Re[2]: Safety Clothing in Laboratories

[Douglas.Minnema@dp.doe.gov]

Message authorized by:
    : myself@lanl.gov_at_internet at x400PO
    
    
    In almost all instances, I would agree with the approach below.  
    However, there are occasions when one needs to consider other 
    issues that may override the radiological contamination potential. 
    One can easily imagine, and occasionally realize, scenarios where 
    the clothing helps create a hazard, rather than mitigate it.
    
    A good example is at one of the DOE facilities where uranium 
    machining is performed.  Anti-c's were required due to the levels 
    of particulate contamination present, but they were creating 
    another hazard due to the long sleeves potentially getting caught 
    in the rotating machinary (a typical industrial hazard).  In that 
    case, the solution was "short-sleeved" anti-c's, where some minor, 
    easily removed skin contamination to the lower arms was deemed 
    more acceptable than the alternative.  They still appropriately 
    address contamination when found on other parts of the body.
    
    I would certainly never endorse blantant disregard for the 
    potential for skin contaminations. Certainly, if PPE requirements 
    are established for an activity, they should be adhered to.  
    However, there are worse things than contamination that could 
    sometimes happen (pardon the blasphemy), and we should always keep 
    this in mind when we establish those requirements.
    
    In the DOE world, there is an often overlooked requirement that 
    should be remembered:  
    
    10CFR835.3(d)  Nothing in this part shall be construed as limiting 
    actions that may be necessary to protect health and safety.
    
    Doug Minnema, CHP
    Defense Programs, DOE
    <Douglas.Minnema@dp.doe.gov>
    
    In recognition of recent comments regarding disclaimers, I will 
    only paraphrase something we have all heard: "what I say can and 
    will be used against me..."  :-)  


______________________________ Reply Separator 
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Subject: Re: Safety Clothing in Laboratories
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu_at_internet at x400PO
Date:    9/11/97 11:57 AM


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>your needs.  I just can't fathom taking a chance with exposed skin while 
>working with RAM; you wouldn't do it with acids, why with something several 

>times more annoying to deal with in a spill?
>
One would think that Scott's logic would be held to a certain level of 
esteem wherever work with RAM or acids is conducted.  How about it, 
Radsafers; do you find this to be true at your facilities?  In my 
experience, I have seen all too often, people working with chemicals or rad 
on workbenches or fume hoods wearing labcoats (usually buttoned, but not 
always), open toed shoes such as sandels, and shorts.  Maybe I'm a radical, 
but it is no wonder I have seen so many people get contaminated skin (and 
personal clothing) just below the labcoat or  around the chest area. Please, 

am I idealistic in thinking that this type of practice is "less than 
adequate," or is Scott right?
Jeff Eichorst
myself@lanl.gov
    
"The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he 
resigns momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself."
     - Archibald MacLeish, 1956