7. Personal protective equipment and clothing

Personal protective equipment and clothing may act as barriers to minimize the risk of exposure to aerosols, splashes and accidental inoculation. The choice of clothing and equipment depends on the nature of the work. Protective clothing should be worn whenever staff work in the laboratory (see Box 6). Before leaving the laboratory, staff should remove their protective clothing, and wash their hands. Table 5 summarizes the types of personal protective equipment used in laboratories and the protection each type offers.

 Personal protective clothing and equipment

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