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Autoclave Safety

Caution: Autoclaves may cause serious burns

To Prevent Injury:

• Loosen screw caps on bottles and tubes of liquids before autoclaving.
• Check that chamber pressure has returned to zero before opening door.
• Wear eye and face protection.
• Stand behind door when opening it.
• Slowly open door only a crack. Beware rush of steam.
• Keep face away from door as it opens. Escaping steam may burn face.
• Wait 5 minutes after opening door before removing liquids.
• Liquids removed too soon may boil up and out of container, burning operator.

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