11.0 Personal Protective Equipment
The Laboratory Supervisor (or designee) shall be responsible for the risk assessment and selection of personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees working in their laboratory (Contact EHS for recommendations and technical advise on the need and selection of PPE), acquiring approved equipment, maintaining availability, and establishing cleaning and disposal procedures. Chemical protective clothing must be removed before leaving the work area. The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard requires 19 written PPE assessment, employee training, etc., in addition to the Chemical Hygiene Standard. Call EHS for consultation, if needed.
11.1 Eye Protection
11.1.1 Safety glasses must meet the requirements of ANSI Z87.1 (latest edition).
11.1.2 Chemical Safety Goggles are required for employees who enter a laboratory and are exposed to an eye hazard.
11.1.3 Face shields with safety glasses underneath or chemical splash goggles are required when transferring or pouring acidic or caustic materials.
11.1.4 Chemical splash goggles must be worn over the contact lenses.
11.1.5 Before each use, eye and face protection is to be inspected for damage, i.e. cracks, scratches, debris. If deficiencies are noted, the equipment should be cleaned, repaired, or replaced before use.
11.2 Gloves
11.2.1 Chemical resistant gloves shall be worn whenever the potential for hazardous skin contact exists. The material safety data sheet for the substance or glove selection charts should be referenced. (Insert a table to list some general classifications of chemicals and potential activities and suggested glove type. Can get recommendations from EHS).
11.2.2 Standard Operating Procedures should specify glove requirements.
11.2.3 Gloves shall be removed before touching other surfaces (doorknobs, faucet handles).
11.2.4 Heat resistant gloves shall be used for handling hot objects. Asbestos containing gloves shall not be used.
11.2.5 Abrasion resistant gloves (such as leather) should be worn for handling broken glass or for other potentially abrasive situations. They should NOT be worn when handling chemicals.
11.2.6 Before each use, gloves are to be inspected for damage and contamination, i.e. tears, punctures, discoloration. If deficiencies are noted, the gloves should be cleaned, repaired, or replaced before use.
11.3 Foot Wear
11.3.1 No sandals or open-toed shoes are to be worn by employees in the laboratory. The shoe should have a nonskid sole and should have a reasonable heel height.
11.3.2 Safety shoes should be worn if there is potential for injury from heavy objects, i.e. handling drums, cylinders.
11.3.3 Safety shoes must meet the requirements of ANSI Z41 (latest issue).
11.3.4 Before each use, shoes are to be inspected for damage, deterioration, contamination, i.e. tears, punctures, discoloration. If deficiencies are noted, the shoes should be cleaned, repaired, or replaced before use.
11.4 Clothing
11.4.1 Laboratory coats or other suitable work apparel shall be worn by laboratory employees whenever there is potential for chemical exposure in the work area (Specify minimum clothing requirements for specific task).
11.4.2 Clothing must be cleaned regularly. If a spill occurs on the clothing, it must be decontaminated before reuse. Lab clothing should not be taken home.
11.4.3 The commercial launderer of any contaminated work clothing shall be notified of potentially contaminating substances.
11.4.4 Disposable clothing will be worn if working with highly toxic materials, such as carcinogens, mutagens, or teratogens (Disposable clothing should be selected after consultation with EHS).
11.4.5 Before each use, clothing is to be inspected for damage, deterioration, contamination, i.e., tears, punctures, and discoloration. If deficiencies are noted, the clothing should be cleaned, repaired, or replaced before use.
11.4.6 Shorts are not recommended in the laboratory.
11.5 Hearing
11.5.1 At the request of the Chemical Hygiene Officer, or designate, EHS will conduct a noise survey to determine the need for a Hearing Conservation Program in high noise areas.
11.5.2 Hearing protection (earmuffs or plugs) is required whenever employees are exposed to 90 dBA or greater as an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA).
11.5.3 Hearing protection shall be made available to employees exposed to an 8 hour TWA from 85 dBA to 89 dBA.
11.5.4 Hearing protection is to be inspected before each use, for tears and contamination. If deficiencies are noted, the hearing protector should be cleaned, repaired, or replaced before use.
11.5.5 Annual audiogram and other requirements of the hearing conservation would apply.
11.6 Respirators
11.6.1 The need for respiratory protection shall be assessed by EHS at the request of the Chemical Hygiene Officer or designate.
11.6.2 Respirators are provided for (specify processes or purpose). All employees issued respirators for any reason must follow all the requirements set forth in the Respiratory Protection Program.
11.6.3 Respirators used for emergency response are to be inspected monthly and after each use as described in the Respiratory Protection Program.
11.6.4 Some of the requirements of the respirator protection program include but are not limited to: annual training, medical evaluation, annual fit testing, and maintenance.
11.7 Employee Training
11.7.1 Employees should not work until they have received instruction on the proper selection, use, and limitations of the Personal Protective equipment (PPE).
11.8 Lab Visitors
11.8.1 All visitors or others entering the lab and subject to lab hazards must wear the safety PPE as employees as necessary.