Lab Coat Program

EHS is partnering with Cintas to offer an automated lab coat distribution and collection program to researchers working in laboratories at Princeton.

Lab Coat Types

Lab coats are assigned based on the hazards present and the specific research activities conducted by each researcher.

Princeton offers two types of lab coat, a flame resistant lab coat (blue) and a standard polyester-cotton blend (white). In addition to the two lab coat types, polyester barrier coats are offered for IBC registered biological research (BSL-1 & BSL-2). Barrier coats are provided as a second garment to be worn exclusively in controlled biological research spaces.

The construction and use scenarios are listed for each below.

Lab Coat Type

Construction

Use Scenario

Flame Resistant chemical-splash protection (FRCP)Nomex™ IIIA Fabric – Westex® ShieldTEC
  • Larger quantities (> 500 ml) of I-B/I-C flammable liquids (such as ethanol, isopropanol, methanol) or
    (> 100mL) of highly flammable I-A flammable liquids (such as acetaldehyde, ethyl ether, pentane)
  • Flammable, pyrophoric, reactive, or oxidizing gases
  • Air or water reactive materials
  • Strong oxidizers
  • Open flame or equipment operating at temperatures > 400°C 
Polyester-Cotton80% polyester – 20% cotton
  • General low-hazard laboratory research
Barrier100% polyester
  • Biological research control areas (IBC registered research)

Program Description

Instituted in December 2024, the automated Lab Coat Program provides distribution and collection of lab coats at several locations on campus. 

Users individually select lab coats using their TigerCard (you must be listed as a lab member in SHIELD). Inventory tracking assures lab coats are always available for distribution. After used garments are returned to the unit, they are pickled up, laundered and individually polybagged for re-distribution.

Cintas has a video detailing how the system works. The video depicts the use of the machine generally; our system is slightly different and EHS will be creating a video specific to Princeton. 

Use of Lab Coat Machines

You must be added as a lab member in SHIELD to use the lab coat machines. EHS will assign the lab coat you need based on the hazards present in your lab.

  1. Go to the location on campus closest to your work area to check out a coat using your TigerCard.
  2. Select the “lab coat” button to choose your size and click the green arrow at the bottom right corner of the screen to dispense lab coat.
  3. To return your coat, simply tap your TigerCard and place your lab coat into the hatch after making sure pockets are empty. Close the door and wait until the light turns off.

At this point you will be able to get another coat from any dispenser machine.

Note: users can use any of the machines to obtain/return a lab coat; however, your size/type of coat may not be available at all sites.

Distribution and Collection Sites 

The following distribution and collection sites will be maintained on campus. Researchers can bring old lab coats to the collection locations for removal and disposal.

Map of distribution and collection sites for lab coats on campus.

Distribution

  • Lewis Thomas, Ground Level
  • Frick, B Level
  • E-Quad E Wing

Collection

  • Lewis Thomas, Ground Level
  • Moffett, 100 Level
  • PNI, B-C Level
  • Frick, B Level
  • E-Quad E Wing
  • Bowen, Receiving Area
  • Hoyt, Dock Area

Staff

Steve Elwood
Director for Research Safety
609-258-6271

Stanley Howell
Sr. Program Manager
Chemical Safety
609-258-2711

Lab Coat Program FAQs