Are you wearing the right lab coat? - Washington report

Medical Laboratory Observer, August, 2003 by Terry Jo Gile

Vendors are quick to tell you that their lab coat fabric meets OSHA standards. Laundry facilities tout cotton lab coats as adequate for laboratory needs. Their reasoning is legitimate; cotton lab coats are cooler, and launder easier with high water temperatures and bleach to make the coats look cleaner. On the other hand, suppliers of coats tout polyester as meeting the OSHA standards, being fluid-resistant where cotton coats are not. This, too, is correct.

In truth, however, OSHA's compliance document CPL 2-2.69 is very clear as to the type of fabric it requires to comply with the American Society for Testing and Materials. Spray rating, air porosity and the Suter hydrostatic resistance to fluid pressure are three of the tests a fabric must undergo to determine its suitability for personal protective equipment in the laboratory. Here is how it works:

* The spray rating determines whether the fabric absorbs or repels fluids upon contact. For example, hospital surgical attire that is considered fluid-proof must have a spray rating of 100. Cotton lab coats would have a spray rating of zero. So, if cotton lab coats are splashed or sprayed, the blood or other body fluid will soak through to the clothing or skin of the employee. The ideal fluid-resistant lab coat would have a spray rating of 90.

* The air porosity test determines the breathability of the material or how hot it feels on the employee. Hospital surgical attire that is considered fluid-proof has an air porosity of one. Cotton lab coats have an air porosity of 25. The cotton lab coat is, therefore, cooler than the fluid-proof fabric. The ideal fluid-resistant lab coat would have an air porosity of 10 or higher.

* The Suter hydrostatic resistance to fluid pressure is 850 for surgical attire and 60 for a cotton coat. A large spill of blood or other body fluid would be repelled by the hospital surgical attire, but would easily penetrate the cotton lab coat. The ideal fluid-resistant lab coat would have a Suter test rating of 340 or more.

Ask the manufacturer of your lab coats to supply you with this information.

In addition, lab coats should be made with an anti-static thread throughout the material to prevent computer and equipment power outages. Does your lab coat meet these requirements? Are these same requirements met after 100 washings? 200 washings? If not, it may be time to change vendors or laundries.

Reference

OSHA Compliance Directive 2-2.69

Terry Jo Gile, MT(ASCP), MA Ed., The Safety Lady, helps organizations solve their compliance challenges so they can lower workers' compensation costs and become safety-savvy. She can be reached at 314-894-7004 or at www.safetylady.com.