SAFETY NOTICE
29 MARCH 2016 (REPLACES SAFETY
NOTICE OF 23 FEBRUARY 2016)
Autoclaves for Biological Waste Sterilisation
Background
This notice applies to all UQ personnel who use or provide maintenance
of autoclaves used to sterilise biologicals waste.
Recently an audit was conducted throughout UQ of autoclaves used to
process biological waste, in order to determine if they meet legislative
requirements. Biological waste requiring legislative compliance includes:
o Infectious material of risk group 2 or higher
o Genetically modified organisms or microorganisms
o Quarantine material
If the biological material does not fall into any of the categories above,
then it does not require autoclaving, but rather must be disposed of
directly into the clinical waste stream, where it will be treated by the
approved UQ contractor using high temperature incineration.
The legislative requirements differ for each type of waste, however in all
cases, the autoclaves must meet containment and OHS requirements.
Implications and Recommended Practices
In many cases autoclaves remove air from the sterilisation chamber
prior to the sterilisation cycle, and this air is unfiltered. Whilst the risk is relatively low, the following practices
should be adopted across the University when autoclaving biological waste to ensure aerosols are not produced
prior to sterilisation:
o Autoclave bags are to be sealed prior to autoclaving, and
o These bags are not to be slashed or left open, and
o Any loads of ‘dry’ material should have a small amount of moisture added to the bag/load before sealing the
autoclave bag to ensure adequate steam for sterilisation within the bag/container (no more than 100-200mL
added to either animal cages with bedding or loads with absorbent material).
o Ensure adequate air space in the bag (ullage) is allowed for before sealing the autoclave bag/container.
Note: 1 part of liquid water expands to 1700 times the volume as steam when boiled
This method has been tested with spore tests and the sterilisation is effective providing there is adequate moisture
within the autoclave bag prior to sealing.
The minimum compliance requirements for autoclaving biological waste are:
• Infectious and/or GMO/GMMO waste:
o The densest part of the load must be exposed to 121⁰C and 103kPa for a minimum of 15 minutes.
o Each load must be marked with an indicator (e.g. indicator tape that changes colour when the correct
temperature has been reached) to distinguish between sterilised and non-sterilised loads, or chemical
indicators (progressively changes colour with the time exposed at specified temperatures)
o The autoclave must be tested for effectiveness monthly using a biological indicator or bacterial enzyme
indicator
o The autoclave must be serviced and calibrated annually, and a copy of the calibration record including testrun to be retained locally or by P&F (whoever is the owner of the autoclave)
• Quarantine waste:
o Quarantine waste that is also infectious or GMO or GMMO must be treated as per Quarantine waste
o All quarantine waste must be double bagged within Quarantine Waste bins and for ‘dry’ loads the
water/ice must be added into the primary bag before sealing
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
A log must be kept of the specific material autoclaved (template supplied in Yellow Folder)
The densest part of the load must be exposed to 121⁰C and 103kPa (15psi) for a minimum of 30 minutes
Each load must have a printout as proof of the run or if not fitted with a logger and printer you must use
an indicator such as tape or chemical indicators (as for infectious waste above)
The autoclave must be tested for effectiveness monthly using a biological indicator or bacterial enzyme
indicator (even if there has not been quarantine waste processed in that month)
The autoclave must be serviced and calibrated annually, and the test run must be conducted for the full 30
minutes at 121⁰C, and a copy of the service and test record to be retained locally (e.g. by the Facility
Manager for audit purposes)
Keep all printouts of quarantine waste runs for audit purposes
The autoclave and associated records will be audited by Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
Biosecurity Officers at least annually
Future Compliance
OHS-Biosafety is meeting with industry experts to determine if the current autoclaves can be retro-fitted in order to
meet full compliance requirements. In the meantime, the practices outlined in the section above, should be strictly
adhered to, to ensure continued safety of personnel.
If your School or organisational unit is considering purchasing a new autoclave for the processing of waste, please
contact FBS-procurement or OHS-Biosafety for advice on autoclave requirements prior to purchase. We can refer
you to the relevant Australian Standards and Legislative requirements.
Example of calibration test-run
(note quarantine requires no less than 30 minutes at 121⁰C)
Autoclave Indicator Tape
Chemical Indicators
Contact for Additional Information
Autoclave waste bags examples
Biological Indicators
For further information, contact your local Work Health and Safety Manager/Coordinator, or the UQ OHS Division:
Phone: 336 52365, Email: [email protected] or OHS-Biosafety at [email protected].