Our Shared Responsibility
As members of the KAUST community, we all play a part in maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is designed to protect you when working with hazardous materials in the lab. But once it’s been used, it can become contaminated. Wearing PPE outside of lab areas—whether into public spaces or to your home—puts others at risk, including your loved ones. That’s why it’s so important to keep PPE where it belongs: in the lab. Outside of research areas, there are no lab hazards – so there’s no need for lab coats, gloves or goggles. Keeping these items in the lab and following the guidelines below helps to protect everyone on campus and keeps our community safe.
PPE Use and Restrictions
- PPE must not be worn outside laboratories or in public areas, including the spine, offices, workstations, common corridors, pantries, and dining spaces.
- If you need PPE in different lab areas (such as going from one building to another building), carry it instead of wearing it. Fold lab coats inside out or place it in a secure bag (refer to PPE Standard for KAUST Laboratories).
Safe Transport of Hazardous Materials
- Hazardous chemicals and infectious biological materials must be transported in robust, leak-proof secondary containers to prevent spills.
- When handling these containers, users may wrap impermeable material (e.g., gloves) over contact points, but must avoid touching shared surfaces.
- Lab coats must be carried, not worn, when transporting hazardous materials.
Approved Transport Routes and Equipment
- Between Buildings: Always use the Level 0 tunnel, not the spine, to ensure a quick emergency response in case of spills.
- Inside Buildings: Use service elevators and service corridors for transporting hazardous materials and equipment—not passenger elevators or public areas.
- Public Areas: Transporting research materials through public areas is allowed only if they are non-hazardous, securely packaged in secondary containers, and for short distances (e.g., on the same floor).
- Cryogenic Materials: Follow specific guidelines for cryogenic transport in elevators (refer to Guidelines for Working with Cryogens).
- Use Carts Whenever Possible: To enhance safety and reduce physical strain.
For more lab safety information and resources, please visit hse.kaust.edu.sa or contact us at hse@kaust.edu.sa
Thank you for Keeping KAUST Safe.
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Important Safety Notice: Research Personal Protective Equipment & Hazardous Material Transport
