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
[email protected]. 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 email at [email protected]. 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.
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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 [email protected] for the respirator
assistance before buying or using a respirator.
The OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) 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 Z87.1-2010.
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.
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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
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Chemical Glove Types
Nitrile
Butyl
Silver Shield
Donning Off Chemical Gloves
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Neoprene
Glove Selection Tips:
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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.
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Types of Lab Coats
Normal Flame Resistant Lab Coat
Flame Retardant Lab Coat
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