Scrubs And Lab Coats Are Considered Ppe

However some lab coats can be classified as ppe therefore prohibiting them outside of the work area according to the osha bloodborne pathogens standard 1910 1030 d 3 vii.

Scrubs and lab coats are considered ppe.

Reusable washable laboratory coats. Even though most scrubs and lab coats are not considered ppe there is a company in pittsburgh that sells ansi aami level 2 apparel for medical personnel us paranoids who want to have that extra protection. According to the bloodborne pathogens standard universal precautions is an approach to infection control. With regard to compliance osha s bloodborne pathogens standard 29 cfr 1910 1030 states that it is the responsibility of the employer to determine what personal protective equipment ppe is appropriate.

According to the. Do universal precautions apply to the activities of medical and dental facilities e. Preferable features include long sleeves and closures snaps buttons that can be fastened and secured. First ask osap would like to address the issue of the length of the lab coat.

Their apparel meets level 2 criteria and it is also protected with an antimicrobial. Lab jackets are ppe and they are required to be laundered by the employer. If scrubs do not function as ppe but as a uniform then osha does not have oversight on laundering. These include gloves face masks protective eyewear face shields and protective clothing e g reusable or disposable gown jacket lab coat.

If scrubs function as ppe then the employer is in violation of the bbp standard by having employees clean launder and maintain scrubs on their own 1910 1030 d 3 iv. G the handling of masks goggles gloves lab coats or other personal protective equipment ppe. However none of these options can be considered ppe since their capability to protect hcp is unknown.