Proper use and maintenance of laboratory equipment are essential to laboratory safety. Equipment should be regularly inspected to ensure proper maintenance. Many laboratory accidents can be attributed to improperly maintained or improperly used laboratory equipment. A. Glassware Type Use the correct type of glass.
Common glass can break, explode or shatter very easily when subjected to heat shock.
Make sure to use test tubes made of borosilicate glass when heating. Not all test tubes are made of borosilicate glass. Clean immediately after use. The longer glassware sits, the harder it is to clean. Use laboratory-grade detergents for cleaning glassware.