Which laboratory practice is important to ensure safety when working with glass tubing?

Using lubrication when working with glass tubing is important to ensure safety because it reduces the risk of breakage. Glass can be very fragile and might crack or shatter if it is manipulated without sufficient lubrication. Lubrication provides a coating that facilitates easier insertion and removal of glass tubes from joints, minimizing stress on the glass. This type of precaution is especially necessary when connecting or disconnecting pieces of glass equipment in a laboratory environment, where accidents can lead to injury from sharp glass fragments.

The other practices, such as cooling glass or using specific types of lubrication like oil, may not be directly relevant or appropriate in this context. Cooling the glass can actually lead to the opposite effect—making it more prone to shattering due to temperature differential. While wearing gloves is generally important for personal safety and protection from hazardous substances, it does not specifically address the risk associated with handling glass tubing in terms of breakage. Using oil for lubrication is not advisable as it can react with certain chemical substances or create other hazards, making proper lubrication with appropriate materials essential for safety and equipment integrity.