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Chapter 3 - Personal Protective Equipment

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Laboratory Attire and PPE – Baseline Expectations

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is one part of a broader system of controls and should be used in conjunction with engineering controls, administrative controls, and safe work practices. Cornell establishes a consistent baseline for laboratory attire and PPE to support a safe and predictable working environment across laboratories.

At a minimum, personnel working in laboratory spaces are expected to:

  • Wear a lab coat, safety glasses, and gloves appropriate to the work being performed
  • Wear leg coverings that fully cover the skin to the top of the footwear
  • Wear clothing that covers the torso
  • Wear footwear that fully encloses the foot (toe, heel, and sides) and provides a barrier to liquids
  • Secure long hair and beards when needed to prevent entanglement, ignition, or contamination hazards

Additional Requirements

Additional PPE may be required based on the hazards present, including but not limited to face shields, specialized gloves, flame-resistant clothing, or respiratory protection.

Laboratories may establish more protective requirements based on the hazards present, but should not reduce these baseline expectations where chemical, biological, or physical hazards are present.

These expectations are intended to provide a consistent foundation for safe work across laboratories while allowing flexibility based on specific hazards.

The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment standard, 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I, has the following requirements:

  • Hazard assessment and equipment selection
  • Employee training
  • Record keeping requirements
  • Guidelines for selecting PPE
  • Hazard assessment certification

EHS has developed a written Personal Protective Equipment Program in compliance with the OSHA standard. More information on PPE can be found in the OSHA Safety and Health Topics page on Personal Protective Equipment. Use the OSHA Eye and Face Protection eTool along with the Cornell PPE Assessment Form found in these two links while conducting a hazard assessment.

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