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Lab Coats for the 21st Century

By:

Nicholas Milne

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Why FR Lab Coats

Why Nomex® IIIA

Assessment Tools

Chemical-Splash Protection

New Lab Coat: FR & CP

Agenda

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Why Needed?

• Recent Lab AccidentsNorthwestern University

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Why Needed?

• Flammable liquids are commonly found in

labs

• Prevent clothing ignition

• Minimize potential burn injuries

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Common Laboratory Hazards

• Chemical Hazards

• Pure and mixtures

• Corrosives, flammables

• Pyrophoric materials

• Chemical Reactions

• Biological Hazards

• Viruses, bacteria, animals

• Plants and genetically modified organisms

• Waste Handling/Disposal

• Fire/Explosive Hazards

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• Airborne Hazards

• Particulates

• Gases, vapors

• Aerosols

• Nanoparticles & Nanomaterials

• Physical & Mechanical Hazards

• Heating and cooling devices

• Instrumentation

• Steam, pressure

• Moving equipment

Most common reported accidents involve fire, explosions, chemical and thermal burns, cuts,

absorption or inhalation of chemicals1.

1http://www.dartmouth.edu/~chemlab/info/safety/hazards.html

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Common Lab

Flammables

90 +

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CultureAttitudes, Beliefs, Understanding

Engineering ControlsTechnical Solutions to Make

Equipment Safer

Work PracticesProper Tools, Proper

Procedures

PPE

Safety Program Hierarchy of Control

PPE is the Last Line of Defense

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OSHA Hazard Assessment & PPE

Employers are required to assess the workplace for hazards that will require PPE

This assessment must be documented

Select PPE that will protect the worker from the hazards identified

Communicate assessment and selection decisions

Train researchers on the PPE

Select PPE that properly fits each lab worker

Use the PPE

Maintain the PPE

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Why Nomex IIIA

• Flash-Fire Protection

• Chemical Resistance

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Why Nomex IIIA

• Negative Effect of Chemical Exposure on

Treated Cotton

“DO NOT USE IN THE PRESENCE

OF STRONG ACIDS, OXIDIZERS

OR REDUCERS.

Strong oxidizing and reducing agents can cause an

adverse reaction with the flame-resistant polymer.”

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What About Chemical Splash?

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Chemical-Splash Protection (CP) Should Not Compromise Flame Resistance (FR)

• Most chemical protective garments are flammable and should not be worn when fire is a hazard

• Some options are flame resistant but relatively uncomfortable to wear.

• Doesn’t breath

• Doesn’t cover entire upper body

• Restricts motion

• Must remember to wear

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New – Workrite FR/CP Lab Coat Featuring Westex® ShieldTEC™

•Nomex IIIA with proprietary ShieldTECchemical-splash protection technology

•The fabric is designed to shed small amounts of liquid chemicals when they are dropped or splashed on the fabric and to prevent them from wicking through the fabric to the wearer

• Multi-hazard protection – FR & CP

•Comfortable to the touch

•Breathable like regular Nomex IIIA

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Westex® ShieldTEC™

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Lab Coat

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Lab Coat

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FlameResistant

ChemicalResistant

Comfortable

The Ideal Lab Coat

Lab Coat

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Comfort

Lab Coat

Properties

• Lightweight

• Feel/fit

• Breathable

ShieldTEC

4.5 oz

Soft/supple

197 cfm air permeability

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Lab Coat

• Multi-hazard – FR and chemical-splash protection (CP)

• Lightweight 4.5 oz Nomex IIIA – comfortable

• Breathable weave – doesn’t hold in heat

• Soft, comfortable feel – added comfort

• Black collar and unique logo to designate CP – easily recognized

• Knit cuffs – (FR but not CP)

• Pocket flaps – prevents liquid entering pocket

• Men’s and women’s styles – look and fit better

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Workrite FR/CP Lab Coat

Market Potential