• Question: How do you feel about lab coats?

    Asked by Joe to Francesca, Laura, Matthew, Andrew, Rebecca on 10 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Matthew Camilleri

      Matthew Camilleri answered on 10 Nov 2014:

      I can honestly say that my lab coat saved me from burning and get badly injured, so although it is not the coolest thing to wear, it is one of the most important safety equipment in the lab.

      When an accident happens, like a fire or chemical spill, all you need to do is to quickly remove your lab coat and most of the damage would have been averted.

    • Photo: Laura Schofield

      Laura Schofield answered on 10 Nov 2014:

      I love my lab coat! It’s like a badge of honour with its many coloured stains and numbers scribbled on my cuffs!! In all honesty though, sometimes when I walk into the lab I don’t feel all that clever or science-y until I put on my lab coat. As soon as I put that on, I feel ready to face my experiments.

    • Photo: Francesca Palombo

      Francesca Palombo answered on 10 Nov 2014:

      Great fashion items! Just joking – they are obviously important if you handle chemicals that may contaminate or damage your clothes.

    • Photo: Andrew McKinley

      Andrew McKinley answered on 10 Nov 2014:

      Yes. Lab coats are an essential. Particularly in winter when the heating in the lab isn’t great!

      Seriously though – lab coats cannot be undervalued in their proper setting (i.e., the lab!). They have protected me from so many accidents, whoopsies, spillages and spectrometer-lamp malfunctions!

      Same true of safety glasses – and if your teacher says “You don’t need to wear safety specs because you already wear prescription spectacles” – this is wrong. Your prescription spectacles will not offer adequate protection from splashes unfortunately…

    • Photo: Rebecca Ingle

      Rebecca Ingle answered on 10 Nov 2014:

      I very rarely wear a lab coat actually, only usually when I’m making up dyes to use in our lasers as they look like highlighter fluid and stain really badly.

      I agree with all the other scientists though about how important they are as a safety item. Most of my work though doesn’t involve handling chemicals so we’re much more worried about things like the safety of our eyes when using the lasers.

      However, I always feel most like a scientist with a pair of safety specs (or laser safety goggles – which are like colourful lab specs) and a coat on, pouring liquids, even though it really doesn’t happen often in my research!

Comments

  • Photo: Joe

    Joe commented on :

    @Andrew Although I do not wear glasses, fortunately I have never heard your quote about safety specs. In fact, we were recently told that specs do not provide enough protection, and full eye googles (that go from in front of your eyes to your forehead) that are scratched to the point we can’t see out of them are a better idea.

  • Photo: Andrew

    Andrew commented on :

    @Joe Hmm. that’s not good. You have to be able to see out of your safety glasses. Unfortunately your safety equipment must be up to scratch (pun not immediately intended) otherwise it isn’t safe!

  • Photo: Laura

    Laura commented on :

    That is crazy! If you can’t see through them, they are even more dangerous! You’re far more likely to have an accident if you can’t see through your goggles. Although your teacher is right, they are more protective than regular safety specs. You could always request the school buy new safety goggles that would protect you and allow you to see what you are doing!