What should you never do while a centrifuge is running?

When using a centrifuge, it is imperative that safety protocols are followed closely to prevent accidents and maintain the integrity of the samples being processed. One critical rule is that you should never open the centrifuge while it is running. This is because the high-speed rotation creates a significant risk if the lid is opened. The centrifuge can throw its contents violently, potentially causing them to spill or, even worse, injure someone.

Centrifuges are designed to contain the samples within a sealed lid while they operate at high speeds. Opening the lid disrupts this contained environment and can lead to dangerous situations where a lab technician or assistant could be harmed by flying debris, liquid samples, or sharp instruments.

Moreover, stopping a centrifuge while it is in operation can be dangerous as well, but opening it while running poses immediate and direct threats not just to the operator but also to the entire laboratory environment. Covering the centrifuge does not prevent accidents either; it’s the act of opening it that poses the greatest risk. Checking the samples should only be done after the centrifuge has completely stopped and the lid is safely opened.