What is PPE?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is any item worn to reduce a person's exposure to hazards in the laboratory. It is the last line of defence: good laboratory rules and careful handling come first, and PPE is added on top to guard against splashes, fumes, heat and sharp objects. A worker who follows the rules but still wears PPE is far safer than one who relies on either alone.
Common items and their jobs
- Safety goggles shield the eyes from chemical splashes and flying glass. They seal around the eye better than ordinary spectacles.
- Lab coat covers clothing and skin, and can be removed quickly if a corrosive liquid is spilt on it.
- Gloves (nitrile or latex) protect the hands when handling acids, alkalis or biological samples.
- Face mask reduces the breathing in of dust and mild fumes; a fume cupboard is used for stronger gases.
- Covered shoes protect the feet from dropped apparatus and spills; sandals are never allowed.
Key idea
PPE does not remove a hazard, it only reduces how much of it reaches your body. Always combine PPE with safe procedures and, where possible, control the hazard at its source (for example, a fume cupboard).
Choosing and caring for PPE
PPE must match the task. Thin gloves suited to weighing salt are useless against concentrated sulphuric acid. Equipment must fit properly, be checked for cracks or tears before use, and be cleaned or replaced when damaged. Goggles that are scratched blur vision and are hazardous.
Example
A student heating copper(II) sulphate solution wears goggles, a buttoned lab coat, gloves and covered shoes, and works behind the bench. When hot liquid spits out, the goggles keep it out of her eyes and the coat protects her arms.
Remember
Put PPE on before starting and remove it, then wash your hands, only after the apparatus is safe. Never eat, drink or touch your face while wearing gloves used with chemicals.