LAB COAT
PROGRAM
ROLLOUT
EHS CoordinatorLead Contact Meeting
Presented by: Mary Lindstrom
9/17/13
LAB COAT REQUIREMENT
“At a minimum, a laboratory coat
or equivalent protective clothing is
required for work with hazardous
chemicals, unsealed radioactive
materials, and biological agents at
BL2 or greater.”
Chemical Hygiene Plan Template Revision 13 (1/31/2013)
IMPLEMENTATION
Create a program that
will aid DLCs in providing
coats people want to wear
in an efficient manner.
IMPLEMENTATION
 Goals:
✓  Update guidance for lab coat
selection, use, and care.
✓  Establish MIT Preferred Vendors
for providing and cleaning lab
coats at a discounted price.
LAB COAT GUIDANCE
https://ehs.mit.edu/site/content/clothing-such-lab-coats-smocks-and-coveralls-personal-protection
anufacturer.
The more
biological
materials more
and small
amounts of
Swan
acids. Anecdotally,
than
cotton,
the
flammables.
CoatInformation
Information
Table
Model:
650
resistant
to solvents.
poly/cotton
nknown chemical
Lab Lab
Coat
Table
more
blends, but
sistance. Anecdotally,
Limited testing indicates poly/cotton
Supplier: North
Splash Star
Vendor and Model
Resistance/Chemic
Flame
breathable.
Splash
burns.
tter for work Material
with
fabricsComfort
will
burn readily
uponstill
contact
with
FashionResistance
Info Manufacturer:
al Resistance
Uses/Comment
Vendor
and ModelNo. Burnspyrophoric
Resistance/Chemic
Flame
ids than cotton.
chemicals,
so poly/cotton
coats
Polyester/Cotton
Supplier: CintasSeal
May be fluid resistant.
Lightweight
Most common for clinical settings
BlendMaterial
Listed by
Manufacturer: Cintas
information from
readily. mustbreathable.
(hospitals,
labs) and
labs
handling
Info
al
Resistance
C
notResistance
be worn
forclinical
handling
such
Model:Check
420
percent polyester
Model: 59925
manufacturer.
The more
biological materials and small amounts of
then percent cotton.
cotton, the
flammables.
chemicals.
Supplier: North Star
Unknown chemical
more
80/20
or
65/35
or
40
Manufacturer:
Fashion
resistance.
Anecdotally,
Limited
testing indicates poly/cotton
Polyester/Cotton
Supplier: Cintas
May
be fluid resistant.
No.
Burns
Ligh
FR treated materials
Not breathable.
necessarily
fluid
Somewhat.
No
/60 common.
Seal
better for work with
fabrics will burn readily upon contact with
Blend
Listed
Manufacturer:
Cintas
Check
information
readily.coats
bre
(Recommend
Model: 439
acids than cotton.
pyrophoricfrom
chemicals,
(either
100at least
%byCotton
Red Kap
resistant.
Degraded
by so poly/cotton
info
65%/35% for
must not be worn for handling such
ot fluid resistant
or cotton
No. Burns
Lightweight
Good
labsresistant
where
percent
polyester
Model: 59925
manufacturer.
The
or chemical
primarily
KP72WH
acids.for
More
to handling is
research
lab
chemicals. acid
setting.)
uid proof.
Degraded
less readily
breathable
limited
and
splash
resistance is not a
then
percent
cotton.
cott
treated
withby
flame
solvents.
Not
generally
Supplier:
North
Star No. Burns
Unknown
chemical
100% Cotton
Supplier: Cintas
Not fluid resistant or
Lightweight
Good for labs where acid handling is
ids. Anecdotally,
than
concern,
and
there
issplash
some
work
mor
retardant)
tested
for
chemical
Manufacturer:
fluid proof. Degraded
by less readily
breathable
limited and
resistance
is notwith
a
80/20
or more
65/35 or
40 White
Manufacturer:
Fashion
resistance.
Anecdotally,
Bulwark
Swan
acids.
Anecdotally,
more
than
concern,
and
there
is
some
work
with
sistant to
solvents.
poly/cotton
flammables,
heat
andheat
flame.
Supplement
bre
resistance.
650
to solvents.
poly/cotton
flammables,
and flame. Supplement
/60
common. Model:
Seal
better
for work
with
Model:resistant
KEL2LB
blends,
but
with
an
apron
for
acid
handling.
blends,
with an apron for acid handling.
Supplier:
North but
Star
(Recommend at least
Model:
439
still burns.acids than cotton.
Manufacturer: Fashion
Splash
still burns.
65%/35% for Seal
Model: 420
esistance/Chemic
chemical
research
labFlame Not necessarily fluid
FR treated materials
Supplier: Cintas
Somewhat.
No
Better for lab settings with significant fire
al Resistance
Resistance
(either 100 % Cotton
Manufacturer:
Red Kap
resistant.Comfort
Degraded by
information. Uses/Comment
hazard, with an understanding of the
setting.)
or primarily
cotton
Model: KP72WHSupplier:
acids.Cintas
More resistant to
limitations
of the testing criteria
Dupont
Nomex
Unknown splash
and
Yes.for flame
Bre
treated with flame
solvents. Not generally
resistance (see background). Supplement
Supplier: North Star
Manufacturer:
White
chemical
resistance.
aynecessarily
be fluid
resistant.
No.
Burns
Lightweight
Most
common
foranclinical
retardant)
testedCintas
for chemical
with
apron
for acidsettings
handling.
More
ot
fluid
Somewhat.
No
Better
for resistant
lab
settings
significant
fire
100%
Cotton Manufacturer:
Supplier:
Not
fluid
ornotwith
No.
Burns
Ligh
Bulwark
resistance.
costly.
Will
lose
flame
resistance
with
Model:
KEL2LB
Knight
There
is
a
claim
for
heck
information
from
readily.Manufacturer:
breathable.
(hospitals,
clinical
labs)
anduselabs
handling
laundering
overby
typical
lifeof
of readily
coat.
sistant.
Degraded
by
information.
hazard,
with
an
understanding
theNo
White
fluid proof.
Degraded
less
bre
bleach
should
be
used
by
the
laundry
Model:
OM60
chemical
resistance,
anufacturer.
The
more
biological
materials
and
small
amounts
of
ids. More resistant to
limitations
of the
testing
Swan
acids. Anecdotally,
morecriteria
thanfor flame
service.
including
acids,
alkalis,
cotton,
the Yes. flammables.
lvents. Not
generally
resistance
(see
background).
Supplement
650
resistant
to
solvents.
poly/cotton
Dupont
Nomex
Supplier: CintasModel:
Unknown
splash Star
and
Breathable.
Expensive.
Flame resistance
is maintained
Supplier:
North
nknown
chemical
Manufacturer: White
chemical resistance.
even with laundering,
provided bleach is
and
most
solvents,
but
more
blends,
sted
for chemical
with an apron
for
acid
Manufacturer:
ThereNorth
is a claimBulwark
for
used.
Good handling.
for settings
whereMore
there but
sistance.
Anecdotally, Knight
Limited
testingnot
indicates
poly/cotton
Supplier:
Star
Model: OM60
chemical
resistance,
may
be
an
arc
flash
or
flash
fire.
Used
in
specific
testing
breathable.
sistance.
costly.
Will
not
lose
flame
resistance
with
still
burns.
Model:
KNL6RB
tter for work with
fabrics
will
burn
readily
upon
contact
with
including
acids,
alkalis,
petrochemical
industry.
Manufacturer:
Fashion
Supplier: North Star
information
could
not
and
most
solvents,
but
Manufacturer: Bulwark
Limited
testingso
demonstrates
does coats
laundering over
typical
use
lifenomex
of coat.
No
ids than cotton.
pyrophoric
chemicals,
poly/cotton
specific testing
Model: KNL6RBSeal
not burn readily on contact with
be found.
information could not
bleach
should
be used
by the
pyrophoric
so is alaundry
good
material
must
not
be worn
formaterials
handling
such
Model:be420
found.
for such work.
service.
chemicals.
Polypropylene
lab
Various
models
No.
No.
Intended for protection from
dirt, grime,
Polypropylene
lab
Various models
No. Breathable
No.
Bre
FR
treated materials
Supplier:
Cintas
Not
necessarily
fluid in relatively
Somewhat.
No
coat.
available from VWR
dry particulates
nonthrough
hazardous
environment such
as
animal
nknown
splash and
Yes.ECAT. Manufacturer:
Breathable.
Expensive.
resistance
maintained
https://ehs.mit.edu/site/content/clothing-such-lab-coats-smocks-and-coveralls-personal-protection
coat.
available from
VWRKap
(either
100 % Cotton
Red
resistant. Flame
Degraded
by rooms.is
info
handling and clean
Burns readily.
emical
resistance.
even
with
laundering,
provided
bleach
is
through
ECAT.
Ex:No.
VWR Cat.
#414004ot
fluid resistant
or
Burns
Lightweight
Good
for
labs
where
acid
handling
is
or primarily cotton
Model: KP72WH
acids. More resistant to
ab Coat Information Table
Lab Coat Information Tab
FLAME RESISTANT (FR) COATS
 Following the accident at UCLA, there is
a movement towards requiring FR coats
when working with flammable materials.
 MIT EHS recommends the use of FR lab
coats to provide additional skin
protection where the individual will be
working with pyrophoric, spontaneously
combustible, or extremely flammable
chemicals*.
*See Guidance Document for more information.
FLAME RESISTANT (FR) COATS
 Materials
 FR-treated cotton – Often used for
work with flammable materials.
 Nomex - Limited testing
demonstrates Nomex does not burn
readily on contact with pyrophoric
materials.
STYLE CONSIDERATIONS




Tight cuffs
High collar
Snaps
FR coats easily identifiable
PREFERRED VENDORS
 In March a request for proposals was sent to 6 lab
coat laundry companies.
 Bids were assessed on:
 Ability to provide lab coat styles meeting MIT needs.
 Flexibility in laundry options offered.
 Competitive prices.
 Willingness to assist with setup and management of
lab coat systems.
 Agreement to MIT Terms and Conditions.
 Feedback from current customers.
 Cintas and North Star selected to be Preferred
Vendors.
VPF WEBSITE – “SMARTBUY”
https://vpf.mit.edu/site/sourcing_procurement/what_s_new/lab_coat_services
SMARTBUY - CINTAS
https://vpf.mit.edu/site/sourcing_procurement/smartbuy/suppliers/cintas
SMARTBUY – NORTH STAR
https://vpf.mit.edu/site/sourcing_procurement/smartbuy/suppliers/north_star_rental_systems
OPTIONS
 Laundry of rented or customer-owned
coats.
 Launder coats for large or small groups.
 Weekly, biweekly, or monthly service.
 Standard poly/cotton lab coats, or
specialty fabrics (ex. flame resistant,
fluid resistant).
 Variety of storage systems available (ex.
racks, lockers, hooks).
RENTAL SYSTEM
 Most convenient model for reusable
coats involves combination
rental/laundry service.
 Reduced up-front cost vs. buying coats.
 Sizes/numbers of rented coats can be
changed on demand.
 Automatic repairs of minor problems.
 Automatic replacement of old coats.
PRICE
 Preferred Vendors will give all MIT
customers, regardless of size, the
same low price for laundry services.
 Refer to price sheets for differences
in costs between North Star and
Cintas.
PRICE SHEET INFORMATION
 Laundry cost for rental lab coats
 Cost per coat, per week – counting all coats in
circulation
 Price includes laundry + rental
 Laundry cost for customer-owned lab coats
 Cost per coat handed in
 Other charges
 Service charges
 Other weekly charges (ex. rack rental, optional
insurance)
 One-time charges (ex. setup fees, embroidery)
 New lab coats for purchase
CASE STUDY – SMALL GROUP
 North Star setting up a small lab group (10
people) that had no previous service.
 2 poly/cotton coats per person, biweekly service
Item
Biweekly Cost
Yearly Cost
Lab Coat Rental
$10.50
$273
Z-Rack
$1.50
$39
Insurance
$0.72
$18.72
Service Charge
$0.51
$13.26
Total
$13.23
$343.98
CASE STUDY – MULTIPLE LABS
 Four neighboring labs with 70 people total share
a lab coat laundry service.
 Current service – old lab coats owned by labs,
picked up weekly, $5/coat
 New service with Cintas
 1.5 poly/cotton coats, 1.5 coats /person, weekly
pickup
 Benefits – newer coats, proper sizing, automatic
repairs
Original Year Cost New Price
$1220
$1310
CASE STUDY – DLC
 DLC currently uses North Star.
 As result of RFP, new prices will override original
contract pricing.
 Poly/cotton coats for a DLC with 25 labs.
Item
Original Cost
New Price
Lab Coat Rental
$0.48/coat
$0.35/coat
Yearly Cost/lab
$258 + service
$188 + service
charges/equipment charges/equipment
rental
rental
FAQS
 FAQs document
includes answers
to common
questions
regarding lab coat
services at MIT.
 Also includes
contact
information and
useful links.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
 Step One: Do your homework!
 Lab Coat Guidance
 Lab Coat FAQs
 SmartBuy pages for Cintas and North Star
 Step Two: Determine the current status of lab
coats at your DLC(s)
 Centralized vs. decentralized service?
 Which labs do/don’t have a system in place?
 Is there support at your DLC for a centralized
service?
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
 Step Three: Be the Facilitator!
 If your labs use Preferred Vendors already, spread the word
about the lower prices on their future invoices.
 For labs/DLCs not using a Preferred Vendor, assess
whether a centralized service is possible.
 Benefits - Consistency across labs in coat quality and
laundering.
 Feasibility - Physical location of labs (single building,
spread around campus), support of DLC administration.
 If your DLC is a candidate for centralized service, contact
EHS for current examples of centralized service and
Preferred Vendors for an assessment of your DLC’s
options.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
 Step Three: Be the Facilitator!
 If centralized service isn’t probable, reach out to EHS
reps regarding their lab’s lab coat systems.
 EHS Rep meetings, via email, or Level II Inspections.
 Go over current guidelines for wearing lab coats.
 Provide information on Guidance documents and
Preferred Vendors.
 Direct them to EHS and Procurement if further
information is needed.
 Follow-up to make sure all labs in your DLC have
proper lab coat supply and have a system in place to
launder coats as needed.
LAB COAT IMPLEMENTATION TEAM





John Fucillo
Scott Ide
Dan Herrick
Rosa Liberman
Mary Lindstrom





Sara Malconian
Michele Miele
David Petricone
Emily Ranken
Steve Wetzel