Flinders University
School of Chemical and Physical
Sciences
Safe Operating Procedure
Centrifuge-3500RPM
PPE
.
EYEWEAR
LATEX GLOVES
LAB COAT
COVERED SHOES
Centrifuge
SOP Number
RA Number
RA Score
CHEM00005
CHEM00005
Low
Contact Person
Sean Graney
SOP prepared by
David Vincent
12116
Date:
12/10/2011
Review Date :
12/10/2016
General
A centrifuge is used to separate liquid materials using high centrifugal forces. A 3500RPM
centrifuge does this by spinning at a maximum of 3500 revs per minute (RPM). Samples are
contained in either plastic or glass vials and these are placed into polymer vial holders that hang off
a central metal rotor. The lid is closed and the rotor is set to spin at a set RPM for a defined amount
of time.
Hazards and Risks
Failure of Vial Holders or Vials: even when used properly, centrifuge vials and holders are subject
to mechanical stress that can result in their failure if they are damaged. All vials and vial holders
must be inspected before starting the instrument and only used if no damage is evident. Vials or vial
holders exhibiting signs of damage must be discarded.
Vial Imbalance: Improper balancing of vials within the holders can induce vibration and this may
cause vials and/or vial holders to break while the rotor is spinning. If vibration is noticed, stop the
rotor spinning immediately and re-balance the vials.
If a vial breaks, the centrifuge should be turned off and allowed to stand undisturbed for an
appropriate amount of time before opening to allow aerosols to settle. Thirty (30) minutes is a
commonly recommended waiting period.
Entanglement: modern centrifuges have an interlocked lid that will not open until the rotor has
stopped spinning. If this feature does not exist or fails there is an entanglement hazard. Under no
circumstances should the lid be opened whilst the rotor is spinning.
Fumes, Vapours, Leakage, Hazardous Materials: If using hazardous materials, use the centrifuge
in a fumehood and not in an open area. All hazardous materials need to be risk assessed and an
MSDS must be available prior to use. To minimise the chance of leakage when spinning, do not
over-fill centrifuge vials.
Poor Housekeeping: Vials, vial holders, rotors, and centrifuge interiors should be cleaned after use.
Clean up any spills immediately using appropriate spill response procedures.
Training
Only authorised personnel who have received training may use a centrifuge. Untrained personnel
need to contact the supervisor in charge of the laboratory (see below) for the appropriate training
and all training must be recorded in the lab training register.
Name of responsible person: Lydia Dieu, Jane Kim, Peter Pfieffer, Julie Bails, Room 230
Before startup
Wear a lab-coat, safety glasses, gloves and protective footwear and ensure it is of a satisfactory
standard.
1. Make sure that samples are in sample vials that
(a) can withstand the required g forces,
(b) are made of material that is compatible with that of the sample medium, so will not
swell or crack
(c) fit correctly into the vial holders, and
(d) are sealed before centrifugation (including glass vials)
2. Do not fill the sample vials above maximum recommended level.
3. Before use, all vials and holders should be checked for cracks or any other damage.
4. Open the centrifuge lid with the red button. Check that the centrifuge chamber, drive spindle,
and tapered mounting surface of the rotor are clean and free of scratches or burrs.
5. Place the filled vials in the vial holders, ensuring that all sample are sealed for glass vials,
use the vial holders with separate 0-ringed lids
Checking vial
holders for
damage
6.
7. Ensuring that the vials and vial holders are properly balanced in the rotor; (opposing
samples must have the SAME WEIGHT), place the vial holders containing the vials in the
slots, (materials of similar densities must be in opposite positions of the rotor).
Vial holders must
have lids and be
balanced by
weight
8. Close the lid. Make sure it clicks shut. Check to make sure the rpm dial is set to ZERO
9. Set the time on the timer to how long you wish to centrifuge.
Close lid
until it clicks
and set timer
In operation
1. Press the red start/stop button and slowly increase the rpm to the desired speed using the dial
DO NOT START THE CENTRIFUGE WITH A HIGH RPM CHOSEN-START
SLOW AND WORK UP TO THE DESIRED SPEED.
Press Start/stop
and THEN slowly
increase RPM
2. Once a run is complete, make sure the rotor has COMPLETELY STOPPED before
opening the centrifuge lid by depressing the red stop/start button. Never attempt to open the
lid of a centrifuge or slow the rotor by hand while the rotor is in motion. Serious injury may
result.
3. Remove sample vials.
4. Remember to return the rpm dial back to zero when you are finished.
Clean-up procedures
After use, tubes, rotors, and centrifuge interiors should be cleaned. Rotors and other exposed parts
of centrifuges should always be kept clean free of chemicals and chemical residues. Metal rotors in
contact with moisture for extended periods of time may result in corrosion and equipment damage.
It is important that the rotor is left clean and dry after use. To avoid corrosion, do not expose
aluminum rotor components to strong acids or bases, alkaline lab detergents, or salts (chlorides) of
heavy metals (e.g., cesium, lead, silver or mercury)
Clean up spills immediately, using appropriate spill response procedures.
Definitions
RPM-revolutions per minute, the spinning speed of the rotor.
Vial-The tube containing the sample
Vial Holder-The plastic tube containing the vial that hangs from the central rotor
Hazards Identified
Failure of vials and vial holders
Entanglement
Vial imbalance
Fumes, vapours, hazardous materials
Housekeeping
Applicable Standards and References
Standard/ Reference
OHS Unit guidelines
Title
http://www.flinders.edu.au/ohsw/Plant/plant_page1.htm
Plant Item Details
Plant
Id No.
n/a
Serial No
n/a
Model No
Clements 150 and 325
Description of Plant
Centrifuge 3500RPM
Location Plant
Physical Sciences Laboratories
Equipment manual details
Type of manual(mark those appropriate) 
Location of Copies :

Operator
On server and next to instrument
Other (specify) ____________________________________________________
Breakdown Maintenance Details
Special service precautions (mark those appropriate) 
lockout 
tagout 
isolation 
confined space entry 
high voltage 
SOP Authorisation
Supervisor
Name:
Signature:
Date: