Nobody plans to have an accident at the bench. It happens in the half second between a tube being uncapped and a droplet leaving it. A technician looks away, the liquid lands where it shouldn't, and a normal Tuesday turns into an incident report.
If that sounds dramatic, it's because it is. And it's exactly why personal protective equipment isn't a nice-to-have. It's the last line of defence between your team and the things they work with every day.
Let's break down the three pieces of kit that belong on every bench, and why skipping any of them is a risk you don't need to take.
Goggles: Your Eyes Don't Get a Second Chance
Eyes are delicate and slow to heal, and some injuries never fully recover. Splashes from reagents, specimens and cleaning agents can reach them in an instant.
Everyday glasses don't count. They leave gaps at the sides, top and bottom. Proper goggles seal around the eyes, and that seal is the whole point.
Wear them for pipetting, pouring, centrifuging, vortexing and any task involving liquids or chemicals. Choose a comfortable, anti-fog pair, because goggles that fog up end up on foreheads.
Face Shields: For When Goggles Aren't Enough
Some tasks put your whole face in the splash zone: opening pressurised containers, decanting larger volumes, handling concentrated chemicals or working where aerosols could form.
A face shield protects your eyes, nose and mouth together. Think of it as an add-on rather than a replacement: wear goggles underneath for the highest-risk jobs, because shields can leave gaps below and around the edges. Clean and store shields after use, and check them for cracks before each shift.
Lab Coats: More Than a Uniform
A lab coat is a barrier between your work and your clothes, your skin and, eventually, your home. Contaminated sleeves can carry material to places they should never be.
Fabric matters, too. Match the coat to the hazard: standard cotton blends suit general work, while fluid-resistant coats suit tasks where splashes are likely.
A few habits make all the difference:
- Button it up. An open coat protects almost nothing.
- Choose the right length and fit. Long sleeves, snug cuffs, and enough length to cover your clothes.
- Leave it in the lab. Never wear it in canteens, offices or public areas.
- Replace it when damaged or soiled. Launder it through a proper process, not the kitchen washing machine.
Why People Skip PPE (and How to Fix It)
Let's be honest. Most people don't skip protection because they don't care. They skip it because it's uncomfortable, it's missing, or everyone else is skipping it.
Fix those three things:
- Comfort. Offer different sizes and styles so everyone finds a fit.
- Availability. Stock PPE at the bench, not down the corridor.
- Culture. Supervisors must wear it first. People copy what they see, not what the poster says.
A Quick Bench Check
Before you start work, ask yourself:
- Are my eyes covered by sealed goggles?
- Does this task need a face shield too?
- Is my lab coat buttoned and in good condition?
- Do I know where the eyewash station is?
The Bottom Line
PPE only works when it's on. Goggles, face shields and lab coats cost very little compared with a single serious injury, an investigation or the loss of a skilled colleague. They also send a message: in this lab, safety comes first. Small habits, big protection.
Walk your lab today and look at every bench through a safety lens. Is the kit there, is it clean, and is everyone using it? Fix what you find, then do it again next month. See our PPE compliance checklist for diagnostic labs for the fuller category list, or explore the LIFORAMED product range and request a quote to keep every bench stocked.