The need for adequate eye protection is fundamental to the use of chemicals, including housekeeping materials such as wax strippers, detergent and toilet bowl cleaners, and operations such as grinding, drilling, sawing with power tools. Eye protection, and at times face protection, is required wherever the potential for eye injury exists. Areas where eye protection must be worn are laboratories, glass cleaning and glassblowing shops, and machine shops or any area where active or automated work with chemicals is conducted. Eye protection is required for all personnel and visitors in these areas. No personnel may enter laboratories where chemicals are being handled or automated processes are in operation without eye protection.
Face shields afford protection to the face and neck.
Eye protection must be made available to employees, students and visitors, at no cost to them , when the potential for eye injury exists. Penn has a prescription safety eyeglass program that makes low cost prescription safety eyewear available to all employees. Lab workers must wear lab coats while in a lab where chemicals are being handled. Lab coats should not be worn outside of the lab. Shorts and sandals should not be worn under a lab coat.