Final answer:
Laboratory procedures for handling dirty glassware and plates include using sterilized forceps and 70% ethanol, wearing personal protective equipment, never eating or drinking in the lab, and ensuring all equipment is regularly cleaned and sterilized. Broken glass must be handled safely, and accidents should be immediately reported.
Step-by-step explanation:
While working in a laboratory, some several procedures and practices need to be adhered to when handling dirty glassware and plates to ensure safety and prevent contamination. The process typically involves using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, and safety aprons. Any broken glass should be handled with care, using tools like a dustpan and broom instead of bare hands for cleanup. When handling glassware with biological samples, it's important to use sterilized forceps to prevent cross-contamination.
Additionally, it's important to never eat, drink, or use lab glassware for any personal use to prevent ingestion of hazardous substances. Keeping a clean workspace and thorough decontamination after experiments are also essential practices, as is the immediate reporting of any accidents to the supervising technician or professor. Lastly, proper training on the use of pipettes and other equipment is fundamental to ensuring accurate results and avoiding contamination.