DCHAS-L Archives Jan 12 2012 - lab coat survey responses

Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:26:22 -0500
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From: kauletta**At_Symbol_Here**NOTES.CC.SUNYSB.EDU
Subject: lab coat survey responses
X-To: dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu

Here are the responses to my very unscientific survey. I did my best to
delete any references that could identify a particular university or
facility.

It sounds like most of us are in the same place - we know what needs to be
done, but haven't made it happen yet. Some facilities (universities) are
moving ahead on a facility-wide program. Most leave it to the departments
and/or individual labs to comply.

Thanks to everyone who responded!
- Kim

Lab Coat Survey
Email sent on 1/4/12 to SEHSA & DCHAS elists. Received 26 responses as of
1/11/12.

We are reviewing how lab coats are managed on our campus. We'd appreciate
feedback on how your university/college handles lab coats (non-clinical)
for research labs:

1. How are lab coats purchased?
Each individual student/staff/faculty buys their own?
Lab PIs buy them for their labs?
Departments buy them?
Other?

· EHS Department Purchases all labcoats
· Bio: Lab PI's generally buy them on research or Departmental
incentive accounts. Chem/Bio: Don't know for certain but I'm guessing the
same as Bio. Animal: Purchased out of their Department's accounts.
· Lab PIs buy them for their labs
· Lab PIs buy them for their labs
· Lab PIs buy them for their labs
· Lab PIs buy them for their labs. We donÕt have academic
departments here, but if the group needs lab coats, it is that groupÕs
budget that pays for them, e.g., the PI, the core facility.
· Usually the research directors buy the lab coat for the graduate
students.
· Departments buy them
· Departments buy them
· Departments buy them
· Departments buy them
· X College provides coats to all bio and biochem research labs, and
we are looking to extend the program to other research labs. We do not
purchase coats. Instead, we have a coat laundry/exchange service contract
that includes rental of coats (with name of each user), biweekly laundry
and replacement of damaged or worn out coats.
· The person they work for pays for the lab coats
· In our department (chemistry), department provides for employees
(including student workers). Some employees buy their own. Students buy
their own for teaching labs, but are not required to have them.
· Departments are expected to purchase lab coats for employees
(faculty, staff, and students receiving compensation for their lab work).
Plain old students (non-employees) must purchase their own lab coats
unless departments decide otherwise.
· At X areas the lab coats are purchased by the department for the
faculty. Students are told they can get their own.
· Each individual student/staff/faculty buys their own
· Departments buy them and students then purchase through the
department
· For my facility, lab coats are purchased through various means.
All our students are required to buy lab coats as part of the academic
requirement for all laboratory classes. They can purchase lab coats via
the university book store or other means. For research labs, either the PI
(via grant funding) or the department (department budget) purchases lab
coats for staff, researchers and faculty.
· Could be any of the above.

2. How are they laundered?
Is it up to the individual to launder their own lab coat?
The lab uses only disposable lab coats?
The lab has a washer/dryer for individuals within their own group
to use?
The departments have a washer/dryer for individuals to use?
There is a lab coat laundry service on campus? (who runs it?)
There is a lab coat exchange program with an outside vendor on
campus? (who is vendor and who manages the program?)
Other?

· EHS Department collects all labcoats, professional cleaning
service launders labcoats, EHS department re-issues labcoats
· Bio: Individuals launder their own. Comment: This is an issue we
are trying to resolve. We are considering purchasing a washer/dryer but
don't really have a good spot for laundry facilities. Our teaching
laboratories generally use disposal personal coverings when required.
Chemistry/bio: after working with the Biosafety Officer on Campus they
decided to first bleach them then take them to the commercial laundry.
Animal: they either use disposable PPE although they also use
non-disposable lab coats. They have a washer and drying in their facility
and regularly wash any non-disposable lab wear. Because of biosecurity
practices in place they do not allow outside Departments to use their
facilities.
· The departments have a washer/dryer for individuals to use?
Chemistry only
· Other? _Most contract with cleaners. There are cleaners approved
to handle lab coats contaminated with BBP_
· Other? Laundromat. Is the laundromat on campus or an off campus
commercial establishment? Off campus commercial. Do lab staff take the
coats there officially, or its what is included as part of the safety
info? No they are picked up. Does the lab staff do the laundry or is it a
drop off service? Laundromat does the cleaning and pick up and drop off.
Who pays for it? department
· Other? We have a contract with an outside laundry service; they
handle our facilities staff uniforms and the lab coats. The Hospital has
a separate contract with an outside service that handles bed linens, their
uniforms and their lab coats. Who is your vendor? Oceanside,
http://oceansidelaundry.com/index.html Who pays (non hospital) for the
laundry service? The individual labs/groups pay for the service. What dept
is running/overseeing the service? Plant Operations.
· We have a service contract that includes rental of the coats and
laundry.
· The lab coats are labeled with the person's name and are laundered
by an outside service. People need to have more than one lab coat. The
Department pays for the laundering.
· The departments have a washer/dryer for individuals to use?
department has washer/dryer Ð service provided through stockroom
· Departments are responsible for laundering: some have laundry
facilities on-site, others may contract with a service.
· Laundry is done by the individual wearing the lab coat.
· There is a lab coat laundry service on campus. (who runs it? Not
sure). NB supervisors pay for the service.
· It is up to the individual to launder their own lab coat
· The lab uses only disposable lab coats
· The lab uses only disposable lab coats. Microbiology labs
purchase disposable lab coats for students doing research. The lab has a
washer/dryer for individuals within their own group to use
· The departments have a washer/dryer for individuals to use. There
is a lab coat laundry service on campus? (who runs it?) The stockroom
director takes chemistryÕs coats to the athletic department for laundering
a few times a year. Biology uses washer in vivarium.
· Sometimes, the individual launders their own lab coat. Most of the
time, coats are stained so bad that the PI ends up buying new coats the
following year. My facility has laundry machines for our dormitories, but
there has been no attempt or request to allow the science departments to
use the laundry machines.
· There is a lab coat exchange program with an outside vendor on
campus. (who is vendor and who manages the program?) Mission Linen,
Bencia Calif
· There is a lab coat exchange program with an outside vendor on
campus.
· Depending on the department, some offer an external laundry
service for employees and graduate students lab coats, while other do not
offer it. Some labs also use disposable lab coats. There is no
institutional call on that question, but your questions make me realize
that we should. One more thing on my ÒTo doÓ list. The graduate students
and the employees only have to leave their dirty lab coats at the bin and
they will be picked up by the external service every week and they are
returned clean, one week later. People must have at least 2 lab coats
each.
· Could be any of the above.

3. How is EH&S involved in the lab coat program?
Runs the lab coat purchase &/or laundry program?
Only recommend lab coat types when asked?
Includes lab coat use as an inspection item during lab
inspections?
Other?
· Runs the lab coat purchase &/or laundry program
· All three Departments: In general our Department of Occupational
Health and Safety has worked with us on recommending lab coat types.
Because of the biological nature of three Departments I've described the
University's Biosafety Officer has had some direct input on lab coat
laundering.
· Only recommend lab coat types when asked
· Only recommend lab coat types when asked
· Only recommend lab coat types when asked
· Only recommend lab coat types when asked
· Only recommend lab coat types when asked
· Includes lab coat use as an inspection item during lab inspections
· Includes lab coat use as an inspection item during lab inspections
· Includes lab coat use as an inspection item during lab inspections
· Includes lab coat use as an inspection item during lab inspections
· Includes lab coat use as an inspection item during lab inspections
· How is EH&S involved in the lab coat program? We pay for the
service.
· EH&S advises on appropriate PPE and does lab inspections.
· EH&S recommends lab coat types when asked and includes lab coat
use as an inspection item.
· There is no Lab coat policy from EHS.
· Includes lab coat use as an inspection item during lab
inspections. Also involved in general training to use lab coats, explain
how the system works.
· Stockroom person is also EHS, selects and orders coats for
chemistry dept. researchers.
· We managed to persuade the science department to mandate the use
of laboratory coats in all instructional science courses. This requirement
is enforced by the instructor of these classes and inspected during EHS
laboratory inspections. We also gave recommendations for laboratory coats
to the science departments.
· Specifies lab coats for work involving pyrophorics
· EH&S lab coats are also cleaned by the external laundry service.
The EH&S doesnÕt run the program, but we recommend the department to offer
the service. We also recommend the lab coat types (depending on the
activities). The EH&S personnel uses the lab coat during the inspection
and the lab coat is one of the many thing we are inspecting.
· Not really involved
· Not involved
· not involved
· none
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Comments:
Our facilities use labcoats and uniforms in both laboratory and
manufacturing settings. We purchase 2 or 3 of each type per employee. We
do have names and/or unique identifiers on many of the coats. (Type
meaning chemical resistant labcoat, 70E rated, cotton, blend etc,
depending on chemical application). We do have some disposable coats for
certain chemical-contacts.We also maintain a laundry contract for both
uniforms and labcoats. The laundry is picked up regularly enough that the
individual has one to wear and one in reserve. All contracts of this type
are paid at the site level and then allocated back by area or department
as appropriate. EHS support is paramount for ensuring the laundry company
is HazComm trained for any possible contamination issues. (We have had
OSHA specifically investigate the thoroughness of this training.). We also
have EHS involved in contract bids and renewals to ensure the discipline
is represented and documented.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Aramark has one of our contracts.
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Lab coats at X U. are managed per department level, each program adjusted
to the basis of need and risk assessment. The one universal piece of the
program is that each department offers a laundering service, handled by an
outside vendor (Clean Rental Services is used by each). Also, the cost of
the labcoat is always covered by the research lab grant or department. No
student is ever purchasing their own equipment, which the exception of
undergrad core labs.

The Molecular Biology/Evolutionary Biology/Genomics/ Psychology
departments maintain a stock of general poly/cotton labcoats for student
purchase using their lab grant.

The Engineering School, Physics, and Geosciences departments do not
maintain any stock of coats, researchers buy them on as needed or as
requested basis. Typically, these students will come to me for a
recommendation, I review their procedure and send them several options
including the one I feel most appropriate. The student will then take
this information to their PI and the lab will purchase it for them.

My recent Òsafety winÓ in respect to labcoats occurred within the
Chemistry department last year. The Department Chair created a policy of
mandatory labcoats for all Chemistry researchers present within the active
research area. The department pays for two labcoats for each person,
embroidered with their name and department. This is an ongoing program,
that entails loaner coats, sizing coats and recurrent purchasing of
labcoats. I was solely involved with the recommendation of the coats
taking into account all of the hazards the researchers encounter, their
habits (good and bad), and general needs of use. I would be happy to
share my results with you if desired.
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As of right now, lab coats are purchased by the PI. We are looking into
having the Office for Research pay for them, as OSHA requires that the
employer provide PPE. There was a lot of discussion at one time about
whether the employer was technically the PI or the University (I say
University), so the University may end up buying them. As for undergrads,
they purchase their own lab coats for use.

We have a vendor that collects them to launder. As of right now, itÕs up
to the individual to get them laundered. The program is managed through
VWR, although they contracted to Healthcare Laundry System for the actual
washing.

Before I answer the third question about EH&S (we are called the Office
for Research Safety here at XU), let me explain my position first. I am a
Lab Safety Specialist devoted to the Chemistry department. I report to
ORS, but Chemistry is my Òhome.Ó I work more closely with them to develop
policy, enforce, inspect, etcÉ My position was created a year ago, so itÕs
a unique entity within both Chemistry and ORS. Basically, I have one foot
in ORS and one foot in Chemistry. This give me more ÒpowerÓ so to speak
within Chemistry, as they have entrusted me to ensure compliance. I am
currently in the process of developing some policies that the department
has not had before, but are long overdue. Once we sort out the lab coat
buying situation, there will be a lab coat policy.

So with that said, ORS does not have a specific policy regarding wearing
lab coats. We can advise on types to purchase, but thatÕs about it. The
Chemistry side of me is working with each Chemistry research lab to
identify where lab coats are required and where they are not.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At this moment we have set up pilot program for lab coats on which the
individual department (only two right now) is paying for them. Also, each
individual professor pays for his/hers students lab coats. The goal of our
program is to have the department pay for them. With our pilot program we
have an outside company coming in every week and taking the soil lab coats
and providing us with clean ones. Disposable lab coats are not to be
used in high hazard labs. We are still figuring out if its cost efficient
to have a washer/dryer: questions with this situation is: who is going to
enforce there is not just one lab coat being washed? Who is going to
enforce that there is no real contamination (bsl2 and rad users can not
mix their lab coats with the regular chemistry users lab coats) The vendor
we are using right now is CINTAS. There are pros and cons to everything.
EH&S is the one in charge of the pilot program and looking on how to
manage lab coats better. Once the pilot program is done we are looking at
the departments to manage it (this will be challenging). But EH&S does the
inspections. Lab coats are mandatory at every lab. I am at the end of my
pilot program and it has been a challenge. 1) some departments are better
than others. 2)some students are better than others 3)because of budget
constrictions some departments do not want to pay for them. 4)no one in
the department wants to take over (Òcreating extra work for themÓ is what
I am told). 5) in terms of washer and dryers presents a challenge when
looking for a location(s) and what would be the cost? And who is going to
oversee it?
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Lab coats are PPE. Federal regulations require that the employer
provide/specify the lab coats and provide instructions for their use.
I am retired from Argonne National Laboratory (a federal contractor R&D
organization). Specifications can include whether or not the lab coats
are cotton (best for fire protection; including electrical arcs),
synthetic (worst for fire protection), or specifically fire retardant
(ideal for those who use flammable solvents). Specifications can also
include whether the closures are snaps or buttons; and whether the cuffs
are open or have an elastic closure. (If choosing snaps, monitor for
damage during the laundering process. Specifications for use/inspection
include use of the closure -- an open lab coat provides substandard
protection.
The institution must be responsible for laundering - typically by an
external vendor for which a specific contract has been established at the
institutional (not departmental) level. It is inappropriate at the least
for a worker to mix a "dirty" lab coat with their own customary domestic
laundry. Similarly for an on-site laundry service that may include
hospital linens.
Lab coats used by R&D personnel who use radioactive materials must be
surveyed before transfer to the general laundry "bin." Procedures should
be established for rad-contaminated coats.
The laundering requirement generates a turnaround time that necessitates
that each person have at least two lab coats - preferably personalized so
that those who pay for lab coats receive clean coats that are in the same
acceptable condition as when sent to the laundry.
WHEN to use a lab coat is a contentious topic. The most conservative and
prudent "rule" is that every person who enters a lab wears a closed lab
coat. This necessitates the availability of guest lab coats. Any other
than this conservative approach leads to an endless number of judgement
calls such as "I was just going to look at slides under the microscope."
and "I was just checking the temperature of the oven/water bath." In
these two examples, there may be other hazardous work in progress by
others, and/or the "I was just ..." expands in scope.
"Inspectors" must set an example by ALWAYS wearing their personal lab
coat.
I have no concerns about lab-to-lab cross contamination and/or creation of
incompatible mixtures; and have never encountered such concern by others
more knowledgeable than I.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We do not really have any sort of formal program for using lab coats. I
can not get anyone to pay attention to this issue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two chemistry research labs, only about 4-8 students do research any given
semester. In all there are 4 teaching labs and 4 research labs. Biology
has two labs where students wear lab coats. 16 wear them for teaching lab
(microbiology), 2 or 3 wear them for research. In all there are 8
teaching labs and 9 research labs. Psychology has one research lab and a
big teaching lab. Lab coats are not used in any psychology labs. Lab
coats are not required for general chemistry or other chemistry teaching
labs. Occasionally we have a student ask about buying lab coats, but only
one has gone out to buy his own in my 5 years here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While I cannot address the specific questions here is my take with respect
to the employer/employee.

The employer usually supplies the personal protective equipment (PPE). Lab
coats are considered PPE.
After performing a "hazard assessment,Ó the employer provides the
appropriate PPE for employees and maintains the PPE including laundering
and replacing worn lab coats. By having the employer launder the lab
coats, the risk of take home toxins is significantly reduced. The
employee has a role here too, and that is to properly wear the lab coats
and ensure that his/her lab coat is cleaned.

Personally I think that personnel, including students, working in graduate
research labs should be treated as employees.

I understand your concern. I come from a non-academic research lab
background and employee compliance and costs were always an issue. We
supplied the PPE through an outside uniform/laundry company. One of other
problem was keeping an inventory of the coats.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How many labs do you have?
· We have approx 5000 employees in US (10000 globally) with regional
contracts where we cannot get global contracts (for PPE) . In NY we have
3 sites with the largest having 1500 employees.
· We have 20 chemistry labs, 24 biology labs, 17 pharmaceutical
science labs.
· We have approximately 90 labs.
· We are a regional public university, ~10,000 students total, MS
only (no PhD program). I speak only for the Department of Chemistry.
· My Department has ca 15 research labs + support spaces and 7
teaching labs + support spaces. The Bio/Chem lab I referred two is one of
probably a similar number of lab facilities in Chemistry. The animal
facility is "one" facility but is (just a guess) ca 5000 sq ft.
· 112 Labs with FDNY Chemical Lab permits and about 30 non-chemical
Labs (physics, nutrition, etc.).
· We have 73 Heads of Laboratory and about 1.2M sq.ft. of wet lab
space.

Kim Auletta
Lab Safety Specialist
EH&S Z=6200
Stony Brook University
kim.auletta**At_Symbol_Here**stonybrook.edu
631-632-3032
FAX: 631-632-9683
EH&S Web site: http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/lab/

Remember to wash your hands!

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