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DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive

From: Daniel Crowl <crowl**At_Symbol_Here**MTU.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Use of fire resistant lab coat
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 09:27:19 -0400
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: CAPEgXxyw+whsJZ_8yd=5JP9d4jgRcax1dBvc=dj79-RgS+jdsQ**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com
In-Reply-To


I have always believed that the PPE should be selected in each case for the actual hazards present. This should be derived from a hazards assessment prior to the actual experiment. I find that blanket PPE orders can lead to complacency and inadequate PPE.

I have fire resistant lab coats in my research lab that must be worn when flammable materials are being handled - but usually only for the workers actually handling the flammable.

The only exception to this is safety glasses - which I require in my lab all the time. Without this, I find that the lab folks end up not wearing them at all due to minimization of deviations.

Dan Crowl
Michigan Tech


On Sun, Jul 20, 2014 at 5:05 PM, Julie McLachlan <Julie.McLachlan**At_Symbol_Here**greencentrecanada.com> wrote:
We require the use of Blue Nomex lab coats only when working with pyrophorics or a lot of highly flammable solvents. This allows everyone in the lab to instantly know that hazardous work is happening. Otherwise everyone always wears a white cotton/polyester blend lab coat.

Thanks
Julie

Julie McLachlan, M.Eng
Director, Laboratory Services

GreenCentre Canada
945 Princess Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6
P 613 507 4700 ext. 106
C 613 539 2922
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On 14-07-18 12:23 PM, "Ralph B. Stuart" <ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**CORNELL..EDU> wrote:

A question I'm wondering about as we as a professional community consider the aftermath of the UCLA lab fire and its legal follow up is whether there is a reason beyond finances to not use fire resistant lab coats in the lab setting. I recognize that both the initial and maintenance costs associated with fire resistant coats are significantly higher than alternatives, but I wonder if there are other disadvantages associated with their use.

Thanks for any information about this.

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH CCHO
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Department of Environmental Health and Safety
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14850


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