Centrifuges

Centrifuges

Breakage of tubes in centrifuges

When a tube breaks, some warning is usually given by a change in the noise of the centrifuge. Infected material will be distributed over all the surfaces in the bowl and moving parts. Immediately a breakage is suspected, the motor must be switched off. Then proceed as follows:-

  1. Allow 10 minutes for the aerosol and droplets to settle.
  2. Put on rubber gloves. If practicable, autoclave the buckets, broken tube(s) and contents after removal from the centrifuge. Otherwise immerse trunnions and head (if detachable) or rotor, in disinfectant solution (not hypochlorous acide which corrodes metal, but Hibitane solution 1 in 1000).
  3. Decontaminate the inside of the bowl with disinfectant.
  4. Rinse the bowl with water and allow todry. Rinse and dry the rotor or buckets, trunnions etc after autoclaving.