UC to provide free personal protective equipment to researchers

The University of California Office of the President is giving out free personal protective equipment to UCLA researchers until March 14.

Researchers will be provided with free fire-resistant lab coats and goggles from UCOP and Environmental and Occupational Risk Management, a consulting company, to comply with the UC personal protective equipment policy that will go into effect on March 31.

UCLA began enforcing the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, such as fire-resistant lab coats and goggles, in 2010 when the university released its own policy.

Researchers who have an updated Lab Hazard Assessment Tool and a personal protective equipment voucher can register for the event online.

About 3,700 people have registered for the event so far, said Tamara Vartanian, a senior lab safety officer.

She said the total cost of the event has yet to be determined and will depend on how many people register and how much lab safety equipment is distributed.

James Gibson, director of the UCLA Office of Environment, Health and Safety, said the giveaway stresses the importance of having protective equipment readily available to workers.

“This one time event has the goal of having every researcher getting the (safety equipment) they need,” Gibson said.

Mouna Mikati, a graduate student in biochemistry, picked up his laboratory safety equipment on Tuesday.

“Not all labs have the funds and this makes sure that, legally, there are no excuses,” Mikati said.

Researchers can register to pick up free laboratory safety equipment until Monday, Vartanian said.