Accessibility statement

Laboratory Coats

  • Laboratory coats must be worn (and fastened) in all bio-containment laboratories handling cell cultures and microorganisms (Containment Levels 1 – 3)
  • A ‘Howie’ (side fastening) style laboratory coat with elasticated cuffs must be worn for all work with pathogens or materials containing pathogens (Hazard Groups >1)
  • It is acceptable for someone to enter a laboratory without wearing a laboratory coat (e.g. to speak to a colleague or a visitor looking round) provided:
    • they are not engaged in any work activity
    • it is not a mandatory 'local rule' of the laboratory for everyone to wear a laboratory coat e.g. when working in a high containment (CL3) biological laboratory
  • Laboratory coats should be kept or stored separately in the laboratory area
  • Laboratory coats should be changed and laundered regularly
  • Laboratory coats must normally be removed (along with any other protective equipment e.g. gloves) before leaving the laboratory