From: John Callen <jbcallen**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Glove Boxes and PPE
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2020 15:40:21 -0500
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: DD7734F5-919D-456D-AA0D-1269B1A1D3E7**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com
In-Reply-To


Steve and All,


Going back 50 years when I was a graduate student at the University of Illinois,Urbana - Champaign, the SOP for using a fixed or lab bench portable glove box was to always wear a lab coat and/or an apron with the appropriate glove and eye protection. Some of my research involved the use of reagents which were highly hygroscopic and required the use of an inert atmosphere.  I wish that nitrile gloves had been invented in the 1970's instead of the 1990's since they allow for better manual dexterity.

I never witnessed but heard of glove box explosions involving Boron Trifluoride where graduate students did not wear lab coats and suffered serious burns.  Lab coats or other protective clothing are part of PPE and should be worn.  

I CC'ed Pete Reinhardt to give his perspective for academic labs.

Be Safe and Stay Well!

All My Best,

John B. Callen - Ph.D.
3M Personal Safety Division - Retried
ACS/DCHAS Founding Member
(312) 632-0195



On Oct 21, 2020, at 2:16 PM, Stephen Beaton <Steve.Beaton**At_Symbol_Here**DAL.CA> wrote:

Hello all, 
 
I've been engaged in a good discussion about PPE requirements for working in glove boxes. Specifically, the debate is whether or not a lab coat should be worn while using a glove box. =46rom an industry standpoint, a lab coat is a requirement; however, the general consensus in many academic labs is to not wear one.
 
I'm curious of everyone's else's thoughts on this subject.  
 
Thanks,
Steve
 
Stephen Beaton, MSc, CHO, CRSP
Chemical Safety Manager
Environmental Health and Safety Office
902.494.1934 | steve.beaton**At_Symbol_Here**dal.ca
Dalhousie University
 
 
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