US430: INNOVATION IN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE): LAB COAT

NUR HANI INSYIRAH BINTI NORMAN Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

Laboratory coats are a crucial equipment of worker protection in both laboratory and clinical or patient care areas. Lab coats must be worn whenever working in the laboratory or clinical areas to protect against accidental spill or contact. The important of lab coat are to ensure protection of skin and personal clothing from incidental or unpredictable contact and small splashes during handle dangerous substances. It also helps to prevent the spread of contamination outside the lab such a virus. Lab coat act as a removable barrier in the event of an incident involving a spill or splash of hazardous substances. We can assume that lab coat also acts as shield to protect ourselves from further serious accident. Lab coat innovation has been widespread to advance gradually with technology and current situations which more challenging to face hazard exposure and others problem. We knew there are many scientists had done some innovation of lab coat such as smart fabrics which already implemented in specific industries, but it is not easy as we can see. The reasons are how we attach the other materials which electronic like a sensor in a lab coat without make it discomfortable to it users. It is also become problems when the materials or substances that we want to use is dangerous towards human but at the same time crucial to make innovation at the lab coat to reduce the hazards exposure.