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University Health & Safety Office (H&SO)

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Personal Protective Equipment

This page is a summary - further details are available in Safety Manual 1 section 2.4.4

Laboratory coats must be worn at all times when undertaking bench work. Coats must also be fastened.

Eye protection must be worn when performing wet work with any irritant or hazardous chemical. A full face shield is recommended when using corrosive chemicals or if there is an explosion risk. Use UV-resistant face protection and avoid exposed skin when using ultraviolet radiation sources . Available from BioPath Stores.

 Respiratory protection (facemask) must be worn if there is a risk of inhaling toxic or irritant substances or allergens. The mask must be of the appropriate type and correctly fitted. See H&SO guide for information/selection and fitting.

 Auditory protection (ear defenders) should be used when operating sonicators or any loud equipment.

Disposable gloves should be worn when performing wet work with any irritant or hazardous chemical. Make sure that the type of glove you are using (e.g. vinyl, nitrile, latex) provides an appropriate level of protection against the chemicals in use. Remove one glove when handling door handles, phones etc.
The H&SO guide below is concise and very informative; please read it thoroughly.

H&SO guide to glove selection  Guidelines for selecting chemically resistant gloves          From manufacturers: Search for gloves resistant to a given chemical Chemical Resistance Guide

Latex gloves
The use of powdered latex gloves is forbidden owing to the high incidence of allergic reactions to airborne latex proteins. You may use powder-free, low-protein latex gloves but only in cases where a COSHH Assessment has been completed, justifying them as the necessary choice. You must also complete:

an Initial Health Assessment Questionnaire and thereafter
an Annual Health Assessment Questionnaire to monitor your health

Send the completed questionnaire to Barbara Humphrey (Hopkins Building). This questionnaire will be held in confidence in the Department and you will be notified if you need to be referred to Occupational Health to investigate any allergic reactions.

University Policy and Guidance for the Use of Disposable Latex Gloves . This document includes Guidance on the Prevention of Glove Sensitivity.

There is more information about Natural Rubber Latex Allergies and the use of protective gloves on the HSE website.