The correct removal of protective gloves is the most effective way to prevent the spread of contaminants and protect the wearer after a task. Gloves create a barrier that traps pathogens and hazardous materials on the outer surface. A standard, methodical technique is required to ensure the contaminated exterior never makes contact with the wearer’s skin, the surrounding environment, or clean surfaces.
The Standard Safe Removal Technique
The physical removal of gloves must follow a method that confines the contaminated outer surface entirely within the removed glove, often called the “glove-in-glove” technique. Begin by grasping the outside edge of one glove near the wrist, avoiding contact with the forearm skin. Peel this glove away from the hand, pulling it off inside-out so the contaminated exterior is contained inside.
Hold the removed, balled-up glove securely in the palm of the remaining gloved hand. Slide two fingers of the clean, ungloved hand underneath the cuff of the second glove at the wrist area. Only touch the clean, interior surface of the remaining glove with the bare fingers.
Peel the second glove away, turning it inside-out as it comes off. This action wraps the first contaminated glove inside the second, creating a secure waste package. The final bundle should expose only the clean, interior surfaces of the gloves to the wearer’s hands, minimizing the risk of transferring contaminants.
Handling Contaminated Waste
After completing the safe removal technique, the encapsulated gloves must be disposed of correctly. Gloves used for general non-infectious tasks, such as household cleaning, can typically be discarded into regular municipal trash receptacles. The inside-out balling technique ensures this general disposal is safe for waste handlers.
Gloves exposed to infectious materials (like blood or bodily fluids) or hazardous chemicals require specialized disposal. These items are considered regulated medical waste and must be placed into designated containers, such as marked, often red, biohazard bags. Appropriate containment of the contaminated item is essential for public health safety.
Immediate Hand Hygiene
The final step after glove removal is performing rigorous hand hygiene, as gloves are not a substitute for hand washing. Even with careful technique, microscopic gaps or unseen contamination can result in pathogens transferring to the skin.
Hand washing with soap and water is the preferred method, especially when hands are visibly soiled, and should last for at least 20 seconds. The friction created by lathering soap across the palms, backs of the hands, between the fingers, and under the nails physically lifts microbes from the skin’s surface.
If soap and water are not immediately available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Cover all hand surfaces until dry. This mandatory post-removal step eliminates residual contaminants and completes the process of protecting the wearer and the environment.