Autoclave: Biohazardous Waste

• Autoclaves can sterilize and decontaminate laboratory materials. However, only a few UCSD autoclaves are calibrated and permitted by San Diego County to process biohazardous waste.

• Look for the permit that designates the autoclave to be used to treat biohazardous waste.
• Check that a spore test to indicate proper sterilization was done within the last 30 days. Follow the directions that are provided with the Bacillus stearothermophilus spore test vials to ensure proper procedures.

• For efficient heat transfer, steam must flush the air out of the autoclave chamber. If the drain screen is blocked with debris, a layer of air may form at the bottom of the autoclave and prevent proper operation.
• Check the drain screen at the bottom of the chamber before using the autoclave. Clean out any debris.

• Read How to Package and Dispose of Biohazardous and Medical Waste for detailed instructions on how to prepare Biohazardous and medical waste.
• Sharps are devices or objects with corners, edges, or projections capable of cutting or piercing skin or regular waste bags.
• Read How to Dispose of Sharps for detailed instructions on how to package and label sharps in a red biohazardous sharps box.
  • Place containers in a rigid secondary container (see below for details on secondary containers.)
• Place autoclave indicator tape on the front of the sharps box without covering the label.
• Help UCSD Get the Lead Out! by using lead-free autoclave tape. Learn more 

• Polypropylene or stainless steels tubs are typically used for secondary containment.
• Make sure your plastic container is suitable for autoclaving. Plastic types can be identified by looking for initials imprinted on the bottom of the container.
• Use:
  • Polypropylene (PP, recycle #5)
  • Polycarbonate (PC, recycle #unavailable)

• If you are unsure about a new container, place it in an autoclave-safe container the first time.
• Examine containers for cracks, which may cause autoclaved biohazard waste to spill onto the operator.
• Select a container with the lowest sides and widest diameter possible for the autoclave.
• Leave space between items to allow steam circulation.

Steam sterilizing some plastics can produce toxic gasses.Do not autoclave these plastics:

• Polyethylene (PETE, recycle #1)
• High-density polyethylene (HDPE, recycle #2)
• Polyvinyl chloride
• Polystyrene      

Warning: Do not autoclave bleach solutions as they can produce toxic gas.

• Never leave items in the autoclave overnight.

• Be sure the door is sealed before selecting the cycle.

• Temperature: Sterilizing cycle temperature must be at least 250°F (121°C).
• Time: The sterilizing cycle must be at least 30 minutes.

• Select the liquid cycle (also called "slow exhaust" on some machines), as required by San Diego County regulations.
• Push the "start" button on the control panel to initiate the cycle.

• Each machine must have an autoclave log (PDF) (Word) where the operator records the date, time, type of waste and container, weight, cycle time, temperature and pressure for each autoclave cycle.

• Fill out the log while the autoclave is "charging," or starting.
• Ensure that the monthly spore tests are documented on the autoclave log.
• All test records and spore test vials must be kept on record for 3 years.

• If the running time or the temperature is incorrect, rerun the load. If the autoclave fails to maintain the correct time or temperature again, contact Facilities Management, (858) 534-2930.

• Wear personal protection equipment:
  • Heat-resistant gloves to remove items, especially hot glassware
  • Lab coat
  • Eye protection
  • Long Pants
  • Closed-toe shoes
• Wait for the pressure gauge to drop to zero with zero time remaining before opening the door.
• Never open an autoclave set for "slow exhaust" until the cycle is complete. Superheated liquids can boil over and damage the autoclave and injure the operator.
• Open the door cautiously. Stand behind the door and slowly open it. Allow all steam to escape before reaching inside.
• Let liquids stand another 10–20 minutes after the autoclave is opened to avoid any movement that could cause them to boil. Remove items carefully.

• Remove autoclaved waste immediately after the cycle is completed. Never leave items in an autoclave overnight.
• Place the red bagged autoclaved waste in your department's designated biohazardous waste collection area.