Overview
Personal protective equipment is not available, accessible, consistently used by employees, and/or appropriate for the operation(s) conducted, sized or properly maintained.
Minimal laboratory PPE:
- Laboratory coat
- Safety spectacles
- Protective gloves
Laboratory workers should take precautions to avoid hazardous chemical exposure. The principal routes of exposure are contact with skin and eyes,injection, inhalation and ingestion. As discussed in more detail in the Laboratory and Engineering Controls section of this training, the preferred methods for reducing chemical exposure are, in order of preference:
- Substitution of less hazardous materials or processes,
- Engineering controls,
- Administrative controls, and
- Personal protective equipment.
The important take home message is that PPE is NOT a substitute for the other exposure control methods (e.g., engineering or administrative controls), and PPE should not be used as the first line of protection from hazardous chemical exposure. For example, it would not be appropriate to use a respirator to prevent inhalation of chemical vapors when no consideration has been giving to improved ventilation or isolation.
Typical minimum lab PPE consists of a laboratory coat, safety spectacles and protective gloves. These must be used in combination with laboratory attire that is appropriate for the hazards present in the laboratory. Appropriate laboratory attire will be discussed later in the presentation. PPE must be available and accessible to all laboratory workers that perform operations with hazardous chemicals.
A worker using chemicals without the appropriate PPE would be cited under this inspection item. If lack of PPE is observed, be sure to investigate whether the worker chose not to or forgot to use PPE versus the situation where PPE is not accessible or has not been made available by the PI.
PPE must be used and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition. For example, disposable gloves should not be reused and should be changed after contamination. Protective clothing should be reasonably clean and absent of tears, punctures and other signs of deterioration.
Evaluating the appropriateness of PPE for the operation(s) conducted can be more complex and will be further discussed.