What is lab coverall?
Lab coverall, also known as chemical protective clothing, is clothing used to protect the body from chemical substances.
One-piece protective clothing has a variety of specifications, a variety of levels, a variety of application scenarios, it is not easy to completely figure out. According to EN standards, it has fabric standards, garment form standards, testing standards, protection level/category standards, and many others. Theoretically, it is only economical and practical to use precise selection.
In terms of protected characteristics, it is mainly divided into airtight and non-airtight, waterproof and particle-proof, and then divided into different levels (usually 6 levels) based on dimensions such as the pressure of penetration, time, and size of particles, so you can imagine the complexity. Naturally, there is business here, too. CE marking is the main proof of compliance with its characteristics.
Whether the performance of the various types of jumpsuits on our market is as it is claimed to be, requires authoritative inspection and testing certification. It must be noted, however, that the one-piece suits are mainly protected against large areas and larger amounts of spatter or particulate contamination, and are suitable for use in laboratories with high levels of protection.
In general hospitals and communities, based on risk assessment, the above-mentioned one-piece suits are not necessarily needed. For the new coronavirus, WHO recommendations are that protective masks (including N95, etc.), goggles/masks, and gloves are particularly critical for individual protection, and clothing recommendations are that long-sleeved gown suits are sufficient and that jumpsuits and boots are not required. If a larger amount of liquid splashing is expected, a waterproof apron can be added.
Selection of lab coverall
In recent years, there has been a lot of news about accidents in laboratories, and human injuries caused by imperfect protective equipment in laboratories have occurred from time to time, thus causing the community to pay attention to the safety and protection of laboratories.
In the laboratory, protective equipment is mainly divided into three categories: safety helmets, protective clothing, safety shoes, etc. Laboratory protective clothing is essential to protect the safety of operators. Choosing the right laboratory protective clothing can smoothly carry out experiments, prevent safety accidents and protect the personal safety of laboratory personnel.
Regarding laboratory protective clothing, I suggest the following aspects to choose from.
a. Whether the working environment is a clean room or a clean room. For cleanliness requirements the laboratory should choose clean clothing, to avoid clothing becoming a source of dust, and the impact of the laboratory.
b. If you are involved in electronics, photo electricity, and other high requirements for anti-static, you should choose anti-static work clothes. Anti-static
lab coverall can effectively neutralize the electric charge generated by friction, avoiding damage to instruments due to electric sparks, and even fire, explosion, etc.
c. If you are involved in biological, chemical, or corrosive liquids that may cause harm to people, you should choose acid and alkali chemical protective clothing. Acid and alkali-resistant work clothes can isolate the liquid outside the clothing to avoid damage to the human body due to infiltration.
Standard grade of lab coverall
Coverall
The standard for chemical protective clothing was proposed and developed by the United States, and the current standard is divided into four levels.
Level A protection
Level A protection is currently considered the highest level of protection for the face (eyes and skin) in the world.
Self-supplied or piped breathing gas; fully enclosed chemical protective clothing; inner and outer chemical protective gloves; chemical protective boots; and hats.
Class A protective clothing must be worn in the following situations.
The presence of high concentrations of harmful vapors, gases, and dust environments; high risk of accidental splashing; immersion or exposure to harmful vapors, gases, and dust that cause damage to the skin or can be absorbed through the skin; substances that are likely to be highly injurious to the skin and exposure cannot be avoided; and poorly ventilated operating environments.
Level B protection
Level B protection has the same respiratory protection as Level A, but slightly less skin protection, the lowest level of protection required in the disposal process of hazardous materials (the lowest here is to emphasize the nature of the work is direct "handling" chemicals, not that it is the lowest of the four levels).
It has the following characteristics.
a. Chemical-resistant, splash-proof clothing; inner and outer chemical-protective gloves; chemical-protective boots; hard hat.
b. Provision of breathing gas (SCBA or gas line).
B level of protective clothing must be worn in the following situations.
IDLH environment (inhalation only) does not cause serious skin damage or is not compatible with the use of filters; exposure to substances of known nature and concentration requiring high-level respiratory protection, lower-level skin protection, oxygen concentration less than 19.5%; toxic vapors or gases not fully detectable by the instrument but not harmful to the skin or not absorbed through the skin.
(IDLH-Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health concentration "Immediately threatening to life and health concentration": refers to a hazardous environment in which the concentration of air pollutants reaches some dangerous level, such as fatal, permanently damaging to health, or can make a person immediately the loss of ability to escape. (Generally, in ppm, the unit of concentration corresponding to the expressed solution is mg/L)
Level C protection
Level C protection has the same level of skin protection as Level B, which is a lower level of respiratory protection.
Level C protective clothing generally consists of a full facepiece air filtration respirator; chemical protective clothing; inner and outer chemical protective gloves; chemical protective boots; and a hard hat.
Level C protective clothing should be worn in the following situations.
The type and concentration of contaminants in the air are known and can be effectively filtered by the filter; Oxygen content is not less than 19.5%; Gas environment is below IDLH.
a. The type and concentration of contaminants in the air are known and the filter can effectively filter.
b. Oxygen content is not less than 19.5%.
c. Gaseous environments below IDLH.
Level D protection
Level D protection has no respiratory protection. It has only the lowest level of skin protection.
Level D protective clothing generally consists of a coverall; chemical protective gloves; chemical protective boots; safety glasses or eye protection; and a hard hat.
Level D protective clothing is worn in the following situations.
a. There are no known hazardous gases in the atmosphere.
b. The work is free of liquid splashes, immersion in liquids or the possibility of exposure to any hazardous chemicals.
Use of lab coverall
Unlike not ordinary clothes, wearing lab coverall incorrectly not only brings discomfort and affects the flexibility of operation and activities but may also endanger personal health and safety.
Choosing the correct size before wearing is a prerequisite for increased safety and comfort. If the chosen size is too large, the protective clothing may become involved in production equipment; if the chosen size is too small, it may tear or greatly restrict freedom of movement.
How to put on a lab coverall correctly?
a. After selecting the proper coverall, a contamination-free changing room should be set up away from the workplace for staff to change the lab coverall. Staff should remove all items in their pockets that may hinder their work and store them in a safe environment.
b. Sit in a chair and take off your shoes first. Then carefully put your feet in order into the leg of the lab coverall, then put on safety shoes or safety boots and lace them up firmly.
c. At this point, it's time to put on gloves suitable for work use. Be careful! If the employee uses two pairs of gloves, now only one of them should be worn first. Then stand up while pulling the lab coverall up to the waist, and then put the arms into the sleeves.
d. Put on goggles, mask, etc. Make sure they are worn correctly, comfortably, and tightly, and then zipper up the lab coverall.
e. With the cap on, zipper the lab coverall to the very top and press the zipper to lock it.
f. If you are using two pairs of gloves, put a second pair of gloves on over the first pair so that the edges of the gloves cover the wrists and cuffs of the jumpsuit.
How to take off lab coverall correctly?
a. A contamination-free space should be found. Before removing the lab coverall, first clean gloves, and boots to avoid dust upward and wipe down the mask and zipper cover. Any protective equipment (e.g., tape) should be discarded into a special chemical waste container immediately after removal.
b. The wearer should roll back the headgear while wearing protective gloves, being careful not to let the outside of the protective clothing touch the head.
c. Unzip the lab coverall and roll up the jumpsuit from the inside out to below the shoulders. Then place your hands behind your back and pull it down completely from both arms.
d. Sit in a chair, remove your shoes and roll the lab coverall down (making sure the contaminated side does not touch or come in contact with the clothing) to below your knees until the protective clothing is completely removed.
e. Finally, discard the disposable lab coveralls into the attached bag and take off the gloves again.
How to buy lab coverall?
ANTITECK provide lab equipment, lab consumable, manufacturing equipment in life sciences sector. If you are interested in our lab coverall or have any questions, please write an e-mail to info@antiteck.com, we will reply to you as soon as possible.
