• Steriscan
• 3M Attest Steam Integrator 1243A
• 3M Attest Steam Integrator 1243B
• Steris VERIFY™ STEAM Integrating Indicator
• Crosstex STEAMPlus™ Class 5 Sterilization Integrator
• 3M Comply SteriGage (no longer manufactured but existing integrators can be used prior to expiration)

Use the autoclave tools and templates developed by EH&S to keep you safe and compliant:

• General Autoclave Safety Guidelines
• Autoclaving Biohazardous Waste Guidelines
• Autoclaving Biohazardous Waste SOP Template
• Autoclave Training Log
• Autoclave Biological Indicator Quality Control Checklist
• Autoclave Log Sheet

EH&S Biosafety performs routine audits of sites that use an autoclave to treat biohazardous waste prior to disposal. The purpose of the audits are to ensure autoclaves are operated in a safe manner, that required monitoring processes are implemented, and that compliance information is appropriately documented.

EH&S biosafety officers can assist with training, consultation and help with any biosafety questions. If you plan to generate mixed waste (i.e., biohazardous and radioactive), please contact EH&S first.

UW personnel are required to submit an incident report to Environmental Health & Safety for any work-related event that results in an injury, illness, exposure to hazardous materials, property damage, or fire, regardless of the work location. UW personnel are highly encouraged to submit work-related near-miss events. Visit the Incident Reporting page for more information.

Notify EH&S immediately (after first aid/medical care/emergency services) if the incident involves recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids or genetically modified organisms.

• During EH&S business hours: (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday) call (206) 221-7770.
• Outside of EH&S business hours: call the UW Police Department at (206) 685-8973 to reach EH&S on-call staff.