Laboratory Glassware and the safety measures

Laboratory glassware are mainly made of borosilicate, the most popular brand manufacturing them is PYREX. These laboratory glasses from PYREX can be heated over Bunsen burners and hot plates as well. As it has a low thermal expansion the fear of breakage is minimal.

The manufacturing of laboratory glassware depends on several factors. They need to be utilised for the specific use that is mentioned by the manufacturers. Pipettes, burettes, test tubes, beakers, pipes and other glassware strictly meant for the laboratory, need not be used beyond it. Accidental hazards can cause you heavy loss; glass shards are very sharp and very dangerous.

Get ready to have a sneak peek of the safety measure to use laboratory glassware;

1. Make sure to avoid mixing water and sulphuric acid in a glass cylinder, as the chemical reaction is sure to break the vessel’s base, because of its seal and thickness.
2. Volatility of the chemicals, result in to various reactions inside the glassware, so keep safe distance while performing some intense experiments.
3. Handling bottles, beakers and flasks by their bottoms and sides as lifting points, to reduce breaking the glassware.
4. They are not meant for personal use, so never drink water or any beverage from laboratory glassware, they may cause health hazards.
5. Hydrofluoric acid, strong hot alkalis and phosphoric acid chemically attack glass, so never use glassware in the laboratory to hold these chemicals.
6. Use clamps mindfully, when you tighten the clamps too much the glass may break or crack instantly and make sure to support glassware larger than 500ml capacity along with the neck clamp, as the weight may break the apparatus.
7. Make sure to flush out the outer side of any acid bottle before touching it; don’t let the stopper lie on counter tops unattended. Someone might get hurt from the acid residue over there.

Apart from the above precautionary measures use proper apparatus and follow the rules, being cautious while using glassware saves a lot of trouble. Shake them during experiments, but don’t break them by hitting the sides of a basin.