This near miss highlights the importance of Departments planning replacements and upgrades for ‘end of life’ equipment.

Recently during a run cycle of an autoclave in a Containment Level 3 laboratory, metal shims from the autoclave hinge were released at pressure, along with warping of the door gasket. The equipment, which was just under 20 years old, was serviced within the last 6 months and deemed fit for use as a ‘pressure vessel’.

Fortunately, no-one was in the laboratory at the time, so no injuries occurred. In addition, there was no release of harmful biological waste material, as the run cycle had reached the ‘hold’ temperature for the required time, which would achieve complete inactivation.

This incident, however, does inform us to check equipment that is coming to the end of its life span, which may necessitate more frequent formal checks. This incident should also prompt departments and research groups to budget and plan for replacements in good time. The laboratory also had an alternative procedure in place to arrange for safe movement and autoclaving of biological waste in a nearby Containment Level 3 facility which was triggered to prevent accumulation of untreated waste.