How should broken glass be handled in the lab?

• A. Do not touch the broken glass
• B. Use gloves to pick up broken glass
• C. Put broken glass in regular trash
• D. Leave it for someone else

Answer: (A)

The risk of personal injury from broken glass is the key idea here. Broken glass has sharp edges that can easily cut skin, and tiny splinters can hide in surfaces or clothing. The safest approach is to avoid handling the pieces directly with bare hands. Use appropriate tools—such as a brush and dustpan or tliers/tongs—to pick up the shards and place them in a designated glass disposal container. This minimizes the chance of cuts and keeps cleanup organized and safe for everyone in the lab. Putting broken glass in regular trash creates a hazard for others and is not proper disposal, while leaving it for someone else delays cleanup and increases risk. If available, follow any additional lab-specific procedures, such as wearing gloves and notifying a supervisor, but the core idea remains: do not touch the broken glass directly.