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?

1) Clean up the broken glass and bacteria using gloves and a disinfectant
2) Leave the broken glass and bacteria on the floor
3) Call for help and wait for someone with experience to clean it up
4) Ignore the broken glass and bacteria and continue with your work

Answer 1

When a culture tube containing bacteria is knocked over and shatters, one should use gloves and disinfectant to clean the spill, dispose of the waste in biohazard containers, and never touch broken glass with bare hands.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you knock over a glass culture tube containing bacteria, the correct action to take would be to first ensure your safety by putting on gloves and possibly goggles or a safety apron depending on the level of biohazard risk. According to biosafety practices, you should then clean up the broken glass and bacteria using a disinfectant. Completely saturate the spill area with the disinfectant, cover it with paper towels, and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Afterward, carefully remove and dispose of the saturated paper towels in the appropriate biohazard waste, and clean the area again with disinfectant. A dustpan and broom should be used to clean up any broken glass; never touch it with your bare hands. Make sure to dispose of your gloves and any clean-up materials in the biohazard waste as well.