Environment, Health and Safety

3.1 Laboratory Responsibilities for Personal Protective Equipment

3.1 Laboratory Responsibilities for Personal Protective Equipment

Laboratory personnel must assess the hazards of specific operations conducted in their laboratories to determine what additional PPE is necessary to perform the work safely. PPE must be made available to laboratory workers to reduce exposures to hazardous chemicals and other laboratory hazards. Appropriate PPE may include gloves, eye protection, lab coats, face shields, aprons, boots, hearing protection, and other items selected based on the work being performed. PPE must be readily available, and most equipment is provided at no cost to the employee.

When selecting PPE for laboratory operations or experiments, a number of factors must be considered, including:

  • The materials being used, including their concentration and quantity
  • The hazards those materials present
  • The potential routes of exposure
  • The material from which the PPE is constructed
  • The permeation and degradation characteristics of the PPE material
  • The expected duration of contact or exposure

PPE should fit properly and be suitable for the individual and the task so that it can be worn consistently and effectively by laboratory personnel.

OSHA recommends selecting PPE that provides protection appropriate to the hazard. In some cases, this may mean selecting PPE that exceeds the minimum level of protection.

All personal protective equipment and protective clothing must be maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition. Only equipment that meets applicable NIOSH, ANSI, or other relevant consensus standards should be purchased or accepted for use.

There are a number of safety equipment suppliers who sell a wide variety of personal protective equipment. Check with the Purchasing department first to identify the Cornell preferred vendor and take advantage of discounted pricing. If you have questions about what PPE is most appropriate for your application, contact EHS at askEHS@cornell.edu.

Please Note: Cornell establishes baseline laboratory attire and PPE expectations for personnel working in laboratory spaces. Principal Investigators, laboratory supervisors, departments, and colleges may establish additional or more protective PPE requirements based on the hazards present, but should not reduce baseline protections where chemical, biological, or physical hazards are present. Check with your Department Safety Representative (DSR) for any department- or college-specific PPE requirements.