Glassware is an amazing tool in a laboratory. It’s capable of sustaining high and low temperatures, can be opaque or transparent in nature, and the materials to make it are in high supply. However, it still can be quite fragile, especially under certain laboratory circumstances. Combined with the potentially dangerous chemicals being mixed in lab glassware, this can lead to some dangerous situations. Laboratory glassware safety is a cycle that everyone needs to participate in to ensure a safe and clean laboratory environment. The cycle can be broken down into looking, checking, and gathering, and you complete each of these steps before, during, and after your research. Let’s take a look!
Before
Look
- Locate eye washes and safety showers
- Check for glassware damage like scratches or cracks
- Inspect glassware for residue from previous use
Check
- Ensure the grade of the glass is up to the reactions you’ll be doing
- Make sure that you’ve chosen the appropriate type of glassware
- Check that the chemicals you’ll use won’t react with the glass
Gather
- Get a pair of gloves and appropriate lab clothing to wear during use of the glassware
- Keep the appropriate material at hand, including spill cleanup kits if need, in case of an accident
- Select appropriate eyewear for your activity
During
Look
- Keep an eye on temperature and pressure changes to prevent cracking
- If you see a falling object, let it fall - don’t try and stop it
- Monitor for scratches on equipment during usage for later
Check
- Be sure to hold glassware with two hands - one underneath for support
- Keep glassware in safe places where they won’t be bumped or knocked
- Use non-metal and non-glass stirring utensils - those scratch glassware
Gather
- Collect used materials in a safe location where they won’t react
- Move glassware to a safe location away from your work area as you finish
- Pick up broken glass carefully with gloves, dustpan, and spill kits if necessary. Dispose of properly.
After
Look
- Make sure all glassware is accounted for
- Find glass-only receptacles for broken glass
- Be extremely cautious - most glassware accidents occur during clean-up
Check
- Inspect glassware for chips or cracks - these will lead to breaks
- Ensure you use the proper cleaning solution for cleaning glassware
- Make sure drawers with loose objects have pads to prevent rolling
Gather
- Check cleanliness by spraying glass with distilled water - it shouldn’t bead
- Place glassware in drying oven or use acetone to dry the glass
- Store glassware in safe location far from table edges or potential bumps
What comes next in the cycle? Step one! The laboratory glassware safety cycle is a never-ending loop – something that you should follow every time you start using glassware. Print these guidelines out and hang them somewhere easy to find wherever you use laboratory glassware to ensure safe handling and working conditions for everyone in your lab.
Click here for a printable copy of The Laboratory Glassware Safety Cycle
