Broken glass apparatus must be cleaned up immediately and disposed of in a separate bin labeled glass only , not into the general waste. A small piece of plasticine is useful for collecting slivers of glass. When inserting tubing or thermometers into rubber bungs, use a lubricant when appropriate. Ensure that cut ends of glass rods and tubing are fire-polished before use. Also, when freeing stoppers from flasks or bottles, take extra care, especially if the contents are hazardous.
Eye protection is mandatory when operating glass apparatus under vacuum.
The use of plastic mesh covers is not recommended. Evacuated glass dessicators should be protected with a metal mesh cage and should not be transported when evacuated. Air should be admitted gradually when a vacuum within a glass apparatus is to be released. Great care is required when handling large pieces of glassware with wet hands. Strong acids, strong alkalis, toxic, and radioactive solutions must never be pipetted by mouth.