Content structure:
1. Hazards in general laboratory
2. Chemical hazards classification
3. Sources to look for the hazard information
4. Safety regulation standards by OSHA
5. Standards for handling chemicals by OSHA
6. Standards for PPE by OSHA
7. PPE Recommendations by NIOSH
8. Standard Tests and Certifications
9. 5 Things to consider when choosing a PPE
2. Content structure
1. Hazards in general laboratory
2. Chemical hazards classification
3. Sources to look for the hazard information
4. Safety regulations standards by OSHA
5. Standards for handling chemicals by OSHA
6. Standards for PPE by OSHA
7. PPE Recommendations by NIOSH
8. Standard Tests and Certifications
9. Things to consider when choosing a PPE
3. Hazards in General Laboratory
Mutagenicity
Reproductive Toxicity
Respiratory Sensitizer
Target Organ Toxicity
Aspiration Toxicity
Flammables
Self-Heating
Self-Reactives
Skin Sensitizer
Acute Toxicity
Respiratory Tract Irritant
Skin Corrosion/Burns
Etc
Chemical
Explosives
Lasers
Radiation
Gases under pressure
Needle prick
Glass cut
Lifting injury
Open flames
Vacuum Unit
Etc
Physical
Biological
Human or animal blood and body fluids
Bloodborne pathogens including:
Hepatitis B Virus
Hepatitis C Virus
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Etc
4. Chemical hazards classification
Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Hazard Classes
The Hazard Communication Standard (29CFR 1910.1200)
The identified hazards have to be communicated on the container label and in documents called Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Manufacturers and distributors are required to provide safety data sheets to their clients that describe the results of the classification
and all known hazards of a chemical, but they often provide very limited information on safe handling procedures.
5. • Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• eEROS
• Sigma-Aldrich webpage
• Fisher Scientific webpage
• Prudent Practices in Laboratory
• Other textbooks
Sources to look for the hazard information
6. ▪ 1910.94, Ventilation
▪ 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure
▪ 1910.120, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
▪ 1910 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances
▪ 1910.132, General requirements (Personal protective equipment)
▪ 1910.133, Eye and face protection
▪ 1910.134, Respiratory protection
▪ 1910.135, Head protection
▪ 1910.136, Foot protection
▪ 1910.137, Electrical protective equipment
▪ 1910.138, Hand protection
▪ 1910.140, Personal fall protection systems
▪ 1910 Subpart I - Appendix A, References for further information (Non-mandatory)
▪ 1910 Subpart I - Appendix B, Non-mandatory compliance guidelines for hazard assessment and PPE selection
▪ 1910.146, Permit-required confined spaces
▪ 1910.252, General requirements (Welding, cutting, and brazing)
In the general industry standards (29 CFR 1910) OSHA covers the responsibilities of employer to provide proper:
Safety regulation standards by OSHA
7. Minimizing exposure to chemicals by establishing
standard operating procedures, requirements for
personal protective equipment, engineering controls
(e.g., chemical fume hoods, air handlers, etc.) and
waste disposal procedures
All the manipulations with chemicals have to be
carried out on a "laboratory scale” - to be easily
handled by one person
The employer is required to develop and carry out the
provisions of a written CHP (Chemical Hygiene Plan)
Responsible persons must be designated for procurement
and handling of Material Safety Data Sheets, organizing training
sessions, monitoring employee work practices, and annual
revision of the CHP
The OSHA laboratory standards provide the general recommendations, and
require the employer to develop more detailed instructions.
Standards for handling chemicals
8. OSHA requires employers to pay for personal protective equipment
These typically include: hard hats, gloves, goggles, safety shoes, safety glasses, welding helmets and goggles, face shields, chemical
protective equipment and fall protection equipment.
With the exception of
• Safety-toe protective footwear and prescription safety glasses were excepted from the employer payment requirement, in large part
because these items were considered to be very personal in nature and were often worn off the jobsite.
• Everyday clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts, long pants, street shoes, and normal work boots.
• Ordinary clothing, skin creams, or other items, used solely for protection from weather, such as winter coats, jackets, gloves, parkas,
rubber boots, hats, raincoats, ordinary sunglasses, and sunscreen
• Items such as hair nets and gloves worn by food workers for consumer safety.
• Lifting belts because their value in protecting the back is questionable.
• When the employee has lost or intentionally damaged the PPE and it must be replaced.
Standards for PPE by OSHA
OSHA recommends using the data, provided by the Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for choosing the right PPE.
9. Hazard Example PPE Recommendation Examples
Small volumes of potentially hazardous
aqueous solutions or infectious material
VWR Basic Protection SPP, and SMS materials
DenLine DL3460, DL3660 and DL3630
Bloodborne pathogens including:
Hepatitis B and C
HIV
Kimberly Clark Kleenguard A60, A80 Liquid & Particle
Protection Apparel
Life Science Products PolyPropylene/Polyethylene
coated
DenLife FluidGuard material
Coated-polypropylene isolation gowns
Chemicals VWR Advanced Protection (70%
Sulfuric Acid, 85% Phosphoric
Acid), Maximum Protection (70%
Sulfuric Acid, 85% Phosphoric Acid)
TyChem
Flammable or pyrophoric
liquids
DuPont Nomex®
Kimberly Clark Kleenguard A65 Lab
Coat
Nylon, polyester, or polypropylene
will melt at relatively low
temperatures and should not be
used
Cotton will not deflect flammable
or pyrophoric liquids and should
not be used when working with
these hazards
Material Used Example
Spunbonded polypropylene
Saranex 23-P film
Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) resin
Spunbonded Polypropylene fabric coated
with breathable Polyethylene film
Nomex®
Unresistant to Acetic Anhydride,
Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Benzene,
Bromine, etc
Melts at low temp
Unresistant to Aromatic
Hydrocarbons, Ketones, etc
Melts at low temp
Unresistant to Aromatic
Hydrocarbons, Bromine, nonpolar
solvents etc
Melts at low temp
Unresistant to Strong Corrosive
Liquids.
Nonpolar organic solvents easily
penetrate through the fabric.
10. Chemical
Physical
Biological
Standard Tests and Certifications
ASTM F1670 (penetration by synthetic blood)
ASTM F1671 (bloodborne pathogen exposure)
AATCC Method 42
(resistance to the penetration
of water by impact)
NFPA 701 or 2112 (flame propagation tests)
NFPA 1992 (liquid - splash test)
ASTM D5034 (Break Tensile Properties)
FZ/T 01085 - 1999 (Trapezoid tearing strength)
ASTM F903 (liquid chemical barrier)
AATCC 193 (Aqueous Liquid
Repellency: Water/Alcohol Solution
Resistance Test)
11. 5 Things to consider when choosing a PPE
1. The main hazard by the frequency of interaction, volume or possible outcomes;
2. The fabric/film type and content;
3. Tests passed by the fabric/film or the garment itself;
4. Customized Fit. Bulky excess fabric can hardly be controlled and can cause
splashes and burns;
5. Closure type - should be easy to put on and take off.
A PPE cannot guarantee protection from all the possible hazards, but it significantly
decreases the possibility of injury or harm. In most cases, the level of protection
depends on professional attitude and self- care.