Overview
Clothing and/or footwear is not appropriate for the lab.
Proper lab attire, what you wear under your PPE is just as important as the PPE.
Clothing that leaves large areas of skin exposed is inappropriate in laboratories where hazardous chemicals are in use.
However, this can be a risk assessment-based issue as well. If they are not working with hazardous chemicals, not wearing long pants, may not be as much of an issue as opposed to pouring corrosive chemicals all day. Use good judgment when citing this, do not blindly cite it without context.
Typical appropriate lab attire consists of the following:
- Pants or skirts that cover the entire leg to the ankle (no cropped pants, shorts, etc.) unless an additional protective garment (e.g., coveralls, lab coat) fully covers exposed skin (e.g., coveralls)
- Closed-toed shoe that covers the top of the foot (e.g., not of a slipper or sandal type that exposes the top of the foot) and is resistant to rapid penetration by spilled liquids or sharps.
- Footwear topped with mesh or incorporating slits or holes (e.g. CROCs) is not recommended.
- Leather or synthetic leather construction is preferred.
- Shirt or top that covers the upper torso.
More on appropriate shirts worn under your PPE: This is not a dress code, but is for your optimal safety when working in the lab.
In general wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible that may remain exposed when PPE is worn.
A good rule of thumb is not to wear any shirts that have a neckline that extends below the level of your armpits.