07.07.03 Lab Coat Policy

Criteria for Selection, Use, and Care of Laboratory Coats

University Policy requires a laboratory coat be worn for admittance into any laboratory area in which work with hazardous materials, flammable and corrosive materials, radioactive materials, and biological agents is conducted. This policy sets forth criteria for selection, use and care of lab coats. Failure/refusal to wear a required lab coat by employees is a basis for disciplinary action. A student not wearing a required lab coat in a laboratory/technical area may not participate in lab activities until such lab coat and/or other PPE is worn. This Policy may only be deviated from when a documented hazard assessment has been conducted and provides information that indicates that lab coat is not necessary.

Lab coats are an important part of personal protective equipment that serve to:

• Provide protection of skin and personal clothing from incidental contact.
• Prevent the spread of contamination outside the lab (provided they are not worn outside the lab).
• Provide a removable barrier in the event of an incident involving a spill or splash of hazardous substances.

Each supervisor is responsible for ensuring that his/her workers (employees, students, and visitors) use the appropriate lab coat per this Policy. Individual departments, research centers, and other operating units must determine what type of lab coat is necessary and if the workers supply their own or if it is department provided. Under no circumstances should the employee work without the necessary lab coat. Students in teaching lab settings are required to provide a lab coat at their own cost. Lab coats are required in all undergraduate labs where chemical, biological, or radiological materials are used. This includes but is not limited to labs for Chemistry, Biology, Material Science Engineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering.

All laboratory workers are responsible for following the requirements for wearing and properly maintaining lab coats as outlined in this Policy and in laboratory-specific safety training.

Selection of Lab coats: Lab coats are available in a variety of materials and provide varying degrees of protection. Examples include: splash resistant coats, static free coats, chemical resistant coats and flame-resistant coats. Please make sure that the lab coat you are selecting provides the type of protection that is appropriate for your needs. The first step in this selection process is to determine the types of hazards that exist in your lab and the reasons for the lab coats.

Considerations for conducting a hazard analysis:

• Does the lab conduct manipulations involving chemical, biological and radioactive materials?
• Does the lab store large quantities (>10gallons) of flammable liquids outside a flammable storage cabinet?
• Are there hot plates and open flames along with flammable liquids?
• Are there toxic chemicals in use or in storage in the lab?
• What types of engineering controls are available in the lab (e.g.: fume hood, glove box)?

After conducting a lab hazard analysis, it is time to select the appropriate lab coat. One coat may not provide protection against all the hazards present in one laboratory. A chart at the end of this document provides information about lab coats, materials, and protection offered.

Select lab coat/apron using the following requirements and recommendations:

• Length - At least hip length is required. Knee length or longer is recommended for most effective coverage.
• Wristband - It is recommended that a lab coat with a fitted wristband/cuff be used to reduce the potential for splashes up the arm and fire hazards. However, this is not required.
• Top button - It is best to use a lab coat that provides for a high top button at the neck to provide most effective protection.
• Fire resistant - Use only those constructed of a flame resistant material.

Lab coats made of polyester-cotton blends (no less than 35% cotton) are acceptable in labs where no open flames are present. Lab coats must be made of 100% cotton or flame resistant material in labs where open flames are used (such as alcohol burners). Labs that store large quantities (>10gallons) of flammable liquids outside a flammable storage cabinet must use lab coats made of 100% cotton treated with flame retardant material. Lab coats of flame resistant (FR) material are required in labs where pyrophoric materials are handled. Persons working with pyrophoric liquids are also required to wear 100% cotton clothing underneath the FR lab coat on days that they handle these materials in the lab.

Emergency spill or splash: In the event of a significant spill of a hazardous material on the lab coat, it should be immediately removed. If skin or personal clothing is impacted, it will be necessary to proceed to an emergency shower. Any contaminated clothing should also be removed. Guidance should be sought from OEHS about whether the coat and clothing should be cleaned or discarded as hazardous waste.

Emergency fire: The action will depend on circumstances of the fire. If only the lab coat is on fire, remove it, leave area, and call 6911 or activate fire alarm. If lab coat and clothing are on fire, shout for help then stop, drop, and roll; or proceed to an emergency shower (if close by) to extinguish fire. If the area is on fire, leave area, closing doors as you leave. Activate fire alarm and or call 6911. Seek follow-up medical attention. Below is a YouTube video developed by North Western University to demonstrate the importance of wearing a flame-resistant lab coat in a chemical laboratory http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quTegBMio6U.

The table below (www.ehs.columbia.edu) provides information on some typical lab coat materials available, with guidance on use and limitations. There is little or no information provided by manufacturers or distributors about the capability of a lab coat for a combination of hazards. A coat that is "flame resistant", such as treated cotton, may not be chemical resistant or acid resistant. The term "flame resistant,” refers to the characteristic of a fabric that causes it not to burn in air. There are limited criteria for testing lab coat materials with respect to typical lab use scenarios, and some of the information is anecdotal.