Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Labs

EH&S provides campus researchers with lab coats, safety glasses, and goggles. Please contact the PPE coordinator at ppe@berkeley.edu if you have any questions or comments about personal protective equipment for your lab.

We also distribute N95 masks to employees when campus is impacted by unhealthy air quality due to wildfire smoke (when AQI exceeds 150). View distribution schedule.

Lab Hazard Assessment Tool (LHAT)

The Lab Hazard Assessment Tool (LHAT) is your web-based resource for identifying hazards present in your lab or research area. Upon completion of LHAT, you will receive a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) recommendation voucher—based on your lab’s assessment—that will make you eligible for our free PPE giveaway program.

I'm a Principal Investigator (PI)

  1. Complete the LHAT (Laboratory Hazardous Assessment Tool) <20-30 minutes>
    • Log in to complete the Laboratory Hazard Assessment or assign a delegate who will do the assessment for you.
    • Answer the series of yes/no questions that make up the hazard assessment.
    • Certify the LHAT is complete.
  2. Complete the PPE training video and quiz <15 minutes>
    • Watch the 6-minute PPE video and take the 10 question quiz.
  3. Make an appointment to be fitted for your PPE.
    • Fitting Room is located at Physics North, Room 156 by appointment only.
  4. Ensure all your lab members go through the LHAT process
    • This includes but is not limited to postdocs, visiting scholars, undergrads, rotation students, and volunteers.

For more information about the role of the Principal Investigator, see: What is the role of the Principal Investigator (PI)?

I'm a Delegate

  1. Complete the Laboratory Hazardous Assessment Tool (LHAT) <20-30 minutes>
    • Your PI must log on to LHAT to assign you as a delegate.
    • You answer a series of yes/no questions that are grouped by hazards (chemical, biological, physical, etc.).
    • Your PI certifies the LHAT is complete.
  2. Complete the PPE training video and quiz
    • Watch the 6-minute PPE video and take the 10 question quiz.
    • Ensure that every person working in your lab has reviewed your lab's hazard assessment, completed the training video and quiz, and been fitted for their PPE.
  3. Make an appointment to be fitted for your PPE.
    • Fitting Room is located at Physics North, Room 156 by appointment only.

For more information about the role of the Delegate, see: What is the role of the Delegate?

I'm a Lab Worker (Researchers & Staff)

  1. Complete the PPE training video and quiz
    • After your PI has certified your lab's LHAT, you will be invited by email to log on to the Lab Hazard Assessment Tool (LHAT). You will review your lab's hazard assessment and acknowledge it.
  2. Complete the PPE training video and quiz
  3. Make an appointment to be fitted for your PPE
    • Fitting Room is located at Physics North, Room 156 by appointment only.

For more information about the role of the Lab Worker, see: What is the role of the Lab Worker?

Glove Selection Guide

Lab Coats

Eyewear

FAQs

FAQs

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How do I find out what PPE I need for my work?

Your LHAT voucher will show what PPE is necessary for your work. This was designated by your PI in accordance with what hazards are present in your workspace.

How do I get my lab coat, safety glasses, or splash goggles?

Get added to your lab’s roster on Labs At Berkeley (L@B). Ask a member of your group to add you to the lab roster. See Instructions for using L@B. Acknowledge the hazards in your lab using Lab Hazard Assessment Tool (...

Does my lab coat fit properly?

It is important that your lab coat fits properly so it can protect you as designed. There are three main things to check:

Body Fit:

All lab coat buttons close. Arms can move freely. The lab coat fits well around the torso and hips. The lab coat fits comfortably.

Coat Length:

The lab coat hangs near the knee.

Sleeve Length:

Sleeves hang above the thumb tip while arms are hanging at sides. With arms in a working pose, sleeves cover the wrist and reach the edge of the gloves.

It is important for both safety and...

How do I get Prescription Safety Glasses?

Prescription safety glasses are an alternative to wearing prescription glasses with over-the-glasses safety glasses.

FOR ALL LABS:

Vision Service Plan (VSP) can be used for prescription safety glasses. If you have a qualifying student or employee VSP through UC Berkeley, you can choose to use it for prescription safety glasses instead of regular prescription glasses. Simply schedule an appointment with the Meredith W. Morgan Eye Center at Minor Hall.

Prescription safety glasses are not a separate benefit from the regular glasses provided by your VSP. To find out more about...

How do I keep my PPE when I change labs?

When moving from one lab to another, you can take your PPE with you if it is appropriate for the hazards in the new lab. To help keep your coat from getting lost after you’ve moved, please complete these steps:

Get onto the roster for your new lab. Any member already listed in the lab’s roster may add a new member through Labs at Berkeley (L@B). Information entered into L@B will be transferred to the lab hazard assessment tool (LHAT). Certify...

How can I return my lab coat?

Drop off extra lab coats

Pack lab coat(s) in a bag or box and seal it.

Bring the lab coat(s) to the Hazardous Materials Facility Monday-Friday, 6am-2:30pm.

Hazardous Materials Facility entrance

Hand the bag or box to a staff...

How can I return my eyewear?

Drop off extra eyewear

Pack eyewear in a bag or box and seal it.

Bring the eyewear to the Hazardous Materials Facility Monday-Friday, 6am-2:30pm.

Hazardous Materials Facility entrance

Hand the bag or box to a staff member....

What is the LHAT?

The Laboratory Hazard Assessment Tool (LHAT) is a web-based application that enables researchers to identify hazards in their labs/research areas. When completed it provides a list of personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary for lab members to wear when working with hazardous materials/processes.

How do I access the LHAT?

Students and Employees (PIs, graduate students, postdocs, and undergraduates)

Access the LHAT system by entering your campus email. You will be immediately directed to the UC Berkeley authentication service. Then log in using your CalNet ID and password.

Not a Student or Employee (volunteers, LBL employees, most visiting scholars)

To access the LHAT securely, you must have a campus-assigned Single Sign-On username and password. For this, you must request a CalNet affiliate account. To request an affiliate...

Questions about your hazard assessment or LHAT?

If you are a PI and have concerns about the activities that will be performed in your lab, please consult with your campus EH&S office. If you are a Lab Worker and have concerns about the activities that will be performed in your lab, please discuss with your PI directly, and consult with your campus EH&S office, as needed. If you have questions about the LHAT system, please contact the UC ERM Service Desk

How do I get my lab coat cleaned/replaced?

Steps:

Whether a lab coat should be laundered, disposed of, or given to EH&S for decontamination will depend on what was spilled on the coat.

Biological Radioactive Chemical

BSL1:

Spray with 10% bleach. Rinse after 20 minutes and let dry Send for laundering

If H-3 (Tritium) contamination is suspected:

Place the lab coat in a sealed bag. Label it with your name, date, and H-3 (Tritium). Contact the Radiation Safety Team for further assistance at (510) 642-3073 or radsafety@berkeley.edu...

Resources

Related Topics

Biological Safety topic page, Chemical Safety topic page, Lab Safety topic page, Laser Safety topic page, PPE topic page, Radiation Safety topic page, Workplace Safety topic page