Campus to Hand out Free Lab Coats and Eyewear to Labpersonnelat Campus Distribution Event

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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[Campus] to Hand Out Free Lab Coats and Eyewear to LabPersonnelat Campus Distribution Event

[CITY OF CAMPUS] — [UC Campus] will be holding a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Distribution Event on[date(s)] at [times], located at [location]. The PPE Distribution Event is afree event and is designed to distribute the proper laboratory safety equipment to lab personnel,at no cost to them,as a result of the new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policy signed by President Yudof earlier this summer. The policy states that, “The University of California is committed to providing a healthy and safe working environment for all members of the campus community. This Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policy is designed to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses for all academic appointees, staff, students, and visitors.”

“We wanted to ensure the safety of the personnel working in University laboratory and research areas,” said Ken Smith, Systemwide Laboratory Safety Manager for the University of California.“We are implementing the new policy to make sure that weare continuing a culture of safety systemwide.”

The new policy will take effect on March 31, 2014. In anticipation of campus enforcement, the University of California hasordered over 93,000 lab coats and eyewear to be handed out at alltencampuses and five medical centers. Lab staff meeting necessary requirements will be given two lab coats and two pairs of safety eyewear at the event.

In order to assess what type of equipment each individual will need, all lab staff will be required to take the new Laboratory Hazard Assessment Tool(LHAT), an online application thatwas created to aidall laboratory staffin assessingworkplacehazards. The results show what PPE lab staff are required to use. The lab staff can then view the assessment, complete theshort video training, take a brief quiz, and print a PPE voucher to bring to the campus distribution event. Those who plan to attend the PPE distribution event will be asked to register ahead of time viaEventbrite at[link]. Along with receiving the free new equipment, lab workers will also be able to choose a designated laundry facility, where they will be able to drop off their soiled lab coats to be laundered free of charge.

More information for this event can be found at [website].For more information, contact [XXXXXXXX] via [XXX-XXX-XXXX]or [.