Lab coats must be made of 100% cotton or flame-resistant material in labs where open flames are used (such as alcohol burners). Labs that store large quantities (>10 gallons) of flammable liquids outside a flammable storage cabinet must use Lab coats made of 100% cotton treated with flame retardant material.

Lab coats are a key element of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the laboratory. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Centers for Disease Control reference the use of Lab coats or other protective clothing for use in laboratories while working with hazardous materials.

Lab coats should be worn fully buttoned or snapped with sleeves down. Wear lab coats only when in the lab or work area. Don't wear lab coats in public areas, such as offices, cafeterias, lunch rooms, lounge
areas or elsewhere outside the laboratory, as they can transfer hazardous materials to these areas. Lab coats can't be cleaned at home.

In general, protective clothing, including lab coats, should not be used as a substitute for engineering controls such as a fume hood, a glove box, process enclosure, etc., or as a substitute for good work practices and personal hygiene. For significant chemical handling, it will be necessary to supplement lab coat use with additional protective clothing (e.g., a rubber or vinyl apron for handling large quantities of corrosives or hydrofluoric acid, or chemical-resistant coveralls for full-body protection). Conversely, the use of engineering controls such as fume hoods does not preclude the need for wearing the proper PPE, including lab coats.