Policy on Personal Protective Equipment Outside the Laboratory
Policy Scope
This policy establishes standards for lab personal protective equipment use outside the lab environment. This policy has been developed and implemented to prevent the contamination or potential spread of contamination out side of the lab environment. The General Duty clause of the OSHA Act requires that employers provide a place of employment “…free from recognized hazards.” Containing potential hazards within the lab environment minimizes the potential exposure to Brandies faculty, staff, students and visitors and conveys a professional and safe atmosphere.
Personal Protective Equipment
- Wearing gloves outside the lab is prohibited when you may contact public spaces (door handles, elevator buttons, etc.)
- Chemicals, animal containers etc., should be transported from place to place on a cart, in a clean secondary container, or in a bottle carrier with secure handles. Package the material so it may be handled without gloves.
- Gloves should never come in contact with door handles, elevator buttons, telephones, vending machines, ice machines, or other surfaces outside the laboratory. Traveling across a hall when nothing in the public space is contacted is acceptable.
- For the sake of safety and courtesy, do not wear contaminated, stained or potentially contaminated lab coats and other research clothing and equipment outside of the laboratory. Leave lab coats in the lab.
Revision 1 | Dec. 15, 2008