Disposable gloves are a common form of barrier protection used across many non-medical environments, including food preparation, cleaning, and general maintenance. Their primary function is to shield the wearer’s hands from chemicals or contaminants and prevent the transfer of microorganisms to surfaces or materials. Effective glove use depends entirely on proper technique. An incorrect process in putting them on or taking them off can lead to contact contamination, transferring unwanted substances to the skin or the environment. Understanding the correct sequence for donning, maintaining, and removing gloves is important for hygiene and safety.
Pre-Glove Preparation and Selection
Before touching a glove, thorough hand hygiene is necessary to ensure the skin is clean beneath the protective layer. Hands must be washed with soap and water or treated with an alcohol-based hand rub, ensuring they are completely dry before proceeding. Damp hands make gloves harder to put on and can promote microorganism growth within the glove’s warm, occlusive environment. Jewelry, such as rings and watches, should be removed. These items can snag the thin material and cause tears or micro-punctures that compromise the barrier integrity.
Selecting the appropriate material and size is equally important for protection and performance. Nitrile gloves are preferable for tasks involving contact with chemicals, oils, or fats, such as heavy-duty cleaning or food preparation. This material offers superior puncture resistance and a tailored fit, providing better tactile sensitivity for precise work. Vinyl gloves are less expensive and less durable, making them adequate for quick, low-risk activities requiring frequent changes.
The glove size must correspond correctly to the hand. A glove that is too tight will stretch and tear easily, while one that is too loose will impair dexterity and create folds that can harbor contaminants. A properly sized glove fits snugly across the palm and fingers without straining the material. Checking the packaging for the correct size and material compatibility is a prerequisite for successful barrier use.
Step-by-Step Guide to Donning
The physical process of putting on gloves, known as donning, must be executed carefully to avoid contaminating the outside surface. Begin by removing a single glove from the box, touching only the cuff—the rolled edge near the wrist—with the bare hand. This ensures the exterior surface remains untouched by potentially unclean hands. Place the first glove on the dominant hand, sliding the fingers in while maintaining a grip on the cuff.
The gloved hand is then used to handle the second glove. Slip the gloved fingers under the cuff of the second glove to prevent bare skin from touching the clean exterior. Pull the second glove over the remaining bare hand, using the gloved hand to adjust the fit without touching the skin. Adjust both gloves so the cuffs fully cover the wrists, creating a continuous barrier between the hand and the glove opening.
The goal is to eliminate wrinkles or slack, which reduces dexterity and increases the risk of snagging or tearing the material during the task. If the outer surface of a glove is accidentally touched by a bare hand during this process, the glove must be discarded. Hand hygiene must be repeated before donning a new pair.
Maintaining Integrity and Preventing Contamination
Once gloves are donned, the user must adhere to strict rules to maintain the protective barrier and prevent cross-contamination. The primary principle is establishing a “work zone” where gloved hands only touch items necessary for the task. Gloved hands should never be used to touch non-work surfaces, such as door handles, phones, or light switches. Touching the face, hair, clothing, or any part of the body also constitutes contamination, requiring immediate glove removal and replacement.
The barrier can be compromised by physical damage, so the user should visually inspect the gloves frequently for tears, punctures, or excessive wear. If a hole is found, or if the glove becomes noticeably soiled, it must be removed immediately. This must be followed by hand hygiene and the donning of a new pair.
Gloves are not intended for use across multiple, distinct tasks, even if they appear undamaged. For example, gloves used for cleaning a kitchen surface must be changed before beginning food preparation to prevent the transfer of cleaning chemicals or microorganisms. A new pair of gloves is needed whenever moving from a dirty task to a clean one, or when moving between contaminated areas. Failure to change gloves when necessary negates the purpose of the barrier, actively spreading contaminants instead of containing them.
The Correct Method for Safe Removal
The final step is the safe removal of the gloves, or doffing, which must be performed without contaminating the bare skin of the hands or wrists. The technique follows the principle of “glove-to-glove” contact for the first glove and “skin-to-skin” contact for the second. Begin by grasping the outside of one glove near the wrist with the other gloved hand. Peel the glove away from the wrist, pulling it down and turning it completely inside out.
The contaminated exterior is folded inward, and the glove should be held in the palm of the remaining gloved hand. To remove the second glove, slide two bare fingers under the cuff of the remaining glove, touching only the clean inner surface. Peel this second glove off, turning it inside out over the first glove to create a neat bundle with all contaminated surfaces contained on the interior. Dispose of the bundled gloves immediately in the appropriate waste receptacle, and perform hand hygiene immediately after disposal.