Health and safety in the laboratory and field

7.6 Personal protective equipment

Figure 12
Figure 11 Personal protective equipment (PPE) for working with highly corrosive liquids
Figure 12

In most laboratories, laboratory coats and safety glasses (goggles) are compulsory. For those who wear glasses, over-glasses or prescription safety glasses can be used. These have side protection that normal glasses do not have. Additional personal protective equipment may include rubber gloves, UV glasses if working with UV radiation, heat/cold-resistant gloves or a full face mask.

Figure 13
Figure 12 Goggles should be worn on entering a laboratory
Figure 13

If you are working with radioactive chemicals then lead shielding may be necessary.