Purpose
To provide a framework for the safe operation and inspection of Vessels and autoclaves owned or managed by our company.
Scope
This guideline applies to all company staff including contractors, temps, trainees, student work experience persons and volunteers.
Guidelines
General requirements
Our company owns and controls a number of autoclaves. Some of these pressure vessels are classified as a high-risk plant under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. WorkSafe Australia has an ongoing program of site visits focussing on autoclaves and other pressure vessels.
Pressure vessels are classified (by AS 4343 Pressure equipment – Hazard Levels) according to maximum volume, operating pressure, type of fluid/gas and type of door closure. The regulatory requirements for each pressure vessel depend on the hazard level classification. The pressure vessel should have a plate on it with the Hazard Level A to E.
Compliance Procedure
- Obtain Code of Practice (COP) for the plant
- Download this from WorkSafe
- Nominate a competent person to coordinate the compliance program
- Safety Advisor to manage appointment and responsibilities
- Conduct inspections of all pressure plant
- Record specifics of all pieces or pressure plant
- Create a Pressure Plant Register
- Whirligig has a designated register for plant and equipment
- Create a designated risk assessment proforma, carry out a hazard identification and risk assessment
- Ensure hazard identification and risk assessment (model proforma) has been completed and documented in accordance with the WHS Regulations 2011. A copy of the hazard identification and risk assessment should be kept with the item of plant.
- Review the risk assessment and identify appropriate risk controls
- Risk assessments must be reviewed when the new plant is used, processes change or at least every year. The hazard identification, risk assessment and control process should be undertaken in consultation with users of the plant and the relevant Health and Safety Representative (HSR).
- Risk assessments must be reviewed when the new plant is used, processes change or at least every year.
- The hazard identification, risk assessment and control process should be undertaken in consultation with users of the plant and the relevant Health and Safety Representative (HSR).
- Conduct skills assessments for all operators and provide information relevant to the safe operation of the plant
- A record of training must be made and should be kept with the item of plant. Records must be kept for five years. Train staff and supervisors so that they have an appreciation of the hazards involved and why the controls are necessary. Ensure refresher and induction training is also provided
- Ensure staff, supervisors, students, contractors can demonstrate competencies with regard to safe work practices
- Provide appropriate levels of supervision especially with new workers
- Carry out regular reviews of risk control measures
- to monitor the implementation
- to ensure their effectiveness,
- when there are changes to plant or procedures,
- at least every year.
- Ensure that autoclaves and other plant containing pressure vessels are maintained in accordance with relevant standards, including AS 3873
- Records of all scheduled maintenance and repair must be retained. These should be kept with the item of plant.
- Ensure that all inspection and maintenance records for each pressure vessel with a hazard level of A-C are kept
- The pressure vessel should have a plate on it with the Hazard Level A to E. Worksafe inspectors will want to see these records
- Where pressure plant is modified or designed, it must be assessed under AS 4343-2005 Pressure equipment-Hazard levels
- Ensure that each pressure vessel with a hazard level of A-D has been designed notified to WorkSafe – confirmation is usually verified by documentation or certification stamps on the body of the pressure vessel.
Common autoclave hazards
- Broken glassware
- Electricity
- poorly maintained cables
- steam and water near systems or damaged controls
- deteriorated isolation exposed to cleaning
- Slips, trips
- steam condensed on the floor
- cables on the floor
- Explosion
- deterioration of the pressure chamber
- an unexpected opening of chamber doors whilst under pressure
- damaged regulators
- Fire
- Manual handling
- High-pressure gas or fluid
- Other
- entry of solvents or other volatile substances
- inadequate ventilation to extract hazardous gasses
- contaminated sharps
- incorrect cycle time pressure temperature
- exposure to direct sunlight
- damage during transport
Documentation
- Confined Space Permit
- SDS
- SWMS
- Emergency Evacuation Procedures