Chapter 9: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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1 Chapter 9: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Selecting PPE for Chemical Laboratory Experiments: All Principle Investigators (PI) should perform site-specific Laboratory Hazard Assessment that identifies the different types of PPE needed to conduct researcher inside your laboratory. Please review this document before selecting your PPE. If your PI has not identified what type of PPE you need to perform your research please contact EHSO at Along with using the Laboratory Hazard Assessment, each PI should have completed one of EHSO s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) for any work that involves a corrosive material, a particular hazardous substance, a carcinogen, a pyrophoric solid, or a chemical with a known acute toxic effect. If you are still unsure about what type of PPE you need to perform your experiment please contact EHSO for guidance. We are available 24/7 at 6-SAFE or by at labsafety@uic.edu. Remember never use PPE in lieu of engineering and administrative controls. PPE is the last resort to protect a laboratory worker. PPE includes: respiratory protection, eye protection, face protection, chemical protective gloves and clothing. The hierarchy of controls prioritizes intervention strategies based on the premise that the best way to control a hazard is to systematically remove it from the workplace, rather than relying on employees to reduce their exposure. The types of measures that may be used to protect employees (listed from most effective to least effective) are: engineering controls, administrative controls, work practices, and PPE. Engineering controls, such as chemical hoods, physically separate the employee from the hazard. Administrative controls, such as employee scheduling, are established by management to help minimize the employees exposure time to hazardous chemicals. Work practice controls are tasks that are performed in a designated way to minimize or eliminate hazards. Personal protective equipment and apparel are additional protection provided under special circumstances and when exposure is unavoidable. Face and eye protection is necessary to prevent skin absorption of hazardous chemicals. At a minimum, safety glasses, with side shields, should be used for all laboratory work. Chemical splash goggles are more appropriate than regular safety glasses to protect against hazards such as projectiles, as well as when working with glassware under reduced or elevated pressures (e.g., sealed tube reactions), when handling potentially explosive compounds (particularly during distillations), and when using glassware in high-temperature operations. Do not allow laboratory chemicals to come in contact with skin. Select gloves carefully to ensure that they are impervious to the chemicals being used and are of correct thickness to allow reasonable dexterity while also ensuring adequate barrier protection. Lab coats and gloves should be worn when working with hazardous materials in a laboratory. Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants or other clothing that covers the legs when in a laboratory where hazardous chemicals are used. Additional protective clothing should be used when there is significant potential for skin-contact exposure to chemicals. The protective characteristics of this clothing must be matched to the hazard. Never wear gloves or laboratory coats outside the laboratory or into areas where food is stored and consumed. 46

2 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Acceptable Conditions When engineering controls and administrative controls are inadequate due to the specific hazards of chemicals, reaction products or the increased chance of exposure from nonroutine operations such as equipment cleaning or maintenance, additional PPE may be necessary. Respiratory Protection Laboratory workers typically do not require respirators however; there are unique situations where employees may need to wear a respirator. Any employee may voluntarily use a respirator. There are many factors determining correct respirator usage include respirator type, face shape, work practices and effort levels, and workplace conditions such as temperature and humidity. Please contact EHSO at labsafety@uic.edu for the respirator assistance before buying or using a respirator. The OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR ) requires that lab personnel who are required or choose to wear respirators and masks must first receive: Medical clearance (from the University Health Services), to determine physiological ability to use a respirator since it restricts air flow, limiting breathing capacity. Training in care and use of respirator provided by EHSO online. Fit-testing (by EHSO or EHSO-approved personnel) to select the correct size and style. Studies have indicated that 10 micron sized particles can penetrate the face seal; showing importance of a proper fit. Fit tests are to be performed: initially, when determining to wear a respirator, whenever a different respirator face piece (size, style, model or make) is use and at least annually thereafter. Eye and Face Protection At minimum, all safety glasses and goggles used at UIC should meet ANSI Z The safety glasses should have a brow bar and side shields. Street safety glasses are not acceptable. Select safety glasses for wearing over prescription glasses that will fit closely around the eyes, such as the OTS by Pyramex. When purchasing prescription safety glasses you should select glasses with side shields and brow bar. Splash Goggles Goggles should be worn when performing, observing, or supervising work where there is a possibility of chemical splashes or sprays or when wearing contact lenses in the lab. Wear face shields in addition to safety glasses or goggles when face protection is required, i.e. working with extremely toxic or corrosives. Wear face shields and/or use explosion shields if the possibility of implosion or explosion exists (e.g., rotavapping outside of a fume hood). Clean goggles and face shields with mild detergent and water after use. Do not wear contact lenses in a dusty environment. Dust particles can become lodged behind a contact lens and irritate or scratch the cornea. 47

3 Chemical Protective Gloves: Research indicates that glove thickness is more important than material, since all materials tested have been found to be permeable to some chemicals and hazardous drugs. Unless the chemical manufacturer specifically stipulates another glove material, wear thicker, longer gloves that cover the lab coat or gown cuff. Please refer to EHSO website for glove compatibility charts. These charts have the most common lab chemicals used and the protection time for using specific chemical gloves. Example Chemical Glove Compatibility Chart 48

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5 Chemical Glove Types Nitrile Butyl Silver Shield Neoprene Donning Off Chemical Gloves 50

6 Glove Selection Tips: Select powderless gloves since the powder may absorb contamination. No one glove material is effective for use with all chemicals Always wear gloves when handling all chemicals... Due to the variability in permeability within and between glove lots, double glove if it does not interfere with the technique. Wear outer glove over the lab coat or gown cuff and inner glove under the cuff. Remove inner glove after removing lab coat or gown. Because gloves are permeable to some extent and the permeability increases with time, change regularly (hourly) or immediately if gloves are torn, punctured, or contaminated with a spill. Double glove when working with extremely toxic or corrosive chemicals; one pair under the sleeves, second pair over the sleeves. Do not touch door handles and telephones with contaminated gloves, to prevent the spread of contamination. Wash hands with soap after removing gloves and before leaving the laboratory. After use, wash reusable gloves, rinse inside and out, and turn inside out to dry. Laboratory Attire for the Body A recommendation from the National Research Council (NRC) is that all researchers should wear lab coats and pants when working with hazardous materials in a laboratory. Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants or other clothing that covers the legs when in a laboratory where hazardous chemicals are used. Additional protective clothing should be used when there is significant potential for skin-contact exposure to chemicals. The protective characteristics of this clothing must be matched to the hazard. Never wear gloves or laboratory coats outside the laboratory or into areas where food is stored and consumed. Wear protective clothing (lab coat, Tyvek suit or apron with Tyvek sleeves) when working with chemicals. Wear pants or skirts that cover the legs. Do not wear sandals or open-toed shoes to prevent injuries from falling glass and equipment. Do not wear canvas or other cloth shoes that spilled chemicals will easily penetrate. Wear caps or hair fasteners to prevent long hair from entangling in experiments. Do not wear over-sized clothing; excess material can contribute to spills or become entangled in mechanical apparatus. Do not wear nylon hosiery; chemical spills or splashes can fuse it onto skin. Do not wear shorts, miniskirts or tops with exposed midriffs. Remove protective clothing when leaving the laboratory facility and launder work clothes often. Wash promptly if skin is splashed with a chemical, regardless of corrosivity. Immediately remove protective clothing when significantly contaminated. When clothing has been splashed with a chemical, remove it while under the emergency shower. 51

7 Types of Lab Coats Normal Flame Resistant Lab Coat Flame Retardant Lab Coat 52