Question

You knock over a glass culture tube containing bacteria, which shatters on the floor. Which of the following best describes what you should do?

a) Sweep up the broken glass, and dispose of it in a designated container for broken glass.
b) Sweep up the broken glass, and dispose of it in a biohazard container.
c) Soak the spill with disinfectant for at least 20 minutes, then dispose of the broken glass in a designated container for broken glass.
d) Sweep up the broken glass, and put it in a designated area to be autoclaved.

Answer 1

Soak the spill with disinfectant, cover with paper towels, dispose of them in a biohazard container, and clean the area again. Use a dustpan and broom to handle broken glass and wear gloves to avoid direct contact with biohazards.

Step-by-step explanation:

After knocking over a glass culture tube containing bacteria, which shatters on the floor, the best course of action is to soak the spill with disinfectant for at least 20 minutes, cover with paper towels, allow the spill to sit, and then carefully remove the saturated paper towels.

Following this, dispose of the materials in a biohazard container. Finally, clean the area again with disinfectant to ensure all potential contamination from the bacteria has been eradicated. It is important to wear gloves during this process and use a dustpan and broom for the broken glass, to avoid direct contact with the biohazard.

Biohazard waste must be sterilized, typically by autoclave, before it can be included in the waste stream, according to biosafety practices. Therefore, simply placing broken contaminated glass in a container for broken glass without proper disinfection and handling would not adhere to safe laboratory practices.