Laboratory PPE is an important part of protecting employees from chemical splashes, hazardous substances, broken glass, biological materials, extreme temperatures, flying particles, and other laboratory hazards. Personal protective equipment may include safety glasses, chemical splash goggles, face shields, laboratory coats, chemical-resistant gloves, aprons, protective footwear, and respiratory protection when required.
However, there is no single combination of laboratory PPE that is appropriate for every laboratory or every procedure.
The PPE needed for transferring a dilute solution may be very different from the PPE required for handling a corrosive chemical, working with a pyrophoric material, pouring a cryogenic liquid, or conducting a procedure with significant splash potential.
For laboratories covered by OSHA’s Laboratory Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1450, the Chemical Hygiene Plan must establish criteria the employer will use to determine and implement control measures, including engineering controls, PPE, and hygiene practices. OSHA also requires particular attention when selecting controls for extremely hazardous chemicals.
What Is Laboratory PPE?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment worn to reduce an employee’s exposure to workplace hazards.
In a laboratory, PPE can provide protection for the:
- Eyes.
- Face.
- Skin.
- Hands.
- Body.
- Feet.
- Respiratory system, when respiratory protection is necessary.
OSHA’s general PPE standard, 29 CFR 1910.132, requires protective equipment to be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever hazards make it necessary. PPE must also be of safe design and construction for the work being performed.
OSHA specifically identifies its PPE, eye and face protection, respiratory protection, and Laboratory Standard requirements among the standards that commonly apply to laboratories.
Laboratory PPE Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
A common mistake is assuming that:
Safety glasses + nitrile gloves + lab coat = adequate PPE for every laboratory procedure.
That is not necessarily true.
The appropriate PPE depends on factors such as:
- Chemicals or biological materials involved.
- Concentration.
- Quantity.
- Toxicity.
- Corrosivity.
- Flammability.
- Reactivity.
- Temperature.
- Pressure.
- Potential for splashing or spraying.
- Potential for flying particles or broken glass.
- Possible routes of exposure.
- Duration and frequency of the work.
- Engineering controls being used.
- Emergency conditions that could reasonably occur.
Even two procedures involving the same chemical may require different PPE if the quantities, concentrations, temperatures, or methods of handling are different.
Laboratory PPE Hazard Assessment
OSHA’s general PPE standard requires employers to assess the workplace to determine whether hazards are present, or are likely to be present, that require PPE.
When such hazards are identified, the employer must select PPE that protects employees from those hazards, communicate the selection decisions, and ensure that the PPE properly fits affected employees. OSHA also requires written certification that the workplace PPE hazard assessment was performed.
For laboratory operations, the assessment should consider both routine work and reasonably foreseeable incidents.
A useful process is:
Identify the hazard → Determine potential exposure → Apply engineering/work-practice controls → Select necessary PPE → Verify fit and compatibility → Train the employee
The goal is not to select the most PPE possible.
The goal is to select the right PPE for the hazard.
PPE Is Not the First Line of Defense
PPE is important, but it should not automatically be the primary method of controlling laboratory hazards.
Whenever practical, hazards should first be reduced through measures such as:
- Elimination or substitution.
- Process enclosure.
- Chemical fume hoods.
- Glove boxes.
- Local exhaust ventilation.
- Splash guards.
- Equipment guarding.
- Safer work practices.
- Reduced quantities.
OSHA’s nonmandatory laboratory guidance describes engineering controls as physically separating the employee from a hazard, while PPE provides additional protection when exposure cannot otherwise be adequately avoided.
For example, wearing a respirator should generally not be used as a substitute for a properly functioning chemical fume hood when appropriate engineering control of the airborne hazard is feasible.
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Laboratory Eye Protection
Eye injuries can occur from:
- Chemical splashes.
- Corrosive liquids.
- Flying particles.
- Broken glass.
- Pressurized systems.
- Cryogenic liquids.
- Biological materials.
- Ultraviolet or laser radiation.
- Explosive or energetic reactions.
The appropriate eye protection depends on the hazard.
Common laboratory eye and face protection includes:
Safety glasses
Primarily protect against impact and certain flying-particle hazards.
Chemical splash goggles
Provide substantially greater protection around the eyes from liquid splashes.
Face shields
Provide additional protection for the face and neck from splashes, flying material, heat, or other hazards.
Specialized eyewear
May be necessary for lasers, ultraviolet radiation, or other optical hazards.
OSHA’s nonmandatory Appendix A recommends at least safety glasses with side shields for laboratory work and identifies chemical splash goggles as more appropriate for certain higher-hazard operations.
Safety Glasses vs. Chemical Splash Goggles
Safety glasses and chemical splash goggles are not interchangeable.
Safety glasses are generally designed primarily for impact protection. Even safety glasses with side shields can leave gaps through which liquids may reach the eyes.
Chemical splash goggles fit more closely around the eyes and are designed to provide greater protection from splashing liquids.
Chemical splash goggles should be considered when procedures involve a meaningful risk of chemical splash, including certain:
- Chemical transfers.
- Mixing operations.
- Corrosive liquids.
- Pressurized liquids.
- Reactive procedures.
- Spill cleanup activities.
The PPE hazard assessment should determine which protection is appropriate.
Face Shields
A face shield can provide valuable additional protection when a procedure could expose the employee’s entire face to:
- Chemical splashes.
- Cryogenic liquids.
- Flying debris.
- Energetic reactions.
- Significant heat.
However, a face shield should not automatically be treated as a substitute for appropriate primary eye protection.
Where both eye and face hazards are present, appropriate goggles or safety glasses may need to be worn under the face shield, depending on the hazard assessment.
The face shield provides additional coverage; the underlying eye protection protects the eyes if material travels around or beneath the shield.
Laboratory Gloves
Gloves are among the most commonly used forms of laboratory PPE, but they are also among the most frequently misunderstood.
No single glove material protects against every chemical.
A glove that performs well against one chemical may provide poor protection against another.
OSHA’s Appendix A recommends selecting gloves carefully to ensure they are resistant to the chemicals being used and of appropriate thickness to provide protection while allowing reasonable dexterity.
Glove selection should consider:
- Chemical being handled.
- Concentration.
- Contact time.
- Splash versus immersion.
- Glove material.
- Glove thickness.
- Permeation.
- Degradation.
- Breakthrough time.
- Temperature.
- Dexterity requirements.
- Cut or puncture hazards.
Manufacturer chemical-resistance and permeation data should be consulted when selecting gloves for chemical protection.
Nitrile Gloves
Disposable nitrile gloves are widely used in laboratories because they provide useful protection for many tasks.
However:
Nitrile does not mean chemical-proof.
Some chemicals can permeate or rapidly degrade nitrile.
Employees should not assume that a standard disposable nitrile glove is suitable simply because it is commonly available in the laboratory.
For chemicals with significant skin hazards or rapid glove breakthrough, a different glove material, thicker glove, double-gloving system, or specialized glove may be necessary.
Inspect Gloves Before Use
Before putting on chemical-protective gloves, inspect them for:
- Tears.
- Holes.
- Punctures.
- Discoloration.
- Brittleness.
- Swelling.
- Softening.
- Other deterioration.
Damaged gloves should not be used.
Gloves should also be replaced when contamination, chemical breakthrough, degradation, or the established change schedule indicates that continued use is no longer protective.
Contaminated Gloves and Common Surfaces
One of the easiest ways to spread laboratory contamination is by touching common objects while wearing contaminated gloves.
Employees should avoid touching items such as:
- Door handles.
- Telephones.
- Computer keyboards.
- Elevator buttons.
- Personal phones.
- Pens.
- Light switches.
- Clean notebooks.
- Break-room surfaces.
Remove contaminated gloves before touching clean common surfaces.
Gloves should also be removed before leaving the laboratory when laboratory procedures require it. OSHA’s Appendix A recommends that gloves and laboratory coats not be worn into areas where food is stored or consumed.
Laboratory Coats
A laboratory coat provides a removable protective layer between the employee’s clothing or skin and laboratory contamination.
Laboratory coats can help protect against:
- Minor chemical splashes.
- Contamination.
- Biological materials.
- Dusts or powders.
- Incidental contact.
However, not every lab coat provides the same protection.
The appropriate coat material should be selected according to the hazard.
For example, a basic laboratory coat may not provide adequate protection against:
- Significant corrosive splashes.
- Large quantities of hazardous liquids.
- Fire or flash-fire hazards.
- Pyrophoric chemicals.
- Certain biological hazards.
- Highly toxic substances.
Specialized protective clothing may be necessary.
Lab Coat Fit and Condition
Laboratory coats should:
- Fit the employee appropriately.
- Be fully fastened when required for protection.
- Have sleeves that provide appropriate coverage.
- Not create entanglement hazards.
- Be maintained in serviceable condition.
- Be replaced when damaged or no longer protective.
Contaminated laboratory coats should be removed promptly when continued wear could expose the employee or spread contamination.
Chemical-Resistant Aprons and Protective Clothing
A chemical-resistant apron or other protective garment may be appropriate when the hazard assessment identifies significant splash potential.
Examples may include:
- Transferring larger quantities of corrosive liquids.
- Cleaning certain chemical spills.
- Washing contaminated laboratory equipment.
- Handling containers where leakage is reasonably foreseeable.
The protective material must be compatible with the chemical.
A generic plastic or rubber apron should not automatically be assumed resistant to every substance.
Laboratory Footwear
Footwear can help protect employees from:
- Chemical splashes.
- Broken glass.
- Sharps.
- Dropped objects.
- Hot or cold materials.
OSHA’s Appendix A recommends closed-toe shoes and long pants or other clothing covering the legs where hazardous chemicals are used.
Open-toed shoes, sandals, and similar footwear can leave the feet unnecessarily exposed to laboratory hazards.
Certain laboratories or procedures may require additional protective footwear, such as:
- Chemical-resistant boots.
- Safety-toe footwear.
- Slip-resistant footwear.
- Disposable shoe covers.
- Specialized contamination-control footwear.
The hazard assessment should determine whether such protection is necessary.
Respiratory Protection in Laboratories
Respiratory protection requires special consideration.
A respirator should not simply be handed to an employee because a chemical smells unpleasant or because additional protection seems desirable.
For laboratories covered by the Laboratory Standard, when respirators are necessary to maintain employee exposures below applicable permissible exposure limits, OSHA requires the employer to provide appropriate respiratory equipment at no cost to the employee. Respirators must be selected and used in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 – Respiratory Protection.
A compliant respiratory-protection program may require:
- Written program administration.
- Hazard evaluation.
- Respirator selection.
- Medical evaluation.
- Fit testing.
- Employee training.
- Inspection.
- Cleaning and maintenance.
- Cartridge or canister change schedules where applicable.
- Program evaluation.
Employees should not independently bring in or begin using tight-fitting respirators for hazardous chemical exposure without appropriate evaluation and authorization.
Cryogenic PPE
Handling cryogenic liquids can present hazards from:
- Extreme cold.
- Frostbite.
- Cold burns.
- Liquid splashes.
- Pressure.
- Rapid expansion.
- Brittle materials.
Depending on the operation, cryogenic PPE may include:
- Appropriate eye protection.
- Face shield.
- Loose-fitting insulated cryogenic gloves.
- Laboratory coat or other protective clothing.
- Appropriate footwear.
Cryogenic gloves are designed primarily for protection from incidental contact and splashes associated with extremely cold materials. They should not be assumed suitable for immersing hands in cryogenic liquid.
For additional information, see Cryogenic Safety.
PPE for Particularly Hazardous Substances
OSHA’s Laboratory Standard requires additional consideration for particularly hazardous substances, including:
- Select carcinogens.
- Reproductive toxins.
- Substances with a high degree of acute toxicity.
Additional controls may include designated areas, containment devices such as fume hoods or glove boxes, waste procedures, and decontamination procedures.
PPE for these substances should be specifically selected based on:
- Toxicity.
- Routes of exposure.
- Chemical resistance.
- Quantity.
- Procedure.
- Potential contamination.
- Decontamination requirements.
For highly hazardous materials, routine disposable laboratory PPE may not be sufficient.
PPE for Biological Hazards
Laboratories handling biological materials may require PPE such as:
- Gloves.
- Laboratory coats or gowns.
- Eye protection.
- Face protection.
- Respiratory protection where required.
- Specialized protective clothing.
PPE selection should reflect the biological agent, route of transmission, procedure, containment level, and applicable biosafety or Bloodborne Pathogens requirements.
Biological PPE requirements should be coordinated with the laboratory’s Biological Safety and Bloodborne Pathogens procedures.
PPE for Glassware and Sharps
Laboratory employees may also be exposed to cuts and punctures from:
- Broken glass.
- Needles.
- Razor blades.
- Scalpels.
- Glass tubing.
- Other sharps.
Ordinary disposable chemical gloves may provide little protection from cuts or punctures.
When a task creates a significant cut hazard, appropriate cut-resistant gloves or other controls should be evaluated. However, the selected glove must also be compatible with any chemical or biological hazard involved.
This illustrates why PPE selection should consider all hazards of the task, not one hazard in isolation.
PPE for Heat and Hot Equipment
Laboratory ovens, autoclaves, hot plates, furnaces, heated glassware, and other equipment may require thermal protection.
Heat-resistant gloves should be selected for the expected temperatures and task.
Chemical gloves and heat-resistant gloves are not automatically interchangeable.
If a procedure involves both heat and chemicals, PPE must address both hazards or the work method should be redesigned so one protective requirement does not create another exposure.
Donning Laboratory PPE
PPE should be put on before exposure to the hazard begins.
The appropriate sequence depends on the PPE and procedure, but employees should ensure that:
- PPE is the correct type and size.
- PPE has been inspected.
- Protective clothing is properly fastened.
- Eye protection fits correctly.
- Gloves overlap sleeves where appropriate to the hazard.
- Respiratory protection is donned and checked according to the respiratory program.
- PPE does not interfere with other required protective equipment.
Employees should not wait until a chemical has already been opened or a hazardous procedure has begun to look for the required PPE.
Removing Laboratory PPE
Improper PPE removal can transfer contamination from the equipment to the employee’s skin, clothing, or surrounding surfaces.
When removing contaminated PPE:
- Avoid touching contaminated outer surfaces unnecessarily.
- Remove gloves using a technique that minimizes skin contact with the exterior.
- Remove contaminated protective clothing carefully.
- Dispose of disposable PPE in the appropriate waste stream.
- Place reusable contaminated PPE in designated containers.
- Wash hands after glove removal and before leaving the laboratory when appropriate.
OSHA’s Appendix A recommends washing hands immediately after working with laboratory chemicals, even when gloves have been worn.
Contaminated Laboratory PPE
Contaminated PPE should not be taken into:
- Offices.
- Break rooms.
- Eating areas.
- Public areas.
- Vehicles.
- Homes.
The laboratory should establish procedures for:
- Collection.
- Decontamination.
- Laundering.
- Disposal.
- Replacement.
Employees should not take contaminated laboratory coats or similar protective clothing home for laundering when doing so could transfer hazardous contamination outside the workplace.
PPE Inspection and Maintenance
Reusable PPE should be maintained so it remains protective.
Before use, inspect PPE as appropriate for:
- Cracks.
- Tears.
- Holes.
- Chemical degradation.
- Clouded lenses.
- Broken straps.
- Damaged closures.
- Loss of elasticity.
- Contamination.
- Other defects.
OSHA requires PPE to be maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition.
Damaged or degraded PPE should be repaired when appropriate or removed from service and replaced.
PPE Fit
PPE cannot provide its intended protection if it does not fit the employee properly.
OSHA requires employers to select PPE that properly fits each affected employee.
This applies to items such as:
- Safety glasses.
- Goggles.
- Face shields.
- Gloves.
- Protective clothing.
- Protective footwear.
Employees should have access to sizes and designs appropriate to the workforce rather than being expected to make poorly fitting equipment work.
Employee-Owned PPE
Employees may sometimes prefer to use their own PPE.
When employees provide their own protective equipment, OSHA requires the employer to assure its adequacy, including proper maintenance and sanitation.
The employer remains responsible for determining whether the equipment is appropriate for the workplace hazard.
Personal preference does not override the PPE hazard assessment.
Who Pays for Laboratory PPE?
In general, OSHA requires PPE used to comply with its standards to be provided by the employer at no cost to employees, subject to specific exceptions in 29 CFR 1910.132(h).
Exceptions include certain non-specialty safety-toe footwear and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear when the employer permits those items to be worn away from the jobsite, as well as ordinary clothing and certain other specifically listed items.
Employers should evaluate the specific equipment and applicable OSHA standard rather than assuming employees are responsible for purchasing laboratory PPE.
Laboratory PPE Training
OSHA’s general PPE standard requires affected employees to be trained before performing work requiring PPE.
Training must cover, as applicable:
- When PPE is necessary.
- What PPE is necessary.
- How to properly put on, remove, adjust, and wear PPE.
- PPE limitations.
- Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal.
Employees must demonstrate an understanding of the training and the ability to use PPE properly before performing work requiring it. Retraining is required when workplace or PPE changes make previous training obsolete, or when an employee’s knowledge or use indicates that the necessary understanding or skill has not been retained.
For employees covered by OSHA’s Laboratory Standard, chemical-safety training must also address the measures employees can take to protect themselves, including appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and PPE.
For additional information, see Laboratory Safety Training.
Laboratory PPE and the Chemical Hygiene Plan
PPE should be integrated into the laboratory’s Chemical Hygiene Plan, not treated as a separate box of supplies stored near the door.
OSHA requires the CHP to establish criteria for determining and implementing controls to reduce hazardous chemical exposure, including:
Engineering controls → Personal protective equipment → Hygiene practices
The plan must give particular attention to control selection for extremely hazardous chemicals.
A useful CHP should therefore establish:
- Who performs PPE hazard assessments.
- How PPE is selected.
- Where PPE is required.
- How chemical-resistant gloves are selected.
- How PPE is inspected.
- How contaminated PPE is managed.
- Who provides PPE.
- How employees are trained.
- When specialized PPE is necessary.
Common Laboratory PPE Mistakes
Some common PPE problems include:
- Assuming nitrile gloves protect against every chemical.
- Wearing safety glasses when chemical splash goggles are necessary.
- Using a face shield without appropriate underlying eye protection.
- Wearing contaminated gloves outside the laboratory.
- Touching phones and door handles with contaminated gloves.
- Reusing disposable PPE beyond its intended service.
- Wearing damaged or degraded gloves.
- Selecting PPE without reviewing chemical compatibility.
- Using an ordinary lab coat for a procedure requiring specialized protection.
- Wearing open-toed shoes around hazardous chemicals.
- Failing to replace contaminated laboratory coats.
- Using poorly fitting PPE.
- Beginning hazardous work before PPE is available.
- Relying on PPE instead of feasible engineering controls.
- Using a respirator without the required respiratory-protection program.
Most of these deficiencies can be prevented through an effective hazard assessment, proper equipment selection, employee training, and routine supervision.
Laboratory PPE Checklist
A basic Laboratory PPE Checklist can include:
☐ A PPE hazard assessment has been completed where required.
☐ The hazard assessment has been appropriately documented.
☐ PPE is selected according to the actual laboratory hazards.
☐ PPE properly fits employees.
☐ Required PPE is readily available.
☐ Employees understand when PPE is required.
☐ Appropriate safety glasses are available.
☐ Chemical splash goggles are available where splash hazards require them.
☐ Face shields are available for applicable face hazards.
☐ Face shields are supplemented with appropriate eye protection when required.
☐ Chemical gloves are selected using appropriate chemical-resistance information.
☐ Employees understand that nitrile gloves are not universally chemical resistant.
☐ Gloves are inspected before use.
☐ Contaminated or degraded gloves are replaced.
☐ Laboratory coats are appropriate for the hazards.
☐ Specialized protective clothing is provided when routine lab coats are inadequate.
☐ Closed-toe footwear is worn where required.
☐ Appropriate leg coverage is provided for chemical laboratory work.
☐ Cryogenic PPE is available where cryogenic liquids are handled.
☐ Heat-resistant PPE is available where thermal hazards exist.
☐ Cut-resistant protection is evaluated where significant cut hazards exist.
☐ Respirator use complies with the Respiratory Protection Standard.
☐ Reusable PPE is inspected and maintained.
☐ Contaminated PPE is properly collected, cleaned, decontaminated, or disposed of.
☐ Employees do not take hazardous contamination home on laboratory PPE.
☐ Employees receive required PPE training.
☐ Employees demonstrate proper PPE use.
☐ PPE deficiencies identified during laboratory inspections are corrected.
Choosing the Right Laboratory PPE
The best way to select laboratory PPE is to start with the task rather than the equipment.
Instead of asking:
“What PPE do we normally wear in this laboratory?”
Ask:
“What could happen during this procedure, and what parts of the employee could be exposed?”
Then consider:
Hazard → Exposure Route → Severity → Engineering Controls → Work Practices → PPE
For example, a chemical-transfer operation may present both splash and inhalation hazards.
The appropriate controls might therefore include:
Chemical fume hood + splash goggles + compatible chemical gloves + laboratory coat
A larger or more hazardous transfer could require:
Fume hood or other containment + splash goggles + face shield + chemical-resistant gloves + chemical-resistant apron or specialized protective clothing
The correct answer depends on the actual hazard assessment.
Laboratory PPE Is the Last Barrier
PPE is often the last physical barrier between the employee and the hazard.
That makes correct selection important, but it also explains why laboratory safety should not rely on PPE alone.
A glove can tear.
A goggle can be removed.
A lab coat can become contaminated.
A respirator can be worn incorrectly.
Whenever feasible, laboratories should design work so the hazardous material is controlled before it reaches the employee.
A strong laboratory-safety system combines:
Hazard Assessment + Engineering Controls + Safe Work Practices + Appropriate PPE + Training
That approach provides substantially better protection than simply requiring everyone to wear the same generic laboratory PPE.
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