I'm a laboratory manager, and I'm going to be advertising for a microbiologist soon. I don't want to discriminate against anyone, so I have a question about the covering requirements for Muslim women.

There are safety issues in a lab like ours. We work with bunsen burners (open flames) and pathogenic bacteria. I'm concerned that a Muslim lady might be burned due to her loose clothing, or that she could carry some bacteria away from the lab with on her clothing, since the lab coats aren't large enough to completely cover her abayya. There are NO men in my lab. Is it permissible for a Muslim lady not to wear abayya (or another coverings) when she works here?

I would appreciate your help!