TA Training: Personal Protective Equipment

One of the most important factors in keeping students safe is the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). One of your most important jobs as a TA is to enforce the safety rules. The proper use of PPE is crucial in protecting students from hazards encountered in the chemistry lab. By ensuring that students wear proper PPE, you are helping to protect them from unexpected accidents. Listed below are three important rules regarding proper attire that you should make sure your students follow.

The use of gloves is strongly recommended, especially in organic lab. One good type to use is the nitrile glove, as shown to the right. Gloves are a good first line of defense for reducing chemical exposure. Alpha Chi Sigma will have gloves available for sale.

It is Marshall University policy that all personnel including students, staff, and visitors in laboratories wear appropriate goggles at all times where chemicals are stored or handled. If chemicals are present in the lab, goggles are required to be worn. Students are to wear goggles when working on their lab notebook if anyone in the lab is performing an experiment. Goggles are sold by the bookstore, and Alpha Chi Sigma will also have them available for sale. Goggles must be indirectly vented. These goggles are not to be tampered with, i.e. the vents removed. Remember that TAs must also wear safety goggles at all times.

The wearing of contact lenses in labs has been a controversial issue. It is preferred that glasses be worn rather than contact lenses. If a student wishes to wear contact lenses, they will be required to sign a contact lens waver. This form is to be given to the lab instructor.

For more information regarding the use of contact lenses in the laboratory, refer to the following document Contact Lens Use in a Chemical Environment – CDC.

By making sure your students follow these rules you are helping to insure that your students’ lab experience is a safe, enjoyable one. You should do your part to make the lab safe.