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3/18/2015
Centrifuge
Incidents and
Guidance
EHS Coordinator-Lead
Contact Meeting
3/10/2015
BACKGROUND
Centrifuge Basics
 Centrifuges can be floor-standing or tabletop.
 Common floor-standing models at MIT are
manufactured by Beckman Coulter and Sorvall
(Thermo).
Rotor
Drive
and lid
shaft/crown
assembly
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INCIDENTS
Initial Incident Discovery
 The KI has six Sorvall RC-6 Plus centrifuges
purchased in 2010.
 In December 2014 a researcher discovered
that pins on the drive shaft were broken on
three of the RC-6 Plus centrifuges.
 Pins were worn on two additional centrifuges.
INCIDENTS
Technician Report
 Technician believed that worn drive shaft pins
were due to improper rotor placement.
 Damaged pins led to damaged rotors.
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Design Issue?
INCIDENTS
INCIDENTS
User error or design issue?
 When queried, Thermo indicated
that drive shaft damage as
observed at the KI is rare.
 Analysis conducted to determine if
this is common issue at MIT.
 5 additional Sorvall RC-6 Plus
centrifuges identified in Biology
and BE.
 Labs were asked about repair
history.
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INCIDENTS
Additional Incidents
 9 of 11 centrifuges have had
incidents.
 14 total incidents identified,
including 2 rotors that flew off drive
shaft during spins.
 Total cost to MIT labs in excess of
$20,000.
INCIDENTS
Is number of incidents typical?
 Identified 6 comparable Beckman centrifuges
among 3 DLCs.
Beckman
Sorvall
Number of centrifuges
6
11
Centrifuges w/incidents
3
9
Total incidents
4
14
Years per incident
15.25
3.8
 Incidents do happen regardless of
manufacturer, but Sorvalls seems more prone to
incidents at MIT.
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SUMMARY
Moving Forward. . .
 Sorvall centrifuge followup:
 Thermo will be contacted regarding
recurrent rotor/drive shaft issues with RC-6
Plus centrifuges.
 Labs with these centrifuges will be
notified of any developments.
 EHS Coordinators:
 Distribute guidance slides and review
with any labs that might use centrifuges.
 Encourage routine examination of
centrifuges and rotors by labs.
GUIDANCE
Guidance for Labs
 Include centrifuge awareness in lab-specific
training.
 Create a lab job for centrifuge maintenance.
 Place appropriate reminder signs on centrifuges.
 Create log book to record usage and errors.
Example sign
for Sorvall
centrifuges
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GUIDANCE
Guidance for Labs
 Ensure all users:
 Receive centrifuge-specific training.
 Know how to secure rotors and balance tubes.
 Check the rotors and centrifuge for signs of
damage prior to use.
 Standby for a couple minutes after start of spin
in case there are error message or signs of
imbalance.
 Clean up spills inside the rotor and drum to
prevent imbalance.
 Report problems to the lab manager or other
appropriate person.
THE END
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