OBJECTIVE:
To lay down the procedure for cleaning of glassware used in laboratory.
SCOPE:
This procedure is applicable for the cleaning of glassware used in laboratory.
RESPONSIBILITY:
Quality Control Officer is responsible to follow procedure as per the procedure mentioned in this SOP.
QC Head is responsible for implementation and compliance of the procedure as per this SOP.
ABBREVIATIONS
SOP : Standard Operating Procedure
QA : Quality Assurance
NA : Not Applicable
QC : Quality Control
HPLC : High Performance Liquid Chromatograph
GC : Gas Chromatograph
PROCEDURE:
The glassware’s used for analysis shall be collected and kept for washing at a clearly demarcated place, designated as washing area for ‘unclean glassware’s’.
The glassware’s used for analysis shall be cleaned thoroughly before use by following procedure.
Use the safety devices such as protective glasses, suitable hand gloves and water shield before starting the cleaning of the Glassware. Drain the left over solution present in the glassware into wash basin in such a way that the solution/reagent does not splash.
Rinse the glassware’s several times with tap water to ensure that no residue is left inside. Rinse the glassware with phosphate free Detergent cleaning solution (dilute as recommended for use) and flush the glassware with water by shaking vigorously to remove the residue of the cleaning agent. Finally rinse the Glassware’s several times with running de-mineralized water.
In case of stubborn stains, special cleaning shall be done, additionally with hot Nitric acid. Remaining cleaning procedure shall remain same as described above.
The volumetric flasks used for HPLC & GC analysis shall be cleaned with using hot Nitric Acid / solvent if required in place of detergent cleaning solution.
Note: The Detergent cleaning solutions is prohibited for glassware used for dilutions in HPLC & GC as the residues of cleaning agents often cause contaminations and may result in ghost peaks.
The Glassware used for Microbiological analysis shall be decontaminated before cleaning. The decontaminated media shall be removed in Poly bag meant for incineration. The Glassware shall be cleaned and finally rinsed with de-mineralized water before use.
Cleaned glassware shall be arranged properly in inverted / slanting position into appropriate size of perforated metal baskets / stands. Further these baskets / stands or glassware as such are stored in a clean rack meant for “clean glass wares”.
Note: All Class A glassware is used for the analytical purposes and are not alkaline in nature. There is no need of soaking in acidic medium.
After cleaning of glassware dry the glassware in hot air oven at 60°C±5 temperature.