[TheOldLady]

No. The entire vat will have to be destroyed and discarded and the insurance will replace it. Even if someone sticks one finger in the vat, out it goes. They’re very, very strict about that, or at least they used to be. [dredging up a memory from the early 1970’s]

[Slings and Arrows]

Hmmm...if they’re that worried about contamination, why use an open vat?

[geologist]

I agree that they are supposed to do that. However, I know of numerous situations when they take it to the back or other room , and bring it back out as replaced.. Unfortunately.