Creation date: 25/10/2012 Last review date: 1/7/2014

Next review due: 1/7/2016 Page 1 of 2

Procedure: Scientific glassware washing School/Department: School of Molecular Bioscience SOP prepared by: Joseph Dimauro and Nick Coleman Version: SMB018.2

Section 1 - Personal Protective Equipment

1. Proper-fitting, buttoned-up Lab coat, closed in shoes, hair tied back. 2. Safety glasses which allow for good side vision should also be worn 3. Ensure foot wear is steady and non-slip type 4. Personnel must wear strong rubber gloves while handling wet glassware 5. Wash area needs to have open space to work, preferably an open floor plan so that trolleys can be

easily manoeuvred and area needs to be well vented to the outside or air conditioned. Section 2 – Potential Hazards + Safety precautions

1. Working with hot water and steam, skin burns can be a potential hazard, gloves and lab coat need to be worn when washing in progress.

2. Water spillages on the floor create a slippery work hazard, need sturdy rubber based shoes. Mops and bucket need to be located close to work area.

3. With glass breakages and spillages, sturdy rubber gloves need to be worn and a broken glassware box needs to be located close to wash area.

4. With large or multiple glassware items, lifting can be a hazard, personnel need to employ correct lifting procedures and ensure that they work within their capacity.

5. Area needs to be well organised with appropriate racks so that glassware boxes can be appropriately stored.

6. Hot glassware poses a risk of burns. Ensure plenty of time to allow glassware to cool down after wash and dry cycle. Handle with thick rubber gloves.

7. Ensure glassware boxes are not over filled and employ proper lifting procedures. 8. Ensure trolleys are sturdy and moving properly. Check wheels regularly. 9. Keep work area clear of clutter to avoid breakages.

Section 3 – Procedure 1. Glassware comes down to wash area in large boxes in an appropriate trolley 2. Dirty glassware is removed from boxes adjacent to sinks, and placed in hot water and allowed to

soak. Stickers are removed after soaking. 3. Following soaking, glassware is stacked carefully into commercial washers 4. After washing, and allowing time to cool-down, remove glassware from washer and carefully stack into dryers and turn on. 5. Once dried, allow time to cool down, return to appropriate box, restack in trolley 6. Once trolley is full, transport back to labs Section 4 – Disposal / Spills / Incidents

1. Broken glassware should be swept up and disposed of in dedicated broken glass discard containers. Ensure thick gloves are worn during clean up to avoid cuts.

2. Spilled water on the floor should be mopped up immediately to avoid slippage. Section 5 – Repairs / Certification / Validation

1. Ensure trolleys are working properly 2. Ensure glassware boxes are strong, sturdy and not too large.

Section 6 – Relevant safety data sheets & references 1. See also Risk Assessment for Glassware Washing, and risk assessment and SOP for Sharps

(SMB046) in event of any breakages.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

Creation date: 25/10/2012 Last review date: 1/7/2014

Next review due: 1/7/2016 Page 2 of 2

SOP Consultation, Training and Approval

Print names and enter signatures and dates to certify that the persons named in this section have been consulted/trained in relation to the development and implementation of this Standard Operating Procedure. WHS Representative (WHS Committee) certifies that consultation has taken place.

Position Name Signature Date Supervisor employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student employee / student

Name Authorising (Printed): DIANNE FISHER ....................................................... Signature: .............................................................. Date: 3/7/14 ..............................

WHS Committee Representative Name (Printed): MARKUS HOFER ................... Signature: .............................................................. Date: 22/7/14 ............................