At MIT, autoclaves are used to sterilize waste and clean materials associated with biomedical research. The Autoclave Validation Program oversees compliance of biohazardous waste management at the state level (Massachusetts State Sanitary Code Chapter VIII 105 CMR 480.000) and assists in maintaining the institute’s international accreditation with AAALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care). The program is managed by the EHS Biosafety Program with local coordination and operational collaboration across the MIT campus campus.
The MIT Autoclave Validation Program performs challenge testing on all autoclaves used within MIT research facilities. Validation tests are performed with a small self-contained biological indicator containing a standard challenge population of Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores, a non-pathogenic thermophilic bacterium that are naturally resistant to high heat and pressure. Inactiviation of G. stearothermophilus spores can be achieved with a 16 minute exposure to typical autoclave conditions of 121°C and 15psi and as a result these spores are an ideal biological indicator of microbe viability after autoclave sterilization.
For liquids, leave cap slightly OPEN for effective steam penetration during autoclaving and to prevent pressurization of the container and spills inside the autoclave.
Leave bag OPEN for effective steam penetration during autoclaving.
Place waste bag in a secondary autoclave-proof container and run waste cycle (121°C, 15 psi, 60 minutes).
After the run, allow waste to cool for at least 10 minutes. Caution: The waste is hot. Wear appropriate PPE when handling hot waste
Failure to allow sufficient cooling time may result in injury.
Enter waste run in autoclave log binder, usually near equipment.
Place treated and tagged waste bags into regular waste for custodial pickup.
Please consult your EHS coordinator or BSP@mit.edu for questions and concerns.
Personal protective equipment (PPE):
safety glasses
long sleeves and lab coat
gloves rated for hot items
Sterilization of clean materials
Clean materials (wrapped, liquids, etc.) should be collected and placed in an autoclave-proof tray.
Run the appropriate cycle (121°C, 15 psi, at least 15 minutes).
After the run, allow load to cool for at least 10 minutes.
Caution: Failure to allow sufficient cooling time may result in injury.
Contact your facilities manager and/or EHS coordinator depending on your DLC.
Users are expected to post signage to indicate broken autoclaves and warn users.
Contact your EHS coordinator or biosafety officer to find alternative equipment or options.
Online training on autoclave safety is available through the MIT Atlas Learning Center.
Please go to the course catalog and search for the course name “Autoclave Safety Training” (EHS00254w).
You also must complete in-person training; this is typically done by your EHS Representative, experienced researcher, PI, or EHS coordinator.
Please check with your EHS representative for details.
Autoclaves are designated and labeled “for waste”, not all DLCs have autoclaves designated for waste, if you are not sure if you should autoclave your waste please consult with your Biosafety contact.
MIT disposes of biological/medical waste using biowaste boxes, primarily.
Biological/medical waste is autoclaved under certain conditions (permit requirements, only effective method of waste inactivation, per specific approved risk assessment, etc.).
Please consult with your biosafety officer if you have questions or concerns.
At MIT, autoclaves are used to sterilize waste and clean materials associated with biomedical research. The Autoclave Validation Program oversees compliance of biohazardous waste management at the state level (Massachusetts State Sanitary Code Chapter VIII 105 CMR 480.000) and assists in maintaining the institute’s international accreditation with AAALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care). The program is managed by the EHS Biosafety Program with local coordination and operational collaboration across the MIT campus campus.
The MIT Autoclave Validation Program performs challenge testing on all autoclaves used within MIT research facilities. Validation tests are performed with a small self-contained biological indicator containing a standard challenge population of Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores, a non-pathogenic thermophilic bacterium that are naturally resistant to high heat and pressure. Inactiviation of G. stearothermophilus spores can be achieved with a 16 minute exposure to typical autoclave conditions of 121°C and 15psi and as a result these spores are an ideal biological indicator of microbe viability after autoclave sterilization.
For liquids, leave cap slightly OPEN for effective steam penetration during autoclaving and to prevent pressurization of the container and spills inside the autoclave.
Leave bag OPEN for effective steam penetration during autoclaving.
Place waste bag in a secondary autoclave-proof container and run waste cycle (121°C, 15 psi, 60 minutes).
After the run, allow waste to cool for at least 10 minutes. Caution: The waste is hot. Wear appropriate PPE when handling hot waste
Failure to allow sufficient cooling time may result in injury.
Enter waste run in autoclave log binder, usually near equipment.
Place treated and tagged waste bags into regular waste for custodial pickup.
Please consult your EHS coordinator or BSP@mit.edu for questions and concerns.
Personal protective equipment (PPE):
safety glasses
long sleeves and lab coat
gloves rated for hot items
Sterilization of clean materials
Clean materials (wrapped, liquids, etc.) should be collected and placed in an autoclave-proof tray.
Run the appropriate cycle (121°C, 15 psi, at least 15 minutes).
After the run, allow load to cool for at least 10 minutes.
Caution: Failure to allow sufficient cooling time may result in injury.
Contact your facilities manager and/or EHS coordinator depending on your DLC.
Users are expected to post signage to indicate broken autoclaves and warn users.
Contact your EHS coordinator or biosafety officer to find alternative equipment or options.
Online training on autoclave safety is available through the MIT Atlas Learning Center.
Please go to the course catalog and search for the course name “Autoclave Safety Training” (EHS00254w).
You also must complete in-person training; this is typically done by your EHS Representative, experienced researcher, PI, or EHS coordinator.
Please check with your EHS representative for details.
Autoclaves are designated and labeled “for waste”, not all DLCs have autoclaves designated for waste, if you are not sure if you should autoclave your waste please consult with your Biosafety contact.
MIT disposes of biological/medical waste using biowaste boxes, primarily.
Biological/medical waste is autoclaved under certain conditions (permit requirements, only effective method of waste inactivation, per specific approved risk assessment, etc.).
Please consult with your biosafety officer if you have questions or concerns.
