Personal Protection Equipment

The primary goal of basic PPE is to mitigate, at a minimum, the hazards associated with exposure to hazardous substances. In some cases, additional or more protective equipment must be used. If additional protective equipment is to be used, EH&S should be notified before beginning work to verify all necessary measures are being taken to protect life and property.

Maintenance of PPE

  • PPE should be inspected prior to use to ensure it is in good condition.
  • PPE should fit properly and be worn properly.
  • In cases where spills or splashes of hazardous chemicals on clothing or PPE occur, the clothing/PPE must immediately be removed and placed in a closed container that prevents the release of the chemical.
  • Heavily contaminated clothing/PPE resulting from an accidental spill must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
  • Lightly contaminated laboratory coats must be cleaned and properly laundered monthly. A washer and dryer are available for use in the Autoclave Room (Williams Hall 015). Keycard access can be granted by the Building Curator, and laundry soap and bleach may be obtained from 120 Williams Hall (the 1st-floor stockroom).
  • Laboratory personnel must never take contaminated items home for cleaning or laundering.
  • The DCHO is able to provide students with appropriate personal protective equipment (including safety eyewear, cuffed-sleeve lab coats, flame-resistant lab coats, and various gloves).

Eye and Face Protection

  • Eye protection (safety glasses with side shields and top shields, chemical-resistant goggles, or a face shield) must be worn at all times in laboratories when chemicals are being used.
  • All eye protection must meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 87.1Z– 2010.
  • Ordinary prescription glasses are not considered safety glasses. Safety glasses must be worn over prescription glasses.
Prescription Safety Eyewear
  • For Faculty and Staff enrolled in Kent State University’s Employee Vision Insurance Plan (EyeMed), prescription safety eyewear is covered, including a $240 allowance for frames, lenses, and lens options. After this amount is exhausted, employees receive a 40% discount. For details and the EyeMed reimbursement form, visit: https://www.kent.edu/people-and-culture/benefits/vision-coverage.
  • For Graduate Students enrolled in Kent State University’s voluntary Graduate Student Vision Insurance Plan (United Healthcare), prescription eyewear for standard plastic lenses is covered, including a $120 allowance for frames. For details, visit: https://www.kent.edu/deweese/ship.
  • Graduate students may petition the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for special consideration so that the Department will pay for the purchase of prescription safety eyewear. Petitions may be submitted to the Department’s Chemical Health & Safety Coordinator. Students petitioning for special consideration must do so BEFORE they order safety eyewear.
  • Prescription safety eyewear must meet the ANSI Z87.1 requirement for safety eyewear and be impact-resistant with side shields and top shields. If there are any questions about acceptable frames, consult the DCHO.
  • Information regarding the use of contacts in a chemical environment is outlined in the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Publication Number 2005–139 (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-139/pdfs/2005-139.pdf)
  • A face shield is required whenever there is potential for severe chemical exposure from splashes, fumes, or explosions. Because a face shield alone does not adequately protect the eyes, it must be worn over safety goggles. In general, any operation that requires a face shield must be conducted inside a hood with the sash down as an additional barrier.

Skin Protection

  • When working with substances that are readily absorbed through the skin or highly corrosive to the skin, appropriate protection must be provided to prevent skin contact.
  • Skin protection may take the form of shields, isolation of the procedure, gloves, aprons, lab coats, or other such protective equipment.
  • Gloves and lab coats should be selected based on the protective material's chemical resistance to the chemical to be used. This information can be obtained from the product supplier and is usually presented in a chemical resistance chart in the supplier’s catalog. The DCHO and EHS should be contacted to assist in selecting the proper personal protective equipment.

Respiratory Protection

  • Typically, respiratory protection is not needed in a laboratory. Under most circumstances, safe work practices, small-scale usage, and engineering controls (fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, and general ventilation) adequately protect laboratory workers from chemical and biological hazards.
  • Under certain circumstances, however, respiratory protection may be needed. Respirator use will be governed by the scientific work being done.
  • Before using a respirator, the user must have a medical evaluation and be fitted by the EHS Office (x2-1944). The user must also continue with regular medical monitoring. Refer to KSU's Respiratory Protection Program for more information.
  • Note: N95's/dust masks required for a job/task are classified as filtering facepiece respirators and fall under the Respiratory Protection Program.
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