When Working in Laboratory Spaces –

• Be aware of potential eye safety hazards within the laboratory spaces. Hazards can include biological agents, chemicals (including disinfectants), optical radiation, heat, etc.
• Protective eyewear must be worn in all laboratory spaces where physical, biological, chemical hazards are present or whenever there is a chance of an eye injury.
• There are prescription safety glasses or over the glass (OTG) safety glasses are available. Standard prescription glasses are not impact resistant and are not suitable alternatives to safety glasses.
• “Fit testing” is needed to ensure the protective eyewear fits appropriately.
• Be sure all safety eyewear is marked “ANSI Z87.”
• Know the location of the nearest eyewash station, what practices should be performed if an eye exposure occurs, how to work the eyewash station, and where to, Incidents that should be reported include – injury, illness, exposure, injury-free or near miss.

Why is it necessary to wear safety goggles and a lab apron while performing experiments in the lab?

Safety glasses and safety goggles are used in the laboratory to protect the eyes. Safety goggles provide the best protection from chemicals splashing in the eyes because they protect the sides of the face. Safety glasses do not protect the sides of the face, so chemicals could still get into the eyes.

What is the purpose of safety goggles?

Departments are responsible for buying required personal protective equipment for employees as it relates to eye and face protection. Departments should consider purchasing prescription safety glasses, see OSHA’s Eye and Face Protection website, Employees are responsible for the costs of eye examinations.

Chemical and Biological Dust or mist Splashes of liquids Extreme Heat and Cold Flying Objects Impact or Explosion Radiation

General Requirements

Employees must use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards. Eye and face PPE must be marked to identify the manufacturer and the ANSI Z87 standard marking on the frame. Eye and face protection must meet ANSI Z87.1- “American National Standard Practice of Occupational and Education Eye and Face Protection”. Safety eyewear can be worn over prescription lenses and should not disturb the proper position of other safety apparel. Safety eyewear can be purchased that incorporates prescription vision correction in the design. ( [email protected] ) OSHA provides reference guidance in OSHA’s Eye and Face Protection eTool

Types of Eye and Face Protection Safety Glasses

Standard safety glasses are designed to protect against light to moderate impact and flying particles and are constructed of metal or plastic with impact-resistant glass or plastic lenses. Safety glasses must have shatter-proof lenses, impact resistant frames and provide side protection. Detachable side protectors (e.g. clip-on or slide-on shields) are acceptable if they meet the ANSI requirements. Metal frame safety glasses shall not be used when performing electrical work The employee is responsible to obtain any prescription for corrective lenses.

Limitations:

Standard safety glasses are not impervious to all impacts. They can also be dislodged easier than other eye protection. Safety glasses do not prevent liquids from entering into the eyes from a splash to the face. Safety glasses do not protect against vapors or airborne particulates. Prescription Safety Glasses guidance and ordering information,

Safety Goggles

Safety goggles are tight-fitting eye protection that completely cover the eyes, eye sockets and the facial area around the eyes and provide protection from impact, dust, mists, and splashes. Safety goggles can be worn over prescription lenses. Safety goggles are available with perforated, port-vented, or non-vented frames.Safety goggles should be worn when working with liquids that may splash or if vapor or airborne particulate protection is required.

Limitations:

Safety goggles can fog when in use

Face Shields

Face shields provide general protection to the entire face for a variety of hazards, such as flying debris, chemical splash, arc flash, UV radiation, and extreme heat. Impact rated face shields can be worn or face shields must be worn over primary eye protection (safety glasses or goggles) when there is a potential exposure to flying fragments or objects, hot sparks from furnace operations, potential splash from molten metal, or extreme temperatures.

Limitations:

Some face shields are not rated for impact protection. Face shields do not protect against airborne particulate hazards

Welding Shields

Welding shields are constructed of vulcanized fiber or fiberglass and fitted with a filtered lens. The shield assemblies consist of vulcanized fiber or glass-fiber body, a ratchet or button type adjustable headgear or cap attachment, and a filter and cover plate holder. Welding shields protect eyes from burns caused by infrared or intense radiant energy. Welding shields protect both the eyes and face from flying sparks, metal spatter and slag chips produced during welding, brazing, and soldering. OSHA requires welding shield filter lenses to have a shade number appropriate to protect against the specific hazards of the work being performed in order to protect against harmful light radiation. See “Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy” for information. ( [email protected] )

Welding Helmets

Welding helmets protect the eyes and face from infrared or radiant light burns, flying sparks, metal splatter, and slag chips encountered during welding, torch brazing, torch soldering, resistance welding, bare or shielded electrical arc welding, and oxy-acetylene work. Welding helmets should only be used over primary eye protection (i.e. safety glasses or safety goggles). Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Limitations:

Welding helmets do not protect against airborne particulates Welding helmets do not protect against head impact hazards except the face.

Laser Safety Glasses/Goggles

Laser safety glasses/goggles protect against intense concentrations of light produced by lasers. Laser safety glasses/goggles selection is dependent upon the laser equipment and operating conditions. For use of eye protection around lasers please refer to the Laser Eye Protection Selection Guide

Limitations:

Visibility

Electrical PPE for the Eyes

Electrical PPE for the eyes is covered in Appendix G PPE Body Protection Information of the Electrical Safety website.

Selection of Eye and Face Protection Guide

Storage and Care

Always follow manufacturer’s guidance for cleaning, storage and care. Store to prevent scratching and damage. Do not store equipment with potential exposure to high heat or direct sunlight. Inspect prior to use. Damaged or broken equipment should be discarded. Lenses that are pitted or deeply scratched are more prone to break under impact and should be replaced. Clean eye and face protection according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the manufacturer’s instructions are not available, clean with a mild soap and water solution and rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry. PPE that has been previously used by other personnel should be disinfected before issuing to another person. Follow manufacturer guidance for cleaning.

What is the most important piece of safety equipment to be wearing during the lab?

Personal Protective Equipment in the Lab With the arrival of summer and warm – or rather, hot – weather, people have switched their wardrobes to warm weather wear. Often, summertime attire, such as shorts, short skirts, sandals and flip flops, is chosen strictly for comfort and to combat the heat. However, anyone who works in a laboratory should remember that safety is just as important in the summer as at any other time of year. With that in mind, we would like to remind everyone of appropriate clothing and equipment for personal protection in a laboratory. Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes all clothing and work accessories designed to protect employees from workplace hazards. However, personal protection starts with personal clothing choices as well. While not considered PPE, personal clothing offers a measure of protection against chemical splash and other hazards. For this reason, long pants are a much better option than shorts or short skirts. Closed-toe shoes are also a must for lab workers; they protect against chemical splash, moving machinery, sharp objects, hot materials, and falling objects. Crocs or other shoes with holes in the tops are not appropriate foot protection. A recent lab accident resulted in severe chemical burns on the worker’s legs and feet, because the person was wearing shorts and flip flips. Lab workers should also avoid wearing or should secure loose clothing and should tie back long hair. Loose clothing or long hair can be dragged through chemicals in beakers or open flames (such as on a Bunsen burner) or get caught in equipment. Long, loose sleeves on a shirt or sweater can even knock over items on the bench top. Subscribe to our free Lab Health & Safety newsletter. When working in a lab, PPE is almost always necessary to protect workers from chemical exposures and other hazards. A lab coat or other protective clothing should be worn whenever chemicals or biological materials are handled. The lab coat will protect the wearer’s personal clothing and exposed skin (such as on arms) from contaminants. Lab coats should be buttoned closed for best protection. Gloves should also be worn whenever handling hazardous materials, even in small quantities. It is important to choose the appropriate type glove for the hazard present, such as chemical resistant gloves, heat resistant gloves, etc. Be aware that no chemical resistant glove protects against all chemical hazards. Read the Material Safety Data Sheet for guidance on the appropriate type of glove to wear, or consult with lab supply distributors for glove vs. chemical comparison charts when choosing chemically resistant gloves. Eye and face protection is extremely important when working in a lab and must be worn if hazards exist that could cause eye or face injury. Safety glasses and goggles provide protection against impact hazards, while chemical splash goggles provide the best protection against chemical splash. Even if the quantity of chemical is small or engineering controls, such as fume hoods, are used, eye protection must be worn. Other types of goggles offer protection from laser or UV hazards. Face shields protect the entire face from projectiles and offers some protection from splashes. Safety glasses or goggles must be worn under face shields. Lab coats, gloves, and safety eyewear are the basic PPE needed in a lab. Additional PPE may be needed for other hazards. With the arrival of summer and warm – or rather, hot – weather, people have switched their wardrobes to warm weather wear. Often, summertime attire, such as shorts, short skirts, sandals and flip flops, is chosen strictly for comfort and to combat the heat. However, anyone who works in a laboratory should remember that safety is just as important in the summer as at any other time of year. With that in mind, we would like to remind everyone of appropriate clothing and equipment for personal protection in a laboratory. Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes all clothing and work accessories designed to protect employees from workplace hazards. However, personal protection starts with personal clothing choices as well. While not considered PPE, personal clothing offers a measure of protection against chemical splash and other hazards. For this reason, long pants are a much better option than shorts or short skirts. Closed-toe shoes are also a must for lab workers; they protect against chemical splash, moving machinery, sharp objects, hot materials, and falling objects. Crocs or other shoes with holes in the tops are not appropriate foot protection. A recent lab accident resulted in severe chemical burns on the worker’s legs and feet, because the person was wearing shorts and flip flips. Lab workers should also avoid wearing or should secure loose clothing and should tie back long hair. Loose clothing or long hair can be dragged through chemicals in beakers or open flames (such as on a Bunsen burner) or get caught in equipment. Long, loose sleeves on a shirt or sweater can even knock over items on the bench top. Subscribe to our free Lab Health & Safety newsletter. When working in a lab, PPE is almost always necessary to protect workers from chemical exposures and other hazards. A lab coat or other protective clothing should be worn whenever chemicals or biological materials are handled. The lab coat will protect the wearer’s personal clothing and exposed skin (such as on arms) from contaminants. Lab coats should be buttoned closed for best protection. Gloves should also be worn whenever handling hazardous materials, even in small quantities. It is important to choose the appropriate type glove for the hazard present, such as chemical resistant gloves, heat resistant gloves, etc. Be aware that no chemical resistant glove protects against all chemical hazards. Read the Material Safety Data Sheet for guidance on the appropriate type of glove to wear, or consult with lab supply distributors for glove vs. chemical comparison charts when choosing chemically resistant gloves. Eye and face protection is extremely important when working in a lab and must be worn if hazards exist that could cause eye or face injury. Safety glasses and goggles provide protection against impact hazards, while chemical splash goggles provide the best protection against chemical splash. Even if the quantity of chemical is small or engineering controls, such as fume hoods, are used, eye protection must be worn. Other types of goggles offer protection from laser or UV hazards. Face shields protect the entire face from projectiles and offers some protection from splashes. Safety glasses or goggles must be worn under face shields. Lab coats, gloves, and safety eyewear are the basic PPE needed in a lab. Additional PPE may be needed for other hazards. “,”displayType”:”Default”,”ormArticleId”:”4990717E-90B1-1C0B-F6FBA79276235DC8″,”coreArticleNo”:null,”redirectURL”:””,”slug”:”personal-protective-equipment-in-the-lab”,”isDraft”:false,”allowComments”:0,”siteNo”:2,”publishedDate”:”2009-07-31 00:00:00″,”prominentUntilDate”:”2020-01-27 12:13:26″,”createdDate”:”2019-12-09 17:31:44″,”lastUpdated”:”Jun 28, 2023″,”isDeleted”:false,”contentType”:”Article”,”authors”:,”assets”:}],”categories”:,”magazineIssues”:,”tags”:,”attributes”:,”eventInfo”:””,”sponsorships”:,”vendors”:,”hasAuthors”:true,”authorText”:”Lab Manager”,”authorLink”:””,”authorStructuredData”:”\”author\”:,”,”hasCategories”:true,”categoryText”:”Lab Health and Safety”,”categoryNameList”:,”categoryNoList”:,”disablePDF”:false,”articleUrl”:”/personal-protective-equipment-in-the-lab-20269″,”articleType”:”Article”,”contentTypeSlug”:””,”displayCategory”:,”mainCategory”:,”showCategoryLabel”:true,”hasTags”:true,”tagText”:”Safety tips, Personal Protective Equipment”,”tagNameList”:,”hasMagazineIssues”:false,”limitedSummary”:”Summertime attire, such as shorts, short skirts, sandals and flip flops, is chosen strictly for comfort and to combat the heat, but is not acceptable in the lab”,”summaryStructuredData”:” Summertime attire, such as shorts, short skirts, sandals and flip flops, is chosen strictly for comfort and to combat the heat, but is not acceptable in the lab “,”bodyStructuredData”:” With the arrival of summer and warm – or rather, hot – weather, people have switched their wardrobes to warm weather wear. Often, summertime attire, such as shorts, short skirts, sandals and flip flops, is chosen strictly for comfort and to combat the heat. However, anyone who works in a laboratory should remember that safety is just as important in the summer as at any other time of year. With that in mind, we would like to remind everyone of appropriate clothing and equipment for personal protection in a laboratory. Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes all clothing and work accessories designed to protect employees from workplace hazards. However, personal protection starts with personal clothing choices as well. While not considered PPE, personal clothing offers a measure of protection against chemical splash and other hazards. For this reason, long pants are a much better option than shorts or short skirts. Closed-toe shoes are also a must for lab workers; they protect against chemical splash, moving machinery, sharp objects, hot materials, and falling objects. Crocs or other shoes with holes in the tops are not appropriate foot protection. A recent lab accident resulted in severe chemical burns on the worker’s legs and feet, because the person was wearing shorts and flip flips. Lab workers should also avoid wearing or should secure loose clothing and should tie back long hair. Loose clothing or long hair can be dragged through chemicals in beakers or open flames (such as on a Bunsen burner) or get caught in equipment. Long, loose sleeves on a shirt or sweater can even knock over items on the bench top. When working in a lab, PPE is almost always necessary to protect workers from chemical exposures and other hazards. A lab coat or other protective clothing should be worn whenever chemicals or biological materials are handled. The lab coat will protect the wearer’s personal clothing and exposed skin (such as on arms) from contaminants. Lab coats should be buttoned closed for best protection. Gloves should also be worn whenever handling hazardous materials, even in small quantities. It is important to choose the appropriate type glove for the hazard present, such as chemical resistant gloves, heat resistant gloves, etc. Be aware that no chemical resistant glove protects against all chemical hazards. Read the Material Safety Data Sheet for guidance on the appropriate type of glove to wear, or consult with lab supply distributors for glove vs. chemical comparison charts when choosing chemically resistant gloves. Eye and face protection is extremely important when working in a lab and must be worn if hazards exist that could cause eye or face injury. Safety glasses and goggles provide protection against impact hazards, while chemical splash goggles provide the best protection against chemical splash. Even if the quantity of chemical is small or engineering controls, such as fume hoods, are used, eye protection must be worn. Other types of goggles offer protection from laser or UV hazards. Face shields protect the entire face from projectiles and offers some protection from splashes. Safety glasses or goggles must be worn under face shields. Lab coats, gloves, and safety eyewear are the basic PPE needed in a lab. Additional PPE may be needed for other hazards. “,”readingTimeEstimate”:2,”aImg”:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ]},”hImg”:null,”articleImageStructuredData”:”\”image\” :,”,”hasAssets”:true,”eventDate”:,”hasEvent”:false,”pastEvent”:false,”isSponsored”:false,”isProminent”:false,”publishedDateText”:”Jul 30, 2009″,”fullSlug”:”/personal-protective-equipment-in-the-lab-20269″,”cleanURL”:”personal-protective-equipment-in-the-lab-20269″,”absoluteURL”:”https://www.labmanager.com/personal-protective-equipment-in-the-lab-20269″,”contentInterests”:,”tagNos”:,”tagCleanUrlList”:”safety-tips,personalprotectiveequipment”,”isDefault”:true,”isFeatured”:false,”isHero”:false,”isHeader”:false,”isConversion”:false,”sortedaImages”:, ],”X”:,”L”:,”M”:,”S”:,”T”:,”TL”:},”altTag”:”Safety in your lab”},”isWebinar”:false,”wordCount”:541,”adsTargetValue”:”safety-tips,personalprotectiveequipment”,”attachedArticles”:null,”sponsoredVendorNos”:,”sponsorNames”:,”singleAuthorAsset”:null,”showAttachedArticles”:true,”disableAutoAttachedArticles”:false,”mobileAdPositionNums”:0} data-order=first> With the arrival of summer and warm – or rather, hot – weather, people have switched their wardrobes to warm weather wear. Often, summertime attire, such as shorts, short skirts, sandals and flip flops, is chosen strictly for comfort and to combat the heat. However, anyone who works in a laboratory should remember that safety is just as important in the summer as at any other time of year. With that in mind, we would like to remind everyone of appropriate clothing and equipment for personal protection in a laboratory. Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes all clothing and work accessories designed to protect employees from workplace hazards. However, personal protection starts with personal clothing choices as well. While not considered PPE, personal clothing offers a measure of protection against chemical splash and other hazards. For this reason, long pants are a much better option than shorts or short skirts. Closed-toe shoes are also a must for lab workers; they protect against chemical splash, moving machinery, sharp objects, hot materials, and falling objects. Crocs or other shoes with holes in the tops are not appropriate foot protection. A recent lab accident resulted in severe chemical burns on the worker’s legs and feet, because the person was wearing shorts and flip flips. Lab workers should also avoid wearing or should secure loose clothing and should tie back long hair. Loose clothing or long hair can be dragged through chemicals in beakers or open flames (such as on a Bunsen burner) or get caught in equipment. Long, loose sleeves on a shirt or sweater can even knock over items on the bench top. Subscribe to our free Lab Health & Safety newsletter. When working in a lab, PPE is almost always necessary to protect workers from chemical exposures and other hazards. A lab coat or other protective clothing should be worn whenever chemicals or biological materials are handled. The lab coat will protect the wearer’s personal clothing and exposed skin (such as on arms) from contaminants. Lab coats should be buttoned closed for best protection. Gloves should also be worn whenever handling hazardous materials, even in small quantities. It is important to choose the appropriate type glove for the hazard present, such as chemical resistant gloves, heat resistant gloves, etc. Be aware that no chemical resistant glove protects against all chemical hazards. Read the Material Safety Data Sheet for guidance on the appropriate type of glove to wear, or consult with lab supply distributors for glove vs. chemical comparison charts when choosing chemically resistant gloves. Eye and face protection is extremely important when working in a lab and must be worn if hazards exist that could cause eye or face injury. Safety glasses and goggles provide protection against impact hazards, while chemical splash goggles provide the best protection against chemical splash. Even if the quantity of chemical is small or engineering controls, such as fume hoods, are used, eye protection must be worn. Other types of goggles offer protection from laser or UV hazards. Face shields protect the entire face from projectiles and offers some protection from splashes. Safety glasses or goggles must be worn under face shields. Lab coats, gloves, and safety eyewear are the basic PPE needed in a lab. Additional PPE may be needed for other hazards. “,”displayType”:”Default”,”ormArticleId”:”4990717E-90B1-1C0B-F6FBA79276235DC8″,”coreArticleNo”:null,”redirectURL”:””,”slug”:”personal-protective-equipment-in-the-lab”,”isDraft”:false,”allowComments”:0,”siteNo”:2,”publishedDate”:”2009-07-31 00:00:00″,”prominentUntilDate”:”2020-01-27 12:13:26″,”createdDate”:”2019-12-09 17:31:44″,”lastUpdated”:”Jun 28, 2023″,”isDeleted”:false,”contentType”:”Article”,”authors”:,”assets”:}],”categories”:,”magazineIssues”:,”tags”:,”attributes”:,”eventInfo”:””,”sponsorships”:,”vendors”:,”hasAuthors”:true,”authorText”:”Lab Manager”,”authorLink”:””,”authorStructuredData”:”\”author\”:,”,”hasCategories”:true,”categoryText”:”Lab Health and Safety”,”categoryNameList”:,”categoryNoList”:,”disablePDF”:false,”articleUrl”:”/personal-protective-equipment-in-the-lab-20269″,”articleType”:”Article”,”contentTypeSlug”:””,”displayCategory”:,”mainCategory”:,”showCategoryLabel”:true,”hasTags”:true,”tagText”:”Safety tips, Personal Protective Equipment”,”tagNameList”:,”hasMagazineIssues”:false,”limitedSummary”:”Summertime attire, such as shorts, short skirts, sandals and flip flops, is chosen strictly for comfort and to combat the heat, but is not acceptable in the lab”,”summaryStructuredData”:” Summertime attire, such as shorts, short skirts, sandals and flip flops, is chosen strictly for comfort and to combat the heat, but is not acceptable in the lab “,”bodyStructuredData”:” With the arrival of summer and warm – or rather, hot – weather, people have switched their wardrobes to warm weather wear. Often, summertime attire, such as shorts, short skirts, sandals and flip flops, is chosen strictly for comfort and to combat the heat. However, anyone who works in a laboratory should remember that safety is just as important in the summer as at any other time of year. With that in mind, we would like to remind everyone of appropriate clothing and equipment for personal protection in a laboratory. Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes all clothing and work accessories designed to protect employees from workplace hazards. However, personal protection starts with personal clothing choices as well. While not considered PPE, personal clothing offers a measure of protection against chemical splash and other hazards. For this reason, long pants are a much better option than shorts or short skirts. Closed-toe shoes are also a must for lab workers; they protect against chemical splash, moving machinery, sharp objects, hot materials, and falling objects. Crocs or other shoes with holes in the tops are not appropriate foot protection. A recent lab accident resulted in severe chemical burns on the worker’s legs and feet, because the person was wearing shorts and flip flips. Lab workers should also avoid wearing or should secure loose clothing and should tie back long hair. Loose clothing or long hair can be dragged through chemicals in beakers or open flames (such as on a Bunsen burner) or get caught in equipment. Long, loose sleeves on a shirt or sweater can even knock over items on the bench top. When working in a lab, PPE is almost always necessary to protect workers from chemical exposures and other hazards. A lab coat or other protective clothing should be worn whenever chemicals or biological materials are handled. The lab coat will protect the wearer’s personal clothing and exposed skin (such as on arms) from contaminants. Lab coats should be buttoned closed for best protection. Gloves should also be worn whenever handling hazardous materials, even in small quantities. It is important to choose the appropriate type glove for the hazard present, such as chemical resistant gloves, heat resistant gloves, etc. Be aware that no chemical resistant glove protects against all chemical hazards. Read the Material Safety Data Sheet for guidance on the appropriate type of glove to wear, or consult with lab supply distributors for glove vs. chemical comparison charts when choosing chemically resistant gloves. Eye and face protection is extremely important when working in a lab and must be worn if hazards exist that could cause eye or face injury. Safety glasses and goggles provide protection against impact hazards, while chemical splash goggles provide the best protection against chemical splash. Even if the quantity of chemical is small or engineering controls, such as fume hoods, are used, eye protection must be worn. Other types of goggles offer protection from laser or UV hazards. Face shields protect the entire face from projectiles and offers some protection from splashes. Safety glasses or goggles must be worn under face shields. Lab coats, gloves, and safety eyewear are the basic PPE needed in a lab. Additional PPE may be needed for other hazards. “,”readingTimeEstimate”:2,”aImg”:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ]},”hImg”:null,”articleImageStructuredData”:”\”image\” :,”,”hasAssets”:true,”eventDate”:,”hasEvent”:false,”pastEvent”:false,”isSponsored”:false,”isProminent”:false,”publishedDateText”:”Jul 30, 2009″,”fullSlug”:”/personal-protective-equipment-in-the-lab-20269″,”cleanURL”:”personal-protective-equipment-in-the-lab-20269″,”absoluteURL”:”https://www.labmanager.com/personal-protective-equipment-in-the-lab-20269″,”contentInterests”:,”tagNos”:,”tagCleanUrlList”:”safety-tips,personalprotectiveequipment”,”isDefault”:true,”isFeatured”:false,”isHero”:false,”isHeader”:false,”isConversion”:false,”sortedaImages”:, ],”X”:,”L”:,”M”:,”S”:,”T”:,”TL”:},”altTag”:”Safety in your lab”},”isWebinar”:false,”wordCount”:541,”adsTargetValue”:”safety-tips,personalprotectiveequipment”,”attachedArticles”:null,”sponsoredVendorNos”:,”sponsorNames”:,”singleAuthorAsset”:null,”showAttachedArticles”:true,”disableAutoAttachedArticles”:false,”mobileAdPositionNums”:0} data-order=second> : Personal Protective Equipment in the Lab

Should safety goggles be worn at all times while working in the laboratory even when cleaning up after an experiment?

Back to Table of Contents Read Chapter 1, especially pp.15-23, of the textbook before coming to your first laboratory session. You will fill out the Safety-device Location Worksheet during your first laboratory session. The importance of safety precautions in a Chemistry laboratory cannot be overemphasized.

The following safety rules must be followed, Use common sense when working with chemicals and laboratory apparatus. As safety is an integral part of this course, your TA will be grading you for compliance with these safety rules. Laboratory Safety Rules 1. You must NOT be in the laboratory without a TA present.

The laboratory sessions are four hours in length. You will not be allowed in lab after your lab session has ended.2. Safety goggles for eye protection must be worn properly in the laboratory at all times, If you need to remove your goggles, step outside the laboratory to do so.

Prescription eyeglasses (even with safety lenses) do not provide adequate eye protection, especially from the sides. Therefore, you will be removed from the laboratory if you are found without safety goggles covering your eyes. It is very strongly recommended that you NOT wear contact lenses of any kind in the laboratory.

You should read the safety information on contact lenses and laboratory accidents posted outside the lab. Please check with the course instructor if you absolutely need to wear contact lenses. If you get anything in your eyes, use the eye wash station or the eye wash faucet to wash your eyes thoroughly with plenty of water and notify your TA immediately.3.

Lab coat for bodily protection must be worn properly in the laboratory at all times.4. Closed-toed shoes that completely cover the foot MUST be worn in the laboratory at all times. Sandals or perforated shoes are not permitted, as broken glass and spilled chemicals are constant hazards.5. Shorts and short skirts (above the ankle) will NOT be allowed.

Shirts/blouses should protect the upper body. Loose clothing should not be worn. Do not wear hosiery as it will “melt” upon contact with acid and some chemicals.6. You MUST note the location of the fire extinguishers, safety showers, eye washes, and first-aid kits in the laboratory, so that you will know where to obtain these items if they are needed.

You will fill out the Safety-device Location Worksheet during your first laboratory session.7. Many of the chemicals used in the laboratory experiments will be new to you. You should become acquainted with the properties of every new chemical you use. The Merck Index and www.chemfinder.com are good sources for finding the properties and toxicities of many organic compounds.

Access to material safety data sheets through various web sites can be obtained on the School of Chemical Sciences Safety Resources Web Page at safety.scs.uiuc.edu. All chemicals should be treated as though they are toxic. Compounds can enter the body by being absorbed through the skin, or by being inhaled or ingested.

• Therefore, (a) Keep vessels covered.
• Put the caps back on the solvent bottles immediately.
• Never evaporate solvents other than water into the atmosphere.
• Wipe up any spills immediately.
• In order to check for an odor, hold the sample about a foot away from your face and gently fan the vapors towards your nose.

Do not put anything in your mouth. (b) You should use the gloves that are available. Keep your bench top clean! DO NOT rub your eyes or your face without first washing your hands. If something does get into your eyes, remember to wash your eyes with plenty of water and notify your TA.

You should protect your clothing by wearing a lab coat. Always wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the laboratory session. If you have any cuts or scrapes, cover them with band-aids, etc., before coming to the laboratory. (c) To dilute acids, carefully and slowly add the concentrated acid to the water, never the other way around.

This avoids dangerous splattering. “Do like you oughta, add acid to water”.8. Never heat a closed system! Always use boiling chips when heating any liquid, even water. When heating a test tube, never point it at yourself or at anyone else. Never heat flammable solvents (i.e., anything other than water) in an open container with a Bunsen burner.

When you want to use a Bunsen burner, make sure that none of your neighbors is using a flammable solvent and that there are no flammables in the immediate area. Light the match first, then turn on the gas while holding the match close to the top of the burner. Long hair must be tied back. Do not wear garments with floppy sleeves or loose wrist cuffs.

Turn off the Bunsen burner immediately when you are finished with it.9. Do not use cracked or chipped glassware. Examine your glassware for “star” cracks. Broken glassware should be replaced immediately with new glassware from the storeroom. Do not handle broken glass with your hands.

Sweep it up, or use a piece of toweling to grasp the pieces. The storeroom has leather gloves to wear while cleaning up broken glassware.10. Only aqueous solutions (e.g., aqueous acids and bases) may be discarded down the drain. Flush them down with plenty of water. Other waste materials, both liquid and solid, should be disposed of into the properlabeled waste containers located in the hoods.

Broken thermometers should be put into jars located in the hoods. Ask your TA to assist you in cleaning up any spilled mercury.11. In the case of an accident (cuts, burns, reaction to a chemical, etc.), inform your TA immediately. A limited degree of first-aid is available in the storeroom, 469 Noyes Lab.

If you are seriously injured, you will be taken to the medical center. Report all accidents immediately. Your health is more important than your grade in Chem 233! 12. Never pour chemicals directly from the storage containers directly into your reaction vessel.13. Smoking, eating, and drinking are not permitted in the laboratory.

Do not bring food or beverages into the laboratory.14. No pets are allowed in the laboratory.14. No “horseplay” is allowed in the laboratory.16. No radios or CD players are allowed in the laboratory. A good perception of your surroundings is very important in a chemical laboratory.

1. This state of mind requires your full attention.
2. Take care of yourself and your neighbors.
3. Immediately warn your neighbor if you see him/her doing something dangerous.
4. It is natural for you to feel somewhat confused at times.
5. Do not be hesitate to ask your TA or the storeroom manager for guidance with the use of the laboratory equipment or for advice on safety matters.

Please respect the fact that other students must use the common laboratory equipment, such as the balances, melting point apparati, hoods, etc. Take care of this equipment, and clean up your messes immediately. Safety and Emergency Equipment In 467 Noyes Lab The Chem 233 laboratory sessions will be held in 467 Noyes Laboratory.

Before you begin laboratory work in this course, you must complete the Safety Device Location Worksheet,,Locate each of the items listed below and mark their locations on the Worksheet by using the symbols shown in the table. Indicate where your own area is located, and then indicate where the six nearest Eye-Wash Faucets are in relation to your work area.

You must wear appropriate clothing in the laboratory at all times. You MUST wear your safety goggles over your eyes at all times in the laboratory! DO NOT wear loose or skimpy clothing (saris, neckties, shorts, halter-tops, overly large or ragged laboratory coats). DO wear closed shoes in the lab. DO NOT wear sandals or perforated shoes. Long hair must be tied back. For additional laboratory safety information and resources access the School of Chemical Sciences Web page at safety.scs.uiuc.edu Back to Table of Contents

Why safety shoes and goggles are important in chemical industry?

Safety goggles are designed to provide eye protection against various hazards like chemical splashes, contaminants in lab, clean-rooms, heavy industrial environments with a direct or indirect venting design.

Is goggles a protective equipment?

What are safety goggles? – There are two main differences that are most apparent between Safety Glasses and Safety Goggles, Firstly, protective glasses (goggles) are held to the wearers face using an elasticated strap running around the back of the head, as opposed to the side-arms on Glasses.

The impact protection of safety goggles can be higher, up to Medium Energy Impact rating “B” (Resists a 6mm, 0.86g ball travelling at 120m/s). For an even higher rating you will need to look at Face Shields. The face-fitting seal will provide added protection against airborne particles, and also protect the eyes from liquid, or chemical, splash. Safety Glasses will have gaps around the lens that mean this level of protection can’t be provided.

Other features to look for on protective safety eye goggles: Ventilation: As protective goggles have an inner seal, this can mean that airflow is limited around the lens which can then cause misting and limit vision. To avoid this, many goggle glasses will have some kind of “ventilation” built-in, mostly around the side or top of the goggle frame.

• Direct vents are open, uncovered vents to allow airflow, but this compromises the protection against splash and airborne particles.
• Indirect vents are mostly covered vents, designed to allow airflow but block liquid splash from entering through the vents.
• The preferred way to prevent misting though is to use safety goggles that have an Anti-Mist coating on the lens, so that protection isn’t compromised through the use of vents.

Optical Clarity: This is the same for safety goggles as it is for Glasses, and we recommend using goggle glasses with an Optical Clarity Class 1 rating. Size and Shape: Take note also of the size and shape of the lens and frame, such that the design won’t impair the field of vision when being worn.

Should safety glasses only be worn when performing a hazardous experiment?

Answer and Explanation: Eye protection must always be worn inside the lab, either in the form of safety glasses or safety goggles. This eyewear is not only designed to protect your eyes from coming in contact with hazardous materials or substances, such as a strong acid or strong base.

Should splash proof safety goggles be worn at all times during a chemistry lab?

Safety in Chemistry Labs | chemistry

1. Chemical safety goggles must be worn in the laboratory at all times, even when not performing an experiment. Anyone not wearing eye protection in the lab may be subject to disciplinary action by the faculty member or teaching assistant in charge of the course.
2. Faculty, staff members, and teaching assistants in the Department of Chemistry may dismiss students from a lab section for working in an unsafe manner.
3. Appropriate clothing must be worn in the lab. In particular, long pants and a T-shirt with short sleeves (or something equivalent) should be worn. The shirt or blouse must cover the midriff area such that no skin is visible, and the shoulders must be covered. Long sleeves are acceptable provided they do not represent a hazard by being too loose. No sandals or open toed shoes are allowed. Gym shoes make a good choice. Any loose clothing must be restrained in a suitable manner. A student will be dismissed from lab if she/he is not dressed appropriately.
4. Eating, drinking, and smoking are not allowed in any laboratory. Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the building.
5. Contact lenses are not allowed to be worn in the chemistry laboratory classes.
6. Familiarize yourself with the location of safety equipment (including fire extinguishers, safety showers, eye washes, and first-aid kits), evacuation routes, and other safety practices.
7. Some operations must be carried out in a fume hood to minimize exposure to chemical vapors. Some reactions may require additional precautions.
8. Wash your hands often when performing lab work, and wash them thoroughly upon leaving the lab.
9. In the case of an injury:

• Notify your direct supervisor (faculty member or teaching assistant) immediately. All injuries, no matter how small, must be reported. A written accident report must be filed within 24 hours. If your direct supervisor is not immediately available, notify a substitute responsible authority within the Department of Chemistry.
• Your supervisor will notify the proper personnel, the injured person will be transported to the health center or emergency room, and the injury will be examined and properly treated.
• If you get a burning sensation on your skin or in your eyes after lab hours, report to the health center or a physician, and explain your symptoms as well as its possible connection to your lab work.
• Burning of the eyes should be treated by flushing with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. It is necessary to hold open the eyelid during the flushing process.
• Burning of the skin should be treated by extensive washing with soap and water.
• All chemical spills, glassware breakage, and fires must be reported to your supervisor.
• If there is an extensive chemical spill on a person, use the safety shower. Remove all contaminated clothing. There is no room for embarrassment in emergency situations. It could be the difference between life and death.
• If your clothes are on fire, roll on the floor. Do not run to the fire blanket (located near the exit of each lab) or the shower.

1. Be prepared before entering the laboratory. Read and reread all lab procedures to identify possible hazards. If you are not certain about how to perform an operation safely, ask your supervisor.
2. Be aware of what your neighbor is doing. If his/her actions indicate confusion or ignorance, inform your supervisor.
3. Never leave glassware set up or a reaction unattended. Exceptions must have the approval of the lab supervisor.
4. Read the reagent bottle – TWICE! Make sure you have selected the correct chemical. Never pipet directly from a reagent bottle. Never put unused reagent back in the bottle – dispose of it properly.
5. All broken or cracked glass should be disposed of in marked containers in the lab. Never put broken glass in the waste paper can.
6. Dispose of chemical waste as directed by your lab supervisor. Clean up your work area completely when finished. Any chemical spills need to be dealt with immediately.
7. If you are assigned specific laboratory space, keep it neat enough to work effectively. All drawers under lab benches should be kept closed when working in the lab and they should be locked (if so equipped) when not in use. Equipment signed out to individuals is the responsibility of that person – the department is not responsible for any missing or broken equipment during the course of the year.

: Safety in Chemistry Labs | chemistry

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