16
passes in or out through the air barrier, until the procedure is completed. Implements should be
arranged in the cabinet's work area in logical order so that clean and dirty materials are segregated,
preferably on opposite sides of the work area. Blocking the front and rear perforated grilles must be
avoided. If wipes or absorbent towels are used on the work surface, be sure to keep them away from
the grilles.
6.
After equipment is in place inside the cabinet, adjust the sliding viewscreen so it is open no higher
than the correct access opening height ( 8”). An alarm will signal if that height is exceeded. This is
important to maintain proper airflow.
7.
After the cabinet has run for at least three minutes with the window in the proper position, it is ready
for use.
Working in the Cabinet
1.
Hands and arms should be washed thoroughly with germicidal soap both before and after work in the
cabinet. Operators are encouraged to wear long-sleeved gowns or lab coats with tight-fitting cuffs
and sterile gloves. This minimizes the shedding of skin flora into the work area and protects hands
and arms from contamination.
2.
Perform all work on the depressed area of the solid work surface. Work with a limited number of
slow movements. Since all of the equipment you need is already in the cabinet, it will not be
necessary to move your arms in and out through the air barrier.
3.
Because opening and closing doors in the laboratory causes air disturbance which might interfere
with cabinet airflow, this kind of activity should be kept to a minimum while the cabinet is in use.
Personnel should also avoid walking by the front of the cabinet while it is in use.
4.
Avoid using floor-type pipette discard canisters. It is important that your used pipettes be discarded
into a tray or other suitable container inside the cabinet. This reduces the temptation to move in and
out of the work area unnecessarily.
5.
Because of the restricted access, pipetting within the cabinet will require the use of pipetting aids.
6.
Use good aseptic technique. Procedures done with good technique and proper cabinet methods will
not require the use of a flame. If, however, a safety officer approves the use of flame after evaluating
the circumstances, then a burner with a pilot light such as the "Touch-O-Matic" should be used.
Place it at the rear of the work area where the air turbulence caused by the flame will have the least
possible effect. Flame disturbs the unidirectional airstream and also contributes to the heat load. If
the cabinet blower is unintentionally turned off, the flame could also damage a filter.
7.
Tubing for a burner within the cabinet should be resistant to cracking or puncture. Material such as
Tygon tubing is not acceptable for this use.
8.
Never operate your cabinet while the viewscreen alarm indicator is on.
The operating position of
the sash provides an 8” high access opening, depending on the design set at the factory. This
restricted opening permits optimum operating conditions for the cabinet. Because operators will not
all be the same height, it is suggested that the operator use a chair which may be adjusted for height.
9.
After a procedure has been completed, all equipment which has been in contact with the research
agent should be enclosed, and the entire surface decontaminated. Trays of discarded pipettes and
glassware should be covered. The cabinet should then be allowed to run for at least three minutes
Summary of Contents for SterilGARD SG303
Page 34: ...APPENDIX...
Page 36: ...34 SG303 Ladder Schematic...
