Proper Lab Attire
As the weather begins to change, summer clothing is again making an appearance on campus. The warmer weather also makes this the ideal time to review what is considered proper lab attire.
In short, when working in the lab, ideally all skin should be protected from exposure. Most lab workers are aware of the benefits of proper PPE in the form of lab coats, gloves, and safety glasses, but did you know your personal clothing is actually your last line of defense against chemical or biological exposure? Long pants and closedtoed shoes cover areas of the body that lab coats do not protect. In the event of a dropped and broken bottle, your clothing may provide your only protection against exposure. Shorts, sandals and other opentoed shoes are not allowed in the lab for this reason. Ideally, shoes should be of leather or other impermeable substance instead of cloth. Skirts also should not be worn in the lab unless long enough that the legs are completely covered (tights and pantyhose are not considered adequate leg covering).
Unfortunately, I have first-hand knowledge of the importance of proper PPE, including long pants and proper shoes. While I was working in industry, I had a potentially serious chemical exposure during the course of an experiment. A syringe I was using failed, and the liquid inside splashed out of the hood and down the front of my clothing. The syringe contained sec-butyllithium, which generates large quantities of heat on contact with the moisture in the air. It is a close analog of t-butyllithium, the material responsible for the death of a UCLA lab worker discussed in the last issue of Lab Notes. Fortunately, I was wearing proper PPE, which literally saved my skin. The material generated enough heat that it burned through my lab coat and severely damaged the clothing underneath. But my PPE bought me precious seconds to remove the affected attire. My lab coat and sweater were disposed in the lab, but when I returned home I also found damage on the legs of my jeans. Had I been wearing shorts, that material would have been on my skin! (I also should have been in the safety shower immediately, but that's another article.)
Please take the time to make sure everyone in your lab understands this policy. During the summer it may be uncomfortable to wear appropriate lab attire, but it can make the difference between having time to get to the safety shower or making a trip to the hospital!