What is the first step in the safe cleanup of broken glass?

• A. Pick up the bigger pieces first and place them in a paper bag.
• B. Vacuum the area immediately.
• C. Wipe area with water.
• D. Ignore.

Answer: (A)

Safe cleanup begins with removing the largest pieces by hand with gloves. Grabbing the big shards first reduces the immediate risk of cutting yourself and prevents the pieces from scattering as you search for smaller ones. Placing those pieces in a sturdy paper bag contains the sharp edges and protects trash handlers, making disposal safer. After the big pieces are dealt with, you can sweep up the smaller fragments with a brush and dustpan, then wipe the area with a damp paper towel to pick up the tiniest slivers. Vacuuming should wait until after the larger pieces are cleared, since it can spread shards and damage the vacuum, and wiping with water isn’t the best first step because it can push shards around rather than containing them. This sequence explains why picking up the bigger pieces first and placing them in a paper bag is the best initial action.