Final answer:
When handling hazardous waste, placing a biohazardous container in a secondary container if the primary container risks being punctured is a crucial guideline to follow.
Step-by-step explanation:
When handling hazardous waste, it's vital to follow specific guidelines to ensure safety and prevent injuries or contamination. One such guideline is to place a biohazardous container in a secondary container when there is a danger of puncturing the primary container. This precaution helps to minimize the risk of exposure to biohazards, which are biological materials that could cause illness, such as disease-causing organisms present on used needles or laboratory-grown bacteria. Proper disposal methods, such as utilizing autoclaves for sterilization before waste is included in the waste stream, wearing protective equipment, and washing hands thoroughly after handling hazardous materials, are essential safety practices in a laboratory setting.