Disposable gloves are helpful – and often required – in many industries, but as with any tool or accessory, there are best practices to follow to ensure you get the most out of your gloves while maximizing barrier protection.
Here are seven best practices to follow when wearing disposable gloves.
1) Wash your hands first.
Although it may sound counterintuitive, washing your hands before putting on gloves is a must for proper hand hygiene.
Because if you don't wash your hands beforehand, you run the risk of contaminating the surfaces of the gloves if you accidentally touch them with your bare hands. You could also spread germs if the gloves tear for some reason.
For proper handwashing techniques, follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) standards :
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the faucet, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Do you need a timer? Hum the song “Happy Birthday” twice from start to finish.
- Rinse your hands thoroughly under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them.
2) Before putting on a pair of gloves, check whether there are any punctures, tears, holes or tears.
Double-check your gloves before using them. Can you spot pinholes? Crack? Discoloration? If you see one of these, don't hesitate to throw away the gloves and opt for another pair.
The rule of thumb when putting on gloves is: it's better to be safe than sorry.
3) Replace your gloves when they appear to be starting to wear out.
If you notice signs of wear and tear , it's time to switch to a new pair of gloves. Another rule of thumb is: the more disposable gloves you wear, the better. Less is no more in the world of glove safety .
4) Do not wash or reuse disposable gloves.
Disposable gloves are disposable for a reason. They are designed for short-term use and not for reuse. When in doubt, just grab another pair of gloves.
5) Wear gloves of the correct size.
In addition to the quality of a glove, the size of the disposable gloves you wear is also very important. If your gloves do not match the size of your hands, the integrity of their application(s) may be compromised. It may also cause your hands to tire, your gloves to fall off, and compromise the protection they are designed to provide.
It's best to choose a pair of gloves that fit as snugly as possible on your hand, but not too tight. You want both comfort and a snug fit.
6) Wash your hands between changing gloves.
Again, handwashing is one of the most important – and effective – ways to prevent the spread of disease and contamination. So if you throw away a pair of gloves, wash your hands before putting on a new pair. We recommend that you follow the same CDC guidelines we mentioned in #1.
7) Do you have a latex allergy? Instead, choose gloves made from nitrile, vinyl, or cast polyethylene (CPE).
If you have ever suffered from a latex allergy or even suspect that you may, look for gloves made from alternative materials. Nitrile , vinyl , and/or CPE gloves are excellent substitutes for latex gloves.
If you experience any of these symptoms—from dry, itchy, crusty skin with cracks or sores to a runny nose, wheezing, difficulty breathing, facial swelling, cramps, and shock—you may be having an allergic reaction to latex . Then choosing the alternative option is the wisest decision.
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By following these seven steps, you can get the most out of your gloves and adhere to health and food safety best practices.
