Name of Laboratory : Chitungwiza Central Hospital

Department : Quality
Document Number :
Title : Correct Use Of a Centrifuge

1.

Revision Number : 0
Effective Date : 26/09/2012
Page number
Authorized By :

RESPONSIBILITY : Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Laboratory Technician.

2. METHOD
1. Place the centrifuge on a firm level bench out of direct sunlight, towards the back of the
bench. Leave a clear area of 30cm around the centrifuge.
2. Read the manufacturers instructions and turn on the power.
3. Whenever possible use plasting tubes made from polysterene or autoclavable copolymer or
polypropylene.
-Do not use thin walled glass tubes because they will break easily even when applying low
RCF.
4. When using glass tubes use round-bottomed tubes as these are loss easily broken.
-Examine tubes for cracks.
5. When using a swing-out rotor centrifuge, make sure the tubes are not too long otherwise
they will be broken when the buckets swing out to their horizontal position.
6. Cap tubes or containers and do not overfill them.
-Leave a gap of at least 20mm from the top of the fluid to the rim of the tube.
7. Do not insert a cotton wool plug or other loose fitting bring in a tube because this
will be forced down into the fluid during centrifugation.
8. Balance the centrifuge.
9. Make sure the contents on each side of the centrifuge are balanced.
10. Do not centrifuge at a higher speed or for a longer period than is necessary.
11. Never open the centrifuge until the motor has stopped and the rotor has stopped
spinning otherwise infectious aerosols may be sprayed into the laboratory.
12. Turn off the centrifuge and remove the plug from the wall socket at the end of
each days work and whenever there is an electrical storm.