It is important to wear proper protective equipment in lab even when not actively performing experiments because accidents can affect any researcher, even one not working on an experiment.
a. true
b. false

Yes, this is true!

For example, think about a situation in which your college is doing an experiment  using some toxic chemicals. Let's say that they stumble and fall, the container breaks and some of the chemicals are sprayed on you! you need a protective equipment then.

What you should re write your question it doesn’t make sense