Body Protection

There is no specific OSHA Standard governing the requirements for body protection; however, the general PPE Standard (29 CFR 1910.132) does state that protective clothing should be used when appropriate.  Conditions that may require the use of protective clothing include the following:

• Exposure to pesticides and other hazardous chemicals in quantities with splash potential
• Exposure to infectious materials, including blood and body fluids
• Exposure to sharp knives or power cutting tools (chainsaw)
• Exposure to temperature extremes (intense summer heat or winter weather, working in cold rooms)
• Exposure to intense heat including molten metals, steam, or sparks
• Exposure to radioactive materials
• Contact with rough or abrasive surfaces
• Working around motorized vehicles or other situations where increased visibility to others is required 

Supervisors should evaluate their work area and complete the PPE Hazard Assessment Form to document when body protection is required.

General Clothing Requirements

The clothing worn by personnel working in laboratories, shops, and studios is important to their safety.  Personnel should not wear loose (e.g., saris, dangling neckties, and overlarge or ragged laboratory coats), skimpy (e.g., shorts and/or halter-tops), or torn clothing.  It is also important to tie back long hair or excessive facial hair.  Loose or torn clothing and unrestrained long hair can easily catch fire, dip into chemicals, or become ensnared in apparatus and moving machinery!  Skimpy clothing offers little protection to the skin in the event of chemical splash.  If the possibility of chemical contamination exists, personal clothing that will be worn home should be covered by protective apparel.  Finger rings can react with chemicals and also should be avoided around equipment that has exposed moving parts or electrical hazards.

Laboratory Apparel

Appropriate protective apparel is advisable for most laboratory work and may be required for some.  Such apparel can include laboratory coats and aprons, jump suits, special types of boots, shoe covers, and gauntlets.  It can be either washable or disposable in nature.  Garments are commercially available that can help protect the laboratory worker against chemical splashes or spills, heat, cold, moisture, and radiation.

Laboratory coats are intended to prevent contact with dirt and minor chemical splashes or spills, but also provide a protective covering over personal clothing that may itself present a hazard (e.g. combustible cotton and synthetic materials).
Laboratory coats do not significantly resist penetration by organic liquids and, if significantly contaminated by them, should be removed immediately.

Plastic or rubber aprons provide better protection from corrosive or irritating liquids but can complicate injuries in the event of fire.  Furthermore, a plastic apron can accumulate a considerable charge of static electricity and should be avoided in areas where flammable solvents or other materials could be ignited by a static discharge.

Disposable outer garments (e.g. Tyvek) may, in some cases, be preferable to reusable ones.  One such case is that of handling appreciable quantities of known carcinogenic materials, for which long sleeves and the use of gloves are also recommended. Disposable full length jump suits are strongly recommended for high risk situations, which may also require the use of head and shoe covers.  Many disposable garments, however, offer only limited protection from vapor penetration and considerable judgement is needed when using them.  Impervious suits fully enclosing the body may be necessary in emergency situations.

Laboratory workers should know the appropriate techniques for removing protective apparel, especially any that has become contaminated.  Chemical spills on leather clothing or accessories (watchbands, shoes, belts) can be especially hazardous because many chemicals can be absorbed in the leather and then held close to the skin for long periods.  Such items must be removed promptly and decontaminated or discarded to prevent the possibility of chemical burn.

Specialized Body Protection

Welding aprons, sleeves, bibs, and coats protect against hot splashes from molten metals.  Welding protective clothing outlined in ANSI Z49.1 Standard requires that clothing provide sufficient coverage and be made of materials that minimize skin burns caused by sparks, spatter, or radiation.  If cotton clothing is used for protection, it should be chemically treated to reduce its combustibility.  

Cut-Resistant clothing protects against cuts made from a variety of materials.  Selection is based on good judgement and can vary from a heavy apron for typical kitchen operations to kevlar or stainless steel mesh for higher risk operations.  When leg protection is required for cutting operations, select a manufacturer that adheres to ASTM F1897 or another applicable Standard.  

High Visibility garments are used to enhance a person's visibility in high risk areas such as construction zones, traffic controllers, airport runways, etc.  Choose clothing that meets applicable ANSI 107 or 207 Standards.

Radiation Shielding such as a lead apron is used to provide protection from low energy radiation exposure to X-rays.  Other shielding materials are available and the Radiation Safety Officer should be consulted when selecting the proper shielding for the type of material being handled.

General Use Guidelines

• It is important to achieve a balance between user protection and comfort.  Protection should never be compromised, nor should the worker be unnecessarily burdened.
• Carefully inspect apparel before use and discard if damaged or compromised in any way.
• Store PPE in a well-ventilated, clean, and dry environment away from direct sunlight and contaminants.  Certain types of PPE should be stored in sealed bags.
• Read and adhere to manufacturer's use and maintenance guidelines.
• Do not reuse disposable PPE.
• Decontaminate reusable PPE immediately after use and in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.
• Prevent the spread of contaminants outside of the work area - remove PPE and wash hands before leaving the area. 
• Do not take contaminated PPE home for cleaning.  Laundry facilities should be available onsite or laundering service provided offsite through a contracted vendor.