Personal Protective Equipment

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OSHA's new final standard on personal protective equipment, 29CFR 1910 132, Subpart imposes several new and important requirements relating to basic safety and health programs. The standard adds new general requirements for the  selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Included in these requirements are the following:

• Employers must conduct a hazard assessment to determine if hazards present necessitate
   the use of PPE.

• Employers must certify in writing that the hazard assessment was conducted.

• PPE selection must be made on the basis of hazard assessment and affected workers
   properly trained.

• Defective or damaged PPE must not be used.

• Established training requirements for employees using PPE must be established. This should include requirements for employees to demonstrate an understanding of the training.

• Employer must certify in writing that training programs were provided and understood.

A variety of laboratory personal protective equipment is commercially available and commonly used in laboratories. However, for the equipment to perform the desired function, it must be used and managed properly. Laboratory supervisors and/or departmental chemical hygiene officers shall determine a need for such equipment, monitor its effectiveness, train the employees, and monitor and enforce the proper use of such equipment.

Eye Protection

Eye protection is mandatory in all areas where there is potential for injury. This applies to both permanent and temporary employees.

1. For most situations, safety glasses with side shields are adequate. Please note that the wearing of safety glasses does not excuse the employee from the requirement of wearing safety goggles.

2. Where there is a danger of splashing chemicals, flying particles, goggles are required. Examples are: washing glassware in chromic acid solution, grinding materials, or laboratory operations using glassware where there is significant hazard of explosion or breakage (i.e., in reduced or excess pressure or temperature).

3. More hazardous operations include conducting reactions which have potential for explosion and using or mixing strong caustics or acids. In these situations, a face shield or a combination of face shield and safety goggles or glasses should be used.

4. It is recommended that contact lenses not be permitted in the laboratory. The reasons for this prohibition are:
   • If a corrosive liquid should splash in the eye, the natural reflex to clamp the eyelids shut makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to remove the contact lens before damage is done.

   • The plastic used in contact lenses is permeable to some of the vapors found in the laboratory. These vapors can be trapped behind the lenses and can cause extensive irritation.

   • The lenses can prevent tears from removing the irritant. If the employee choose to wear contact lenses then they shall wear the protective goggles which fits loosely around the eyes and have no vents for access by vapors. If chemical vapors contact the eyes while wearing contact lenses, these steps should be followed:

     1. Immediately remove the lenses.
     2. Continuously flush the eyes, for at least 15 to 30 minutes.
     3. Seek medical attention.
   
   
5. If, despite all precautions, an employee should experience a splash of corrosive liquid in the eye, the employee is to proceed (with the assistance of a co-worker, if possible) to the nearest eyewash fountain and flush the eyes with water for at least 15 to 30 minutes. Flush from the eye outward. During this time, a co-worker should notify the proper authorities.

6. Visitors shall follow the same eye protection policy as employees. If they do not provide their own eye protection, it is the laboratory's responsibility to provide adequate protection. It should be the responsibility of the employee conducting the tour to enforce this policy. After use safety glasses/goggles used by visitors should be cleaned prior to reuse.

 Quiz for Eye Protection

Clothing

The following guidelines for laboratory clothing are offered strictly from a safety standpoint.