Cuts

Nature/Causes:

Small cuts caused by broken glass apparatus (e.g. test tubes, or glass tubing), tools (e.g. dissecting instruments, cork borer or cutter) or sharp edges.

Safety Precautions:

• Students should be taught the correct ways of using sharp instruments (e.g. razor blades, scalpels) with care and not to play with them.
• Unwanted razor blades and mounting needles should be properly wrapped up before disposal.
• Glassware showing signs of cracking or those with broken edges should not be used for experiments.
• The correct way of handling glass apparatus (e.g. fitting a pipette filler to a pipette) should be taught to students.
• Broken pieces of glass should be disposed of properly in a metal or plastic container assigned for such purpose and never into a general rubbish container.