Autoclaving and laundry policy

SCHOOL OF LIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AUTOCLAVING, GLASSWARE WASHING AND LAUNDRY POLICY
Last updated
12/7/2016
The following services are offered by the SOLES Service Centre, located in Building G08.
AUTOCLAVING
Media Sterilization
An autoclaving service is available for media sterilization with runs starting at 10 am, 12 pm and 2 pm daily,
Monday to Friday. All sterilized media will be ready for collection approximately 2 hours after drop off.
Biohazardous Waste (non-GMO)
All biological-contaminated waste (tips, gloves, eppendorf tubes, etc) should be diposed in a labelled biohazard
bag and transported in a second sealed container, and left in the designated biohazard drop off area near the
autoclaves on Level 2.
Biohazard waste can be dropped off at any time of day (Mon-Fri) for autoclaving. Biohazard material will be
disposed on your behalf after autoclaving.
GMO-Biohazardous Waste
When disposing of GMO-biohazardous waste, this needs to be secured in the designated secure OGTR caged
area. You must first see Trudie Smith or Max Francis to arrange a time when you can bring your GMO waste for
disposal.
Do not leave GMO waste in the designated biohazard drop off area - it is an offence to leave GMO waste in a
non-secure area.
GLASSWARE WASHING
Research glassware
All research glassware prior to dropping off to be washed should:
-
have stickers/labels removed
be rinsed with water if contained chemicals
(this does not apply to microbiological glassware that needs to be first autoclaved prior to cleaning)
All glassware used for research purposes should be dropped off prior to 3 pm (Mon-Fri), and will be ready for
collection after 3 pm. (Please allow 48 hours for the cleaning of all microbiological glassware)
Teaching glassware
All glassware used for teaching purposes should be dropped off in afternoon straight after lab classes have
finished. This glassware will be priority washed and ready for collection by 10 am next day.
It is not necessary to remove stickers on glassware used for teaching purposes.
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SCHOOL OF LIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
IN-HOUSE LAUNDRY SERVICE
Two sets of washing machines and dryers are utilised for in-house laundering.
-
One set will be used to launder labcoats, gowns, towels, etc used in the laboratory.
The second set will be used to launder normal domestic -use items such as tea-towels, towels, bed linen,
etc.
Drop off times
-
Monday before 12 pm, pick up Wednesday after 12 pm
Wednesday before 12 pm, pick up Friday after 12 pm
if ready, laundered labcoats may be put with other items to be collected
Labcoats laundering
All labcoats and gowns should be labelled with your name and lab number to ensure it’s return to the rightful
owner.
All demonstrator, teaching, research, PC1 and PC2 labcoats, gowns, etc will be laundered in the same manner.
All items must be collectively bagged and sealed in a labelled biohazard bag so that they can be autoclaved /
disinfected prior to laundering.
All labcoats with chemical spills should be spot rinsed prior to laundering (owner’s responsibility). Towels used to
clean up spills in the lab should also be rinsed thoroughly with water prior to be placed in biohazard bag.
SOLES Technical Operations
last updated 12 July 2016
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