DHASers, 

I figure its about time to dredge up this old topic again. After scrolling through the listserv archives, I am curious to how all of you handle shorts/skirts in the research labs.  I know most of you have policies either requiring, or at least recommending long pants.  Some may even be a bit looser and be okay with shorts/skirts as long as a lab coat is worn that covers to the knees.   From personal experience, shorts were allowed (although not “recommended”) while I was in grad school in undergrad teaching labs and graduate research labs (early-mid 2000s). 

Enforcement in undergradaute labs is relatively easy in my opinion – if a student is not following procedures outlined by the instructor, they don't participate in the lab.  I am curious as to how you enforce a “no shorts” rule in an academic research labs.  I train to a “risk assessment” approach and try and teach students, postdocs, and PIs to make good decisions based on the hazards present within their work spaces by performing cursory risk assessments on everything they do.  Blanket “lab threshold-type” policies I do not think are that effective and call into question EHS credibility – hence my risk-based approach to PPE.     

Closed toed/top shoes and eye protection requirements for researchers are usually met without much argument.  However, the shorts/skirt seems to draw a lot more debate.  

Thoughts?