Laboratory clothing

BSL 3 Biosafety Level 3 is for work with indigenous or exotic microorganisms, which may cause serious or potentially lethal disease if inhaled. Safety equipment Class I or II biosafety cabinets or other physical containment devices protective laboratory clothing, gloves, respiratory protection as needed. Microorganisms include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bacillus anthracis, and Coxiella burnetii. 

Figure 1. Types of laboratory clothing. (Top left) simple cap, (top right) bouffant cap, (bottom) hooded cap.

Figure 1. Types of laboratory clothing. (Left to right, top to bottom) Fully buttoned laboratory coat, wraparound smock, solid front gown, one-piece laboratory suit, two-piece laboratory suit, heavy duty coverall, simple cap, bouffant cap, and...

Use appropriate procedures for bagging, autoclaving, and washing of laboratory clothing. Vaccinate (where possible) individuals engaged in research w ith pregnant sheep or live C. burnetii. 

Low-level radioactive waste gives off small amounts of ionizing radiation, is usually generated in small quantities, and need only be safely stored for relatively short periods of time due to the half-lives of the radioisotopes involved. Low-level nuclear waste includes such things as contaminated laboratory clothing, cleaning equipment and supplies, medical waste that is radioactive, and discarded radioactive devices such as smoke detectors. It is only necessary to safely store this waste for periods of 100-500 years. Prior to about 1979, most waste of this type was sealed in steel drums and dumped into the ocean. Current procedures require that such waste be stored in steel drums and buried in secure sites under several feet of soil (Figure 13.14). 

Protective laboratory clothing such as solid-front or wrap-around gowns, scrub suits, or coveralls mustbe worn in the laboratory, but the same clothing is not to be worn outside. Gloves must be worn when handling infected animals and when hands may contact infectious materials and contaminated surfaces or equipment. Disposable gloves should be discarded when contaminated and never washed for reuse. 

PPE Protective laboratory clothing, gloves, face, eye and respiratory protection, as needed... 

Entrance through change room where personal clothing is removed and laboratory clothing is put on shower on exiting... 

Certain types of laboratory clothing and protective equipment are safer, more practical, and more comfortable than others. Comfort, however, must not be the overriding factor in the final selection of an item required for protection. Once proper protective clothing and equipment are selected, it is the task of the supervisor to provide training in their use and to assure that employees properly use and maintain them. 

Both reusable and disposable laboratory clothing are available from supply houses or uniform service companies. Reusable clothing, although initially more expensive, will eventually save money. But if laboratory clothing becomes contaminated with hazardous chemicals, or contact with corrosive chemicals damages the garment, the use of disposable articles allows for comparatively inexpensive replacement. 

The penetration of hazardous liquids or particulates through laboratory clothing can be minimized by the use of a solvent-resistant long apron. Plastic or rubber aprons worn over a laboratory coat will provide additional protection. Aprons may also be required where equipment is handled in the presence of steam or hot water. Under these conditions, full-length aprons and trousers with cuffs worn outside of shoes and boot tops are recommended. 

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