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Gloves should be changed as soon as possible when soiled or if torn or punctured.  Gloves must be removed when they become contaminated or before you leave the work area.

You must always change gloves between contact with people.

In order to prevent exposure to any infectious materials that might be on the gloves, it is important that you remove gloves correctly.  You do not want your fingers to touch the outside of the gloves at any time.

The steps for safety removing gloves are illustrated below.

STEP 1

With both hands gloved, peel off one glove starting from your wrist and continuing over your fingers.  Hold the inside out glove that has been removed in your gloved hand. 

STEP 2

Use the inside out portion of the glove you just removed to peel off the second glove.  Both gloves should be inside out when they are removed.  This will prevent exposure to blood and other possibly infectious materials on the gloves.

STEP 3

Tuck the first glove inside the second.  Dispose of the entire bundle properly.  Gloves must never be reused.

If not contaminated with blood or other possibly infectious materials, dirty gloves can be placed in the regular trash. 

In some areas, special containers are available.  The special containers are in place to protect people who might harm themselves with the gloves.

NOTE: Gloves should be disposed of in cans for contaminated trash (in red bags) if soiled with blood or other potentially infectious materials. 

STEP 4

Wash your hands thoroughly.

NOTE:  If you have an allergy to latex gloves or to the powder in the gloves, ask your supervisor for nonallergenic gloves.