Selecting Glassware

Glassware is designed for a specific purpose. It should only be used for that purpose.
"Makeshift" apparatus may be unstable and could lead to accidents and injuries.
When selecting glassware, determine the compatibility of the glassware with the chemicals or
process. Some chemicals react with glass or cause damage (etch) glass. If your process involves
temperature or pressure changes, ensure the glassware can withstand the changes.

Examples of chemical compatibility and glassware to keep in mind:

Heat causes expansion of volatile materials. Confinement of expansion results in

explosion. The danger exists even when external heat is not applied.
Mixing sulfuric acid with water inside a cylinder causes an exothermic reaction to occur,
resulting in the heat from the reaction to break the bottom of the vessel. Never mix sulfuric acid
inside a cylinder.
Hydrofluoric acid chemically attacks glass. Hot phosphoric acid and strong hot alkalis
also attack glass. Never use glass to contain these processes.
Inspecting Glassware Before Use
Before working with glassware, always inspect it for flaws. If defects are discovered, glass
should be removed from service. Scratches in glass can grow to cracks later on. Dispose of
flawed glassware if repairs are not possible.
Safe Handling and Storage
Proper handling of glassware can reduce the risk of injury and accident.

Never carry a flask by its neck.

Never carry a beaker by its side.
Always use two hands carrying any glassware (position one hand under the glass for
support).
Appropriate glove should be worn whe there is a risk of breakage (e.g. inserting a glass
rod), chemical contamination, or thermal hazard.

o
o
o

o
o

o
o
o

When handling hot or cold glassware, always wear insulated gloves.

Avoid physical stresses to the glassware. Where necessary, stabilize it by using clamps
and platforms to relieve pressure.
Avoid overtightening clamps. To avoid breakage while clamping glassware, use
coated clamps to prevent glass-to-metal contact and do not use excessive force to tighten
clamps.
Neck clams should not be used as sole support for vessels larger than 500 ml.
Ground-glass joints are crafted for a perfect fit and may stick sometimes.
Never force a joint free. It can cause the glass to shatter.
Lubricate surfaces or use a Teflon sleeve.
A heat gun can gently loosen the joints.
Never heat or cool glassware unless it is designed for those processes.
Round-bottom flasks are best for boiling liquids.
Never set hot glass on a cold bench top.
When storing glassware, remember to:
Keep it away from shelf edges.
Place glassware toward the back of benches or hoods. (Remember: Fume hoods
and biosafety cabinets should not be used for storage.)
Don't let instruments roll around in drawers (use drawer pads).
Working with Glass Rods or Tubing
Setting up apparatus can involve pushing glass tubes through a cork or stopper. Researchers may
also attach a rubber policeman to a glass rod. Sometimes researchers will attach a glass pasteur
pipette to rubber tubing for aspiration. All of these procedures have a high risk of injury to your
hands if the glass tube, rod, or pipette break.
When handling glass rods, tubes, or pipettes remember the following:

Determine the holes are the correct size for the glass material.

Never force the glass into place.

Lubricate the hole and tube. Water, soapy water, or glycerin may be used a lubricant. It
is not advised to use oil or grease.
When possible, wear cut resistant gloves.
Hold the glass material with a towel.
Position the glass material close to the insertion point.
Gently twist the glass material into place.
Vacuum and Pressure Operations

Some glassware and processes can present unusual safety risks.

Before starting, be sure you have had the necessary training before working with specialized
equipment or processes.

Vacuum or pressure operations can severely test glassware. Container walls must be able to
withstand pressure differences. If the container is not strong enough, the container may
implode. Round-bottomed or thick-walled flasks must always be used. Glassware designed
for vacuum or pressure operations is rated for specific pressure limits. NEVER place glassware
under pressure that it is not designed to withstand.
Glassware that has been repairs or shows signs of defect, flaw or damage cannot be used in a
vacuum system. It is more apt to break through thermal shock. Checking for flaws or defects
before use is very important.
When setting up a vacuum system, protective measures must be taken:
Place all vacuum apparatus behind a blast shield or inside a fume hood. (Remember to
lower the sash of the fume hood).
Always wear appropriate protective equipment (safety goggles, faceshield, and gloves).
Use PVC coated glassware whenever possible. If not available, cover flasks, dewers, and
desiccators with tape or mesh.
Heating and Cooling Glassware
Check with the glassware manufacturer to determine safe temperature usage. Most
glassware can only be exposed to certain high and low temperatures. Usage outside of those
ranges may cause damage or breakage to the glassware.
Always watch evaporation closely. A vessel, heated after evaporation has already
occurred, may crack.
Do not put hot glassware on cold or wet surfaces as it may break with temperature
change.
Never heat glassware that is etched, cracked, chipped, nicked or scratched.
Glassware with thick walls (e.g. bottles and jars) should never be heated over a direct
flame. Additionally, do not heat glassware directly on electrical heating elements.
Do not look down into a vessel being heated.
Cool all glassware slowly to prevent breakage, unless using specifically designed
glassware.

Use care when removing glassware from ultra-low temperature freezers (-70 to -150 C)
to prevent thermal shock and cracking. For best results, immediately rinse the entire bottle under
cold running water until thawing begins. Never place bottles directly from the freezer into warm
water baths.
When using a bunsen burner, the flam should touch the glass below the liquid level. A
ceramic-centered wire gauze will diffuse the burner flame to provide more even heat.
Always use hotplates that are larger than the bottom of the vessel being heated. Thickwalled glassware (e.g. jars, bottles, cylinders, and filter flasks) should never be heated on hot
plates.
When using a hot/stir plate, ensure that only the settings necessary are activated (i.e. if
you do not intend to heat, ensure the hot plate is NOT turned on.
Cleaning and Drying Glassware
Good lab technique necessitates the use of clean glassware. Glass must be physically clean,
chemically clean, an in many cases, sterile. Many glassware accidents occur during cleaning.
Some reminders when washing and drying glassware.
Eye protection and heavy-duty slip-resistant and chemically resistant gloves should be
worn when washing glassware.
Wash glassware as quickly as possible after use. The longer it is left unwashed, the
harder it will be to clean. If necessary, allow harder to clean apparatus to soak in soapy water.
Do not overload sinks, dishwashers, or soaking bins.
Keep glassware clear of the sides of the sink. Rubber sink and counter mats can also help
reduce the risk of breakage and injury.
Never use worn out cleaning brushes; they can scratch or abrade the glass.
Specialized training in the safe usage of caustic cleaning agents must be completed
before using aqua-regia, chromic acid or other reactive solutions to clean glassware.
When drying glassware, place articles on towels, lined basket, or slip-resistant pads. Be
sure to place away from the edge of the bench. Large containers may be hung on pegs to dry.
When cleaning pipettes, place pipettes, tips down, into a cylinder or tall jar of water or
appropriate disinfectant (e.g. for biologically contaminated tips). A pad of cotton or glass wool
at the bottom will help prevent breakage of the tips. Ensure the water or disinfectant level is
high enough to immerse the pipettes.
New glassware should be washed before use to remove any residue or loose particles.
Disposal and Spill Clean-up
Spills and Broken Glass
Glass is fragile and breaks easily. When glass breaks, care should be taken to reduce the risk of
cuts.

If something is falling, let it drop! Catching it may cause the glassware to break in your
hand.

Wear cut-resistant gloves when handling broken glass. Disposal nitrile or latex gloves
should NEVER be worn. Glass will cut through those gloves.
When cleaning broken glass, use mechanical means to pick up the pieces.

Tongs, tweezers, or forceps should be used to pick up large pieces of broken glass.

Small shards can be picked up using a wet paper towel or absorbent pad or by
using rolled-up tape.
Disposal
Proper disposal ensure that others aren't injured by improperly disposed of broken glass.

Contaminated broken glass

Place in rigid, puncture-resistant container (e.g. sharps container).
For biologically contaminated broken glass, closed and sealed container should be placed
in biohazardous waste box for disposal.
For chemically contaminated broken glass, closed and sealed containers should be tagged
as chemical waste.

Uncontaminated broken glass

Uncontaminated broken glass may be disposed of in a broken glass box or uncontaminated waste
box.

Web II
Equipment
and
Glassware
EHS recommends the following guidelines for the use and care of glassware and other laboratory
equipment:

Glassware and Glass Bottles

Bottle carrier

Inspect all glassware before use. Discard any broken, cracked, or chipped glassware.

Tape or shield glass vacuum vessels to prevent flying glass in the case of an implosion.
Also, tape or shield glass vacuum desiccators.

Transport all glass chemical containers in rubber or polyethylene bottle carriers when
leaving one lab area to enter another. Use a cart if transporting more than two bottles.

Fire-polish all cut glass tubing and rods before use.

Practice the following when inserting glass tubes or rods into stoppers:

Be certain that the diameter of the tube is compatible with the diameter of the
stopper.

Fire-polish the end of the glass tube.

Lubricate the glass with water or glycerol.

Wear heavy gloves and hold the glass not more than two inches from the end to be
inserted.

Insert the glass carefully with a twisting motion.

Remove stuck tubes by slitting the stopper with a sharp knife.

Assembly of Laboratory Apparatus

Firmly clamp apparatus and set up away from the edge of the lab bench.

Only use equipment that is free from cracks, chips, or other defects.

If possible, place a pan under a reaction vessel or other container to contain liquid if the
glassware breaks.

Do not allow burners or any other ignition sources nearby when working with
flammable liquids.

Lubricate glass stopcocks.

Properly support and secure condensers and water hoses with clamps and wires.
Be sure to direct the water hoses so that any drips that come off the hoses do
not splash down onto any electrical wires.

Position apparatus that is attached to a ring stand with the center of gravity over the base
and not to one side.

Assemble the apparatus so that burners or baths can be removed quickly.

Use an appropriate vapor trap and confine the setup to a fume hood if there is a
possibility of hazardous vapors.

Put the setup in a fume hood whenever conducting a reaction that could result in an
implosion or explosion. Keep the sash pulled down. If it is not possible to use a fume
hood, use a standing shield that is stabilized and secured

Web III

2.8 Laboratory Equipment and Glassware

In addition, the following procedures shall apply to the use of laboratory equipment:
All laboratory equipment is to be used only for its intended purpose.
Any broken, cracked, or chipped glassware shall be immediately disposed in a labeled broken
glass receptacle.

All evacuated glass apparatus such as vacuum manifolds should be used in a hood, or otherwise
protected or shielded to contain chemicals and glass fragments in the event of an implosion.
Waste receptacles shall be properly identified. Chemical waste containers shall be labeled with
the words Hazardous Waste, and shall be kept closed except to add waste.
Laboratory equipment should be inspected periodically, and repaired or replaced as necessary.

Web IV
A. Glassware
1.
Type
Use the correct type of glass.
a.

When heating glassware, make sure to use only glassware made of borosilicate
glass (Pyrex brand or Kimax brand). Common glass can break, explode or shatter very easily
when subjected to heat shock.

b.

Make sure to use test tubes made of borosilicate glass when heating. Not all test
tubes are made of borosilicate glass.

2.

Proper Use
Each type of glassware has its proper use and should be used only for its intended purpose.

a.

For measuring volume:

pipets
Burets
graduated cylinders
volumetric flasks
dropper pipets (medicine droppers)
b.
For storing solids and liquids:
bottles
c.
For containing reactive chemicals during experiments:
beakers
Flasks

vials

test tubes
test plates
d.

watch glasses
For transferring liquids and gases:

glass tubing
e.
3.

funnels
For measuring temperature:

thermometers
Cleaning
Keep glassware clean.

a.
b.

Clean immediately after use. The longer glassware sits, the harder it is to clean.
Use laboratory-grade detergents for cleaning glassware. Chromic Acid
(dichromate/sulfuric acid mixture) should never be used to clean glassware.

c.

Be sure to rinse glassware well.

d.

When using brushes, make sure the metal part of the brush does not scratch the
glass.

4.
a.
b.

c.
d.
5.

General Cautions
Use glassware that is without defect and has smooth edges.
Glassware should have no cracks, chips, or scratches. In particular, be wary of
star cracks that can form on the bottom of beakers and flasks. Any glassware with such cracks
should be properly disposed of immediately.
All glass tubing should be fire-polished.
Never set hot glassware on cold surfaces or in any way change its temperature
suddenly. Even a Pyrex or Kimax beaker will break if cold water is poured into a hot beaker.
Frozen Glass
Be careful with glassware that is frozen. Only teachers, wearing goggles and gloves, should try
to release the frozen glassware. If this fails, discard the glassware. Some common cases of
frozen glassware are:

a.

nested beakers that have been jammed together.

b.

stoppers that cannot be removed from bottles.

c.

stopcocks that cannot be moved.

6.

Hot Glass

a.

Use care when working with hot glass. Hot glass looks exactly the same as room
temperature glass.

b.

Do not leave hot glassware unattended, and allow ample time for the glass to cool
before touching.

c.

Check the temperature of the glassware by placing your hand near, but not
touching, the potentially hot glass.

d.
7.
a.

Have hot pads, thick gloves, or beaker tongs available for grasping hot glassware.
Glass Tubing
Breaking. Use gloves or towels to protect hands when breaking glass tubing. Use
goggles to protect the eyes. Here are the steps for properly breaking glass tubing.

i.

Scratch the glass once with a file or score.

ii.

Wrap the glass in a towel.

iii.

Place the thumbs together opposite the scratch.

iv.

Pull and bend in one quick motion.

v.

b.

Fire polish the broken ends: hold the glass so that the sharp end is in the
top of the flame of a gas burner. Rotate the tube so all sides are heated evenly, causing the sharp
edges to melt and become smooth. Place the glass on insulating material to cool.
Bending. Bending glass tubing is often necessary. Follow these procedures:

i.

Place a wing-top attachment on a gas burner and heat the area of the glass
to be bent while holding it with one hand on each end, rotating to ensure even heating.

ii.

When the glass is soft and pliable, remove it from the flame and quickly
bend to the desired shape. Results will improve with practice.

iii.

Place on insulating material until cool.

8.

Disposal
Defective glassware should be disposed of correctly.

a.

Glassware should be disposed of in a separate container from normal trash. Such

container should be clearly labeled BROKEN GLASSWARE ONLY.

b.

When handling broken glassware, wear gloves or use a dustpan and broom. Do
not pick up broken glass with bare hands.

Web V
GLASSWARE AND SHARPS

PROCEDURES FOR SAFE HANDLING AND DISPOSAL

HANDLING

Glassware and sharps should be handled and stored carefully to avoid damage.

Reusable syringes must be capped and put away after use. Cap syringes using the one-handed
method of picking up the cap with the needle then carefully securing the cap onto the syringe.
Retractable syringes are preferred.

Chipped, broken, or star-cracked glassware should be discarded or repaired. Damaged glassware

should never be used unless it has been repaired.

Because of the potential for catastrophic breakage resulting in sharp projectiles, only thickwalled, pressure-resistant glassware should be utilized under positive pressure or a vacuum.

Appropriate hand protection should be used when inserting glass tubing into a rubber stopper or
when placing rubber tubing on glass hose connections. Use of plastic or metal connectors should
be considered.

Appropriate hand protection should be used when picking up broken glass or other sharp objects.
Small pieces should be swept up using a brush and dustpan.

See SOP 3.14 Glass Apparatus and Plasticware Assembly for detailed instructions.

DISPOSAL

Sharps waste is categorized by the type of contamination present. Specific disposal methods are
dictated by category, but all categories require packaging in puncture-resistant cardboard or
plastic containers in order to minimize the risk of injuries.

Uncontaminated Sharps

Uncontaminated sharps and broken or unbroken glass should be placed in a Sharp NonHazardous Waste bucket for Building Services pickup or sealed in puncture-resistant boxes or
containers and placed in the waste receptacle. Building Services will remove this waste.

Disposable items such as pipette tips and wood swabs that are not sharps but may perforate the
liners of the waste receptacles present a hazard to custodians. These may be placed in any
puncture resistant container such as a non-breakable plastic jar, bottle, thick plastic bag or other
type of container and placed in the waste receptacle. Building Services will remove this waste.

Chemically Contaminated Sharps

Chemically contaminated sharps and broken or unbroken glass should be placed in a closed
sealed box or plain puncture resistant container such as a plastic jar, bottle or other type of
container, labeled with a hazardous chemical waste tag with the description Sharps
contaminated with chemical name and turned in to EHS for disposal.

Note: Spill residue with broken glass, spill absorbents, etc., must be collected as Hazardous
Chemical Waste and not placed into the broken glass receptacles (see SOP 3.13 Chemical Spill
Response Procedures).

Caution: To avoid dumpster fires, boxes may only be used if the chemical contamination is
compatible with the organic cellulose of the box material. Materials contaminated with oxidants
should be placed in glass or metallic containers.

Broken (slightly damaged) laboratory glassware that cannot be repaired should be placed in a
closed sealed box or plain puncture resistant container such as a plastic jar, bottle or other type of
container, labeled with a hazardous chemical waste tag with the description Sharps
contaminated with chemical name and turned in to EHS for disposal or triple rinsed, disposed of
as uncontaminated sharps, and placed in a Sharp Non-Hazardous Waste bucket for Building
Services pickup.

Unbroken chemically contaminated glass should decontaminated in accordance with the

Hazardous Waste Management Guide (www.ehs.indiana.edu/hazard.shtml) and placed in a
Sharp Non-Hazardous Waste bucket for Building Services pickup or sealed in punctureresistant boxes or containers and placed in the waste receptacle. Building Services will remove
this waste.

Disposable chemically contaminated items that are not sharps but may perforate the liners of the
waste receptacles should be placed in any non-breakable puncture resistant container such as a
plastic jar, bottle, thick plastic bag or other type of container and placed in the waste receptacle.
Building Services will remove this waste.

Radioactive sharps: Refer to the IU Radiation Safety Manual for disposal of materials with
radioactive contamination.

Biohazardous items: Refer to the IU Biological Waste Management Procedures for disposal of
materials with biohazardous contamination.

Note: Clear multi-use sharps containers with the biohazardous waste symbol should be used
to collect biohazardous sharps (untreated human tissues, fluids, pathogens, and rDNA) prior to
sterilization.

Remove or completely deface the biohazard symbol for sterilization because the waste is no
longer biohazardous after sterilization or disinfection. The biohazard symbol must not be
recognizable or completely removed prior to disposal in the sanitary waste.

Red puncture proof biohazardous sharps containers should not be used because all biological
waste is sterilized prior to disposal in the sanitary waste. Red sharps containers are still
recognized as containing untreated human tissues, fluids, or pathogens (whether sterilized or not)
and cannot be placed in the sanitary waste.

Sharps containers are sold in the Chemistry store, the Biology stockroom, and lab supply
catalogues. Puncture resistant broken glass disposal boxes may be purchased from lab supply
catalogs.

Plain plastic puncture-resistant 1-quart and 1-gallon containers and 5-gallon buckets may be
obtained free of charge from EHS by requesting them in the comment section of the Waste
Disposal Request Form (www.ehs.indiana.edu/hazard.shtml).

Other puncture resistant containers and boxes may be used if properly sealed and labeled.

Labeling and Handling of Glass and Sharps Waste

Type of Contamination
Package

Labeling
Disposal

Biohazardous
See IU Biological Waste
See IU Biological Waste
See IU Biological Waste

Management Procedures
Management Procedures
Management Procedures

Closed sealed box or

Hazardous Chemical Waste

Tag with the description:

Chemical
plain (non-red) puncture

EHS

Sharps contaminated with:

resistant container

______________________

Radiological
See IU Radiation Safety
See IUB Radiation Safety
See IU Radiation Safety

Manual
Manual
Manual

Closed sealed box or

Uncontaminated
plain puncture resistant
Sharps
Building Services

container or non-hazardous
Non-Hazardous Waste

sharps bucket in lab