Personal Protective Equipment for Laboratories

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a vital means of worker protection, but it must always be the last line of defense after eliminating the hazard, substituting a less hazardous alternative, engineering controls (fume hoods, local ventilation, safety shields, work enclosures) and administrative changes.

• Specific guidance on the use of PPE can be found in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 and in the Dartmouth College Personal Protective Equipment Policy.

• Information and guidance on the selection and use of personal protective equipment is provided by EHS (646-1762), is included in the Dartmouth College Laboratory Safety Training Program and can be found in the EHS Laboratory Compliance Calendar.

Stockrooms:

Various types of protective equipment and safety supplies are available through the Scientific Stockrooms located in Remsen, Borwell and Burke.

Examples of these items include: reusable and disposable chemically resistant gloves, safety glasses, chemical splash goggles, face shields, lab coats, vacuum filters and other related products.

Eye and face protection (29 CFR 1910.133):

• Splash Goggles are required for handling toxic or corrosive liquids (that includes most liquid chemicals) and safety glasses are required for impact protection.
• Face shields must be used in conjunction with goggles or glasses for additional impact and splash protection.
• Contact EHS for help with specialty eyewear for UV light, lasers or welding.

Foot protection (29 CFR 1910.136):

• Open toed shoes, sandals and other open footwear is prohibited in all Dartmouth laboratories.
• Additionally, shorts and other garments that leave skin unprotected are forbidden in Dartmouth laboratories using hazardous materials (29 CFR 1910.1450 / Dartmouth College Chemical Hygiene Plan.)

Hand protection (29 CFR 1910.138):

Appropriate gloves must be worn for activities involving material or equipment that has a potential for: a chemical burn, a cryogenic burn, a thermal burn, adsorption through the skin, an electrical hazard, a biohazard, or any acute or chronic toxicity hazard.

Selection of chemically resistant gloves must consider:

1. The chemical handled 
2. Its ability to permeate various glove materials
3. The task(s) to be done and required dexterity
4. Any special concerns

For chemicals of unknown toxicity or those chemicals that have a special skin hazard designation--a flexible laminate glove is to be worn under a pair of heavy-duty chemically resistant outer gloves.

Information on glove selection and chemical resistance is found in the EHS laboratory calendar displayed in each laboratory and from Environmental Health and Safety.

Respiratory protection (1910.123):

Respirators may only be worn by participants in the College's Respiratory Protection Program--Call EHS (646-1762). Assuming engineering controls and appropriate work practices are followed, respirators should not be needed.

Hearing protection (1910.95):

Sonicators, etc. can be noisy-- Call EHS for assistance in selecting hearing protection (646-1762).

This Certification of Tasks Requiring Personal Protective Equipment
Prepared in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.132