Fictional Lab
Fictional location / SAFETY PROCEDURES
PROCEDURE FOR DECONTAMINATION OF LABORATORY EQUIPMENT / Document No.: Fictlab/009PR-06
Non-Smile Resource
Author: NA / Document Number: / Fac10-17
Effective (or Post) Date: / 26 Feb 09
Document Origin / Company: / Unknown
SMILE Approved by: / Jo Shim
SMILE Comments: This document is provided as an example only. It must be revised to accurately reflect your lab’s specific processes and/or specific protocol requirements. Users are directed to countercheck facts when considering their use in other applications. If you have any questions contact SMILE.
Document Title / Document No.:
(Title of Procedure)
Prepared by:
Name, Title / Name, Laboratory Quality Manager
History / Current Version # / Supersedes Version # / Effective Date
(dd/mm/yy) / Description Notes
1.0 / 0.0 / 02/08/2005 / First issue
Annual Review: / Review Date / Revision Date / Signature
Approved by: / Name, Title / Signature / Date
Laboratory Director
Laboratory Director
Distributed to: / Name/Location / # of Copies / Name/Location / # of Copies

009PR-06DECONTAMINATION OF LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

06.0Purpose

06.1Application Scope

06.2Responsibilities

06.3Procedure

06.4References

06.5Co-Applicable Quality Management Documents

06.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to prescribe procedures to be followed to safely and legally release laboratory equipment (for repair/service [in-house or off-site], relocation or disposal) which may potentially be contaminated with hazardous chemical or biological materials. Adherence to this procedure will ensure that laboratory personnel and members of the public are not needlessly exposed to potentially dangerous materials, and that no materials are inappropriately released to the environment.

06.1APPLICATION SCOPE

This procedure applies to all potentially contaminated equipment originating from Laboratory Name sections where hazardous chemicals or biologically hazardous materials are used or stored. This may include but is not limited to benches, autoclaves, centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers, incubators, Bio-Safety Cabinets, and analytical equipment (hereinafter “laboratory equipment”).

06.2RESPONSIBILITIES

The laboratory Safety Officer will ensure that all laboratory sections receive a copy of this procedure, are instructed that it is necessary to comply with the terms of this procedure, and will ensure that this procedure is followed.

Laboratory Name personnel will follow this procedure, and will refer any problems or questions to the laboratory Safety Officer and/or Laboratory Section Supervisor.

06.3PROCEDURE

All laboratory equipment contaminated with biohazardous materials shall be decontaminated before the release of the equipment.

Put on appropriate personal protective equipment (i.e. gloves, laboratory coat, safety glasses and face mask).

Decontamination chemicals should never be directly sprayed on electrical equipment i.e. computers, analysers, etc which have been exposed to biohazardous specimens.

  1. The equipment should be switched off and disconnected from its power source.
  2. Spray 0.5% sodium hypochlorite onto a clean paper towel (enough to dampen the paper towel and not to make dripping wet).
  3. Wipe the equipment and discard the used paper towel into a bin labelled ‘biohazardous waste’, lined with two autoclavable waste bags.
  4. Spray 70% ethanol onto a clean paper towel, also making sure that the towel has only been dampened.
  5. Wipe the contaminated area and discard the used paper towel into a bin labelled ‘biohazardous waste’, lined with two autoclavable waste bags.
  6. After the decontamination is completed and the equipment is dry, re-connect to the power source.
  7. The decontamination method shall be documented on the Equipment Decontamination Verification Form, and records shall be available for inspection as or when needed.
  8. All the waste should be disposed of properly as per LaboratoryWaste Disposal Policy.

The routine cleaning of equipment should be followed as per guidelines in the respective equipment manuals. Internal decontamination must be done in accordance with the manufacturers specifications.

If the equipment is being released from the lab, remove or deface all hazard labels.

Once the decontamination has been completed the Laboratory Safety Officer shall check the form and clear the equipment for release by signing and dating the relevant section of the form.

The Laboratory Director shall review the form and date and sign it.

A copy of the completed Equipment Decontamination Verification Form shall be affixed to the equipment. All sections of the form shall be completed with the relevant information of “N/A” as appropriate. The original form will be retained and shall be available for inspection as or when needed.

Equipment with No Potential for Contamination – Some equipment within the laboratory has no potential for contamination. This would include office equipment, food storage refridgerator, etc. No decontamination of this equipment is required and the “No Potential for Decontamination” box shall be ticked on the form. In addition the name, title and date should be completed, and the other sections may be left blank.

Equipment Release – Once the Equipment Decontamination Verification Form has been affixed to the equipment, it may be cleared for release.

Special Problems – All special or unusual problems will be referred to the laboratory Director and/or the laboratory Safety Officer.

06.4REFERENCES

Fictional Lab Safety Manual

06.5CO-APPLICABLE QUALITY MANAGEMENT DOCUMENTS

Waste Disposal Policy

Preparation of 0.5% Bleach and 70% Ethanol

Equipment Decontamination Verification Form

Universal Precautions Policy

This SOP has been read and understood by the undersigned:

Name of Officer / Signature / Initials / Date
Name of Officer / Signature / Initials / Date
Name of Officer / Signature / Initials / Date

Effective Date: 02/08/2005Doc. No.: Fictlab/009PR-06Version 1.0

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