E. Laboratory Equipment Maintenance Improperly functioning equipment may provide a false sense of safety and create hazardous situations. Equipment must be inspected and tested regularly. Service schedules depend on both the possibility and consequences of failure. F. Glassware Accidents involving glassware are a leading cause of laboratory injuries. Careful handling and storage procedures must be used to avoid damaging glassware.
Damaged items are to be discarded or repaired.
Adequate hand protection must be used when inserting glass tubing into rubber stoppers or corks, when placing rubber tubing on glass hose connections, or when picking up broken glass. Glass-blowing operations are not to be attempted unless proper annealing facilities are available. Vacuum-jacketed glass apparatuses are to be handled with extreme care to prevent implosions. Only glassware designed for vacuum work is to be used for that purpose. Proper instruction must be provided in the use of glass equipment designed for specialized tasks.