This assessment covers the use of laboratory autoclaves for sterilising infected materials other than hazard group 4 biological agents, medical devices and equipment for use in human or animal healthcare.
Hazard and Risk
The principal hazards are:
infectious disease caused by failure to sterilise
contamination of products and other materials through failure to sterilise
trauma injury by explosive displacement or opening of a door or lid
trauma injury by explosion of sealed glass or other containers
puncture injury by needles and other sharps protruding through the walls of autoclaved containers
scalding by hot liquids, vaporised liquid or steam.