Laboratory Dress Code
Practice Perspective
The MSU Chemical Hygiene states in section 2.2B: “Confine long hair and loose clothing and always wear footwear which fully covers the feet.” Additionally in 5.3.2 “Protect exposed skin surfaces when there is a reasonable anticipation of a splash. Avoid wearing open-toed shoes, sandals, shorts, etc. when working with injurious or corrosive chemicals.”
Standard Practice
Employees working with hazardous chemicals in laboratories must wear closed-toe shoes, long pants or skirts which fully cover the legs, and a lab coat. Employees shall confine long hair and secure loose clothing and jewelry before beginning work. Each department or laboratory will determine required additional personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and eye protection appropriate for working with specific materials.
Guidelines
- Closed-toe shoes are shoes that completely cover the feet and are well secured on to the foot
- Long pants are trousers, slacks or pants that extend from the employees waist to the top of their shoes
- Long skirts are skirts or skorts that extend from the employees waist to the top of their shoes
- Lab coats are lightweight coats worn for the express purpose of protecting an employee’s skin and clothing from chemical splashes. The fiber content of a laboratory coat must be appropriate for the chemicals in use. Use all-cotton lab coats when working with flammable materials. Use flame-resistant (FR) lab coats when working with pyrophorics outside of a glove box.
- Long hair is any length of hair that could become entangled in equipment or dangle into chemicals or flames during work
- Loose clothing is items such as loose-fitting sleeves, scarves, sweatshirt drawstrings and other clothing items that could become entangled in equipment or dangle into chemicals or flames during work.
- Jewelry are items such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets or watches that could become entangled in equipment or dangle into chemicals or flames during work
Corollary CHP change
2.2B Employees shall confine long hair and secure loose clothing or jewelry before beginning work.
5.3.2 Employees working with hazardous chemicals in laboratories must wear closed-toe shoes, long pants or skirts which fully cover the legs, and a lab coat.
3.6.1E Wear all-cotton lab coats when working with flammable materials. Use flame-resistant (FR) lab coats when working with pyrophoric materials outside of a glove box.
As proposed and amended by
Michigan State University Chemical Hygiene Subcommittee April 2014
Practice: No.3 Issue: No. 1, rev 2 Date: April 2014