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