Essential Information on Personal Protective Equipment:
Hazard Assessment and Use Requirements in Biological and Biomedical Research
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that personal protective equipment (PPE) be selected, provided and worn by employees in situations where PPE could help reduce the potential for harm and injury (29 CFR 1910.132). This guide outlines the likely situations and hazards that require the use of PPE in the biological and biomedical sciences.
Special considerations may apply for certain tasks--contact EHS whenever such questions arise. PPE is readily available to Dartmouth employees and students through the Scientific Stockrooms.
Eye and face protection (29 CFR 1910.133): Safety glasses are recommended
at all times in the laboratory and required when working with potentially hazardous
chemicals, infectious materials or high energy beta emitting radiation (32P).
Chemical splash goggles or face shield with safety glasses must be worn when working
with hazardous chemicals in quantities of 1 liter or more or when working with
systems under positive or negative pressure. A UV resistant face shield is required
when working with transillumators. A face shield must be worn when working with
liquid nitrogen. All safety eyewear must meet ANSI Z87-2003. Face shields should
never be worn alone--wear safety glasses or chemical splash goggles as well.
Foot protection (29 CFR 1910.136): Open toed shoes, sandals and other open footwear is prohibited in all Dartmouth laboratories. Additionally, shorts and other garments that leave skin unprotected are forbidden in Dartmouth laboratories using hazardous materials (29 CFR 1910.1450 / Dartmouth College Chemical Hygiene Plan.)
Hand protection (29 CFR 1910.138): Appropriate gloves must be worn for activities involving material or equipment that has a potential for: a chemical burn, a cryogenic burn, a thermal burn, adsorption through the skin, an electrical hazard, a biohazard, or any acute or chronic toxicity hazard.
Selection of chemically resistant gloves must consider (1) the chemical handled and (2) its ability to permeate various glove materials, (3) the task(s) to be done and required dexterity and (4) any special concerns. For chemicals of unknown toxicity or those chemicals that have a special skin hazard designation--a flexible laminate glove is to be worn under a pair of heavy-duty chemically resistant outer gloves. Information on glove selection and chemical resistance is found on a poster displayed in each laboratory and from Environmental Health and Safety.
Respiratory protection (1910.123): Respirators may only be worn by participants in the College's Respiratory Protection Program--Call EHS (646-1762). Assuming engineering controls and appropriate work practices are followed, respirators should not be needed.
Hearing protection (1910.95): Sonicators, etc. can be noisy-- Call EHS for assistance in selecting hearing protection (646-1762).
This Certification of Tasks Requiring Personal Protective Equipment
Prepared in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.132
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