American Chemical Society (ACS) Laboratory Safety Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Mastering Lab Safety Procedures!

Using gloves in the laboratory is a critical safety practice, and inspecting gloves for damage before use is vital for ensuring your safety. Gloves can provide a barrier against chemical exposure, biological hazards, and contamination, but if they are compromised—whether through tears, punctures, or any other form of damage—they may not protect you effectively. By conducting a visual and tactile inspection before donning gloves, lab personnel can identify any flaws that could lead to dangerous exposure during experiments or procedures. This proactive measure ensures that only intact gloves are used, maintaining a high standard of safety in the lab environment.

The other practices mentioned do not align with the recommended use of gloves in laboratory settings. For instance, putting on gloves only after handling materials can lead to unnecessary contamination and exposure to harmful substances. Removing gloves before using lab equipment could introduce contaminants to those surfaces. Washing gloves with water is generally not advisable, as it might spend them and compromise their protective qualities. Therefore, inspecting gloves for damage before use is the most appropriate practice to ensure safety during laboratory work.