​A lab worker dressed in personal protective equipment testing a potentially hazardous material.

Anyone encountering hazardous substances, whether it is through the cleanup of spilled chemicals or everyday work that uses chemicals, must be protected against potential hazards. The purpose of personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) is to shield or isolate individuals from chemical, physical and biologic hazards that may be encountered at an emergency response site or hazardous waste site.

Careful selection and use of adequate PPE should protect the respiratory system, skin, eyes, face, hands, feet, head, body and hearing. No single combination of protective equipment and clothing is capable of protecting against all hazards. Thus, PPE should be used in conjunction with other protective methods. The use of PPE can itself create significant worker hazards, such as heat stress, physical and psychological stress, and impaired vision, mobility and communication.

In general, the greater the level of PPE protection, the greater the associated risks. For any given situation, equipment and clothing should be selected that provide an adequate level of protection. Over-protection as well as under-protection can be hazardous and should be avoided.

Two basic objectives of any PPE program should be to protect the wearer from safety and health hazards and to prevent injury to the wearer from incorrect use and/or malfunction of the PPE. To accomplish these goals, a comprehensive PPE program should include: hazard identification; medical monitoring; environmental surveillance; selection, use, and decontamination of PPE; and training.

Check out this video interview of a graduate student that suffered a chemical burn while not wearing a lab coat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI7Pkj7x2mE&list=UUFXbK1X9matNC_uRPPmc2RA.

If you have questions concerning PPE, contact the Division of Occupational Health and Safety at (301) 496-2960 or visit their website at: http://go.usa.gov/3KhQe.