Chapter 10: Personal Protective Equipment for Biohazards

One of the containment methods utilized to minimize exposure to biohazards is through the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE is wearable equipment that functions to create a barrier between lab personnel and the biohazard. It is often used in conjunction with other primary barriers, such as Biological Safety Cabinets to minimize exposure and is often the last line of defense between a biohazard and ourselves.

1.     DEFINITIONS:

1.1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Equipment worn to minimize exposure to a variety of hazards.

2.     PROCEDURE:

2.1. General PPE Guidelines

The laboratory PI is responsible to provide appropriate PPE for the laboratory. An adequate supply of PPE is required to be maintained for all lab personnel, visitors, and ancillary University staff; including Facilities Management personnel, Custodial Service Workers, EH&S staff, administration, or any other personnel who needs to enter the lab.

When donning PPE, it is important to ensure the PPE is not damaged, or otherwise compromised. It is equally important to recheck your PPE throughout your work. If damaged or overly soiled, it is necessary to remove and don new PPE.

PPE worn inside the laboratory should not be worn outside the laboratory unless you are transferring hazardous material between labs.

2.2. Standard PPE for Each Biosafety Level

BSL1

• Lab coats, gowns, or uniforms are recommended to prevent contamination of personal clothing.
• Safety glasses are recommended to be worn in the laboratory at all times.
• Safety glasses are required to be worn when conducting procedures that have the potential to create splashes of biohazards or other hazardous material.
• Gloves must be worn to protect hands from exposure to biohazards.
• Gloves should be changed when contamination or when the integrity is compromised.
• Remove gloves and wash hands when work with biohazards has been completed and before leaving laboratory.

BSL2

• Lab coats must be worn when working with hazardous materials and must remain in the laboratory. They may be reusable cloth lab coats or disposable.
• Lab coats must be removed before leaving the laboratory area.
• Safety glasses are recommended to be worn in the laboratory at all times.
• Eye and face protection such as goggles, mask, or face shield must be utilized if manipulating or handling infections material or microorganisms outside the BSC.
• It is not required if you are transporting closed containers of infections material between storage and the BSC.
• Gloves must be worn to protect hands from working with infections materials and other biohazards.  Glove selection should be based on appropriate risk assessment.
• Nitrile gloves are the preferred choice given their wide range of protection.
• Gloves must be changed when contaminated, glove integrity is compromised, or when otherwise necessary.
• Gloves must be removed, followed by hand washing, when working with infectious material and other biohazards is complete and before leaving the laboratory.
• Gloves must not be washed and reused.

BSL3

• Lab workers are not permitted to wear personal clothing, shoes, or jewelry in the BSL3 High Containment Area (HCA).
• Prior to entering the HCA, lab workers must change into facility captured scrubs and shoes.
• Depending on the procedure being performed, either a solid-front gowning or Tyvek suit is required to be worn.
• Eye, face, and respiratory protection is required for entry into the HCA. A Powered, Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) must be worn at all times within the HCA.
• Gloves must be worn to protect hands from working with infections materials and other biohazards. Glove selection should be based on appropriate risk assessment.
• Double gloves are required for use in the HCA.
• Nitrile gloves are the preferred choice given their wide range of protection.
• Gloves must be changed when contaminated, glove integrity is compromised, or when otherwise necessary.
• Outer gloves must be removed when working with infections material and other biohazards is complete and before leaving the laboratory.
• Gloves must not be washed and reused.

2.3. Glove Removal Procedure

West Virginia University as adopted the “beak method” as the recommended method of glove removal.

Source: Emory University  https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/ranews/2015/01/01/beak-method-glove-removal-technique/

2.4. Lab Coat/Scrub Laundering