Information of Lab Pickup/Laundry Locations

Laboratory coats are required to be worn while working with or in the vicinity of hazardous materials that pose a potential hazard to the employee (SAF 308).

Here are some reminders regarding lab coats:

  • Lab coats should be removed before exiting the laboratory unless going directly to an adjacent laboratory.
  • Laboratory coats must be appropriately sized for the individual and be buttoned to their full length.
  • Lab coats should not be used as a substitution for engineering controls (e.g. fume hoods, glove box).
  • Lab coats are not chemical protection suits. They are not designed for major chemical clean-up or emergencies.
  • There is limited information provided by lab coat manufactures on lab coat capabilities for specific chemicals and chemical combinations.

In an effort to assist labs in complying with all lab coat requirements, Oregon State University EH&S is working in collaboration with CINTAS Inc. to provide lab coats to all employees working in a lab at no cost to the department or lab. Each building/department has a central location where lab coats are stored. Once the lab coat you are using is dirty and needs laundry service, place the coat in the central location’s dirty laundry bag and CINTAS will launder it while you can use another appropriately sized lab coat. If you need a certain type of coat (see below) or size that is not available in your stocked lab coat location, send an email to [email protected].

Please choose a coat based on the types of hazards and chemicals handled in your lab:

Type of CINTAS Lab Coat

Photo

Material of Coat

Uses

Standard White Lab Coat

80% Polyester, 20% Cotton

Use for: employees that work with laboratory-scale amounts of hazardous materials.

Do not use: If you work with large amounts strong acids or bases, or pyrophoric materials, this coat is not appropriate.

Flame and Chemical Resistant Lab Coat (FR only Lab Coats also available)

93% Nomex Aramid, 5% Kevlar, 2% other   + Westex ShieldCXP finish

Use for: employees using large quantities of strong acids, strong bases, flammable materials near an open flame, pyrophoric materials, or when there is a potential for splash hazards outside of the hood.

Do not use: Standard chemical use

Barrier Lab Coat

Front & sleeves: 100% Polyester; Back 65/32 Polyester/Cotton blend + finish (varies)

Use for: handling bloodborne pathogens or other infectious material.

Do not use: This coat should not be used if working with pyrophoric materials or around open flames.

 

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