Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) has established minimum standards for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in all laboratories where hazardous materials are used. These standards are designed to promote a safer and more consistent research environment by ensuring all laboratory personnel are appropriately protected from chemical, biological, and physical hazards.
The development of these standards follows assessments that identified inconsistent PPE practices across campus. In response, EHS created clear, enforceable expectations for laboratory attire, lab coats, protective eyewear, and glove use. These minimum requirements apply to students, staff, faculty, and visitors entering lab spaces where hazardous materials are present.
Key PPE Minimum Requirements:
- Full-length pants and closed-toe/heel shoes must be worn in all labs using hazardous materials.
- Lab coats are required when working with hazardous materials. Coats must be properly sized, fully buttoned, and maintained in good condition.
- Protective eyewear must meet ANSI Z87.1 standards and be worn whenever there is a risk of splash, flying particles, or UV exposure.
- Gloves must be selected based on hazard assessment and chemical compatibility. Gloves must be removed before exiting the lab or touching shared surfaces.
To support implementation of these standards, EHS has released a PPE Compliance Guide that clarifies expectations, outlines exemptions, and supports a consistent, campus-wide approach to laboratory safety. The guide serves as a practical resource for lab personnel, supervisors, and managers, and includes links to PPE selection tools and updated inspection criteria to reinforce compliance.
PPE compliance will be documented during laboratory inspections. Observations of “compliant” or “not compliant” will be reported directly to the Principal Investigator and included in aggregate reports shared with campus leadership. These efforts are intended to reinforce accountability and elevate the overall standard of safety within Mizzou’s research community.
For more information or assistance with PPE selection and compliance, please contact labsafety@missouri.edu