Choosing the right PPE for scientists and other lab personnel

Mention workplace safety and many people think of hard hats or steel toe-capped shoes. For scientists and others working in laboratories, the situation is different. In labs, workplace safety revolves around proper personal protective equipment (PPE).

But what does proper equipment mean, and how can employers ensure their workers have everything they need to protect their health and wellbeing? Here is what you need to look out for.

Start by conducting a comprehensive risk assessment

Choosing the right type of PPE requires more than simply placing an order. Your company’s team needs to start by understanding the risks and hazards scientists and others become exposed to. While for some jobs a simple lab coat may be enough, other team members might need access to a full hazmat suit, including a breathing apparatus.

Granted, these are extreme examples, but they work well to illustrate the need for a comprehensive risk assessment. Based on that risk assessment, it becomes far easier to choose the most suitable type of PPE for your team. In most cases, scientists and lab staff will need access to different types of PPE. Each type of personal protective equipment plays a significant role, and understanding these roles will facilitate the selection of the appropriate equipment and help minimise costs in the process.

Understanding PPE categories

Personal protective equipment does not mean the same thing for every laboratory or every employee in a lab. To make the most informed choices, buyers need to understand the basic categories of PPE, including:

• Eye and face protection
• Hand protection
• Foot protection
• Hearing protection
• Respiratory protection

1. Eye and face protection

Scientists and other lab staff can protect their eyes with the help of eyewear that has been designed to resist flying debris, radiation or harmful chemicals. Generally speaking, employees may need access to one of four types of PPE for their eyes and face.

General safety glasses provide a minimum of protection. They are mandatory in many lab environments but may not protect the wearer from chemical splashes. If workers will be exposed to splashes, chemical splash goggles might be more appropriate.

Laser safety glasses have been designed to prevent damage from harmful wavelengths of light. Impact goggles are strong enough to protect the eyes from flying debris. Face shields are often worn together with chemical splash goggles in places where chemical substances can cause immediate skin damage.

2. Hand protection

Appropriate gloves minimise so-called dermal exposure in labs, but it is important to use gloves in the conditions they have been designed for.

Light vinyl, latex or nitrile gloves are suitable in locations where workers are exposed to bloodborne pathogens, biological hazards or light chemical splashes. Anyone working with corrosive chemicals or using equipment that is under pressure will need chemical-resistant gloves. Those come in different versions and different materials, depending on the type of exposure.

3. Foot protection

In many laboratories, closed-toe shoes are a minimum requirement for scientists and other workers that may become exposed to chemicals. The goal is to create a barrier between the person and chemical as well as physical hazards. While cloth trainers may cover a person’s toes, they are not generally enough to offer the required level of protection from chemicals.

Employers may also need to consider providing chemical-resistant boots or overshoes depending on the substances and hazardous materials workers may become exposed to.

4. Hearing protection

Few labs tend to require hearing protection for scientists and other staff. However, it is always worth checking the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission’s (NOHSC) standards on noise management and protection of hearing to ensure compliance.

Where noise exceeds safe levels, earplugs and hearing bands can offer practical solutions.

5. Respiratory protection

Respiratory protection creates a barrier between lab workers and substances like dust, mist, fumes and microorganisms. Basic surgical masks offer a minimum of protection, whereas N95 respirators can prevent the transmission of diseases like tuberculosis or flu.

In more hazardous environments, air purification may be necessary. This is when scientists and others need half-face or full-face respirators and cartridges to recharge the equipment.

Prioritise protection levels

During the risk assessment, health and safety teams should not only identify potential hazards but also prioritise protection levels.

Most wet laboratories will require staff to wear at least a lab coat to protect their body and their clothing. In places where there is no risk of fire, traditional cotton and polyester blends work well. Polyester offers more protection from infectious materials. If a lab is handling flammable materials, coats and other PPE should be made from flame-resistant materials.

Not every scientist or lab employee will necessarily know their own requirements. It is up to employers to ensure staff members are protected in their workplace.

Evaluate regulatory compliance

Aside from assessing potential risks and hazards on the company side, health and safety teams also need to understand governmental and industry-specific regulations. Any PPE issued to scientists and others needs to be compliant with these regulations as well as meet the needs of the individual lab.

Agencies like the NOHSC not only stipulate requirements, they are also great sources of guidance when it comes to a lab’s specific requirements.

Stay informed about emerging technologies

Like other technologies, clothing technology is developing fast. As a result, new materials are becoming available almost daily. Those materials and products may offer better protection or combine higher levels of protection with increased comfort. To create a safe and productive workplace, employers need to stay informed about those developments and update their PPE-related policies regularly.

Improving the protection of lab-based staff is not only required by law but also helps grow staff morale and increase productivity. Team members at all levels will feel valued by employers who take their workplace safety seriously. By choosing the right PPE for scientists and lab personnel, employers can increase retention rates and effectively grow their bottom line. They can also limit their exposure to potential liability at work. In short, effective PPE has the power to improve lab work for employers and employees alike.

*Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with over 100 clients across 20 different industries. Holding Bachelor’s Degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick has revamped his company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.

Top image credit: iStock.com/RapidEye