Work coats: Reasons why we wear them
Workers in laboratories or production are exposed to certain health risks. In the laboratory or production, they handle various chemicals, mechanical instruments and living organisms (e.g. microbes). Mechanical, chemical and microbial hazards cause health problems if not handled properly or if not properly dressed according to laboratory or manufacturing protocol. For example, skin contact with chemicals can cause skin damage. If you have a cut on your finger and you handle infectious microorganisms, they can enter your body through the cut, leading to infection. Therefore, dressing according to laboratory or production protocol is mandatory. But this is where work coats come in - they are of great importance and play a major role in trying to avoid any kind of injury or infection while working in a laboratory or production.Work coats are a staple for those who work in labs or manufacturing, and are also common for some scientists who spend most of their day in an office. Work gowns protect your skin and clothes. They act as a barrier against spills or splashes to reduce contamination with materials used in the laboratory or production. They also protect against radiant heat, sparks, and infrared or ultraviolet radiation. They are fireproof and protect against flying objects (intense, right?). There are different types of work coats and they are used depending on the nature of the experiment you are performing.
So, without further ado, here are some important benefits of using a work coat in a lab or production during any kind of work.
Do you already know everything about work coats and how they protect you in the laboratory or production? Check out our collection of science-inspired work coats.
How do work coats protect against splashes and liquids?
The work coat acts as a physical barrier that protects you from the chemicals you work with in the laboratory or production. Work coats protect your personal clothing underneath from spills, splashes, drips and unforeseen reactions in the laboratory or production. You don't have to change out of your everyday clothes to work in the lab or production, just put on your work coat and get to work (a bit of a simplistic description, but you get what we mean, right?). Work coats are barriers that come between you and unexpected accidents in the laboratory or production. They protect you from injury and in some extreme cases even save your life. Thus, by using work coats, you can protect your skin and clothes from various chemicals.How do work coats protect against fire?
Many work coats are flame retardant and protect your clothing and skin in the event of a fire. They are made from a mixture of polyester-cotton materials (65% - 35%). This mix of materials is the best combination because 35 percent polyester is easy to maintain and resistant to chemicals, and 65 percent cotton has fire retardant properties. Thus, if you handle flammable material or if something accidentally catches fire in the laboratory or production, your work coat will protect you from this fire.
How do work coats protect against the spread of contamination?
Workers in the laboratory or production, after finishing work, leave their work coat in the laboratory or production in which they used it. This prevents contamination from spreading from one lab or production to another or to their home. Thus, anything outside the lab or production is protected from the coat, and anything on the lab or production coat is protected from the outside. Work coats protect the laboratory or production environment from external contamination and the exterior from laboratory or production contamination. If you are wearing your work gown correctly and you are facing cross-contamination in your experiment, then it is only from your hands or other exposed skin.How can work clothes help your confidence?
Work coats with all buttons buttoned up and sleeves rolled up give the impression of a serious professional (which you are!). A professional looking work robe creates seriousness and competence that speaks well of you and your institute/organization where you work. Work coats are mandatory for jobs such as being a scientist or student in a lab or production, but there is a reason why children and adults want to wear a work coat even though they are not employed in a lab or production. To maintain that professional look, you need to change or clean your work gown regularly. If you already look chic, why would you want to compromise your chic look with stains or tears?Do work coats protect your clothes?
If you buy something nice, a shirt or a new pair of pants, you would naturally want to keep them as they are. Therefore, it is necessary to protect your clothes from possible damage caused by laboratory equipment or other materials. No matter what you do in the laboratory or production, work coats protect your clothes. Some work gowns can protect all of your clothing by covering you completely, while others, such as shorter versions, only protect your top and must be paired with shrink pants.Do work coats protect your hands?
Everything you do in the lab or manufacturing is done with your hands and arms, whether you're handling chemicals or cutting agar. Sure, you cover your hands with cami gloves, but if you don't wear a long-sleeved work coat, you're leaving your lower arms exposed to all the hazardous materials you might be using for your job. That's why it's imperative to protect your hands while also keeping your too-long sleeves for work away with your work gown.Are work clothes easy to take off?
The process of removing a work coat (or any type of protective clothing) is called "putting off" (which is the opposite of putting on - "putting on"). If you use a flammable material or something like acid splashes on your work coat, it can cause the work coat to catch fire or start to corrode. You can take off the robe much easier and faster compared to personal clothes. It is very difficult to remove contaminated clothing, so possible skin burns can be avoided by removing the work coat immediately.How does the work coat protect my clothes from melting?
What can cause work coats to melt:- Extreme heat
- Fire
- Strong acids
- Strong bases
- Strong electric current
Some work clothes , which are made of synthetic fibers, melt relatively easily in fire and heat. If you work in a laboratory or production with such clothes and do not wear a work coat, you may have problems with this problem. It can also burn your skin when it melts through your clothes. Generally, work gowns are made from specialized fibers or cotton (see what materials we use for our work gowns) that will not melt in heat or fire. Which means work coats = super safe.
Summary
Work coats could be called the heroes of all safety equipment in the laboratory or production. You should always wear your work coat in laboratories or productions to avoid any health problems. Make sure you wear a gown that fits your size and is appropriate for the type of work you do in your lab or production, and also learn what to do in case of an emergency (eg if your gown catches fire).Looking for your next work gown that's a little different from all the usual, white, boring work gowns? Check out our collection of The Lab Label gowns here.
