The Safety Theme for June is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The purpose of PPE is to protect yourself from potential exposures as well as protect others by keeping what you work with inside the lab. PPE is one aspect of risk minimization and it serves as your last line of defense against direct exposures to hazardous materials and environments. 

The minimum PPE required includes a lab coat or disposable gown, long pants/skirt, and closed-toe shoes. Task specific gloves and protective eyewear (for splash or aerosol hazards) may be required depending on the materials you work with or the procedures you conduct. Additional PPE may be necessary as outlined in project approval letters and the EHSO PPE Assessment Form (for Research Laboratories). It is important to review the EHSO PPE Assessment Form (for Research Laboratories) annually to confirm the PPE worn is appropriate given the activities conducted in the lab. 

It is also important to don and doff PPE properly to prevent contamination. Review the chart below for the proper order of donning and doffing PPE.  

It is important to choose the right type of glove for the chemical you are handling or the task you are conducting since there is not a ‘one glove’ solution that protects against all hazards. Consult the relevant Safety Data Sheet (SDS) which may recommend a particular glove material. Once you have selected the correct gloves, care must be taken to inspect, maintain, and determine when to discard them. Gloves should be checked for physical damage before each use to ensure they are not torn, punctured, or made ineffective in any way. Non-disposable gloves that are discolored or stiff may also indicate deficiencies caused by excessive use or degradation from chemical exposure. 

 The following chart provides guidance on glove selection:   

For more information on PPE such as laundering lab coats, respiratory protection, or eye and face protection, please refer to the EHSO PPE Assessment Form (for Research Laboratories). 

Contact your EHSO Research Safety Building Liaison if you have any questions or need assistance in evaluating PPE.