Single used gloves or disposable gloves are critical in many cases. They are convenient yet protective enough to prevent many kinds of contamination. Therefore, it is vital to be well-prepared and know how to use these gloves under the right circumstances.
When using single-use gloves you are required to follow certain steps to make sure the protective gear serves its purpose. In detail, choosing the right glove size, handwashing thoroughly, and replacing the gloves when necessary are some of the most important things to keep in mind.
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What Are the Requirements for Using Single-use Gloves?
Most of us are already aware that single use gloves are required when handling food, toxic chemicals, dirt, and other contaminants. These pairs’ applications are plentiful, but they share the same requirements for the user as follows:
- Choose the right size and materials
Whether you need food handling gloves or chemical-resistant disposable gloves, make sure to choose well-fitted pairs that provide good dexterity.
Furthermore, typical disposable glove materials for use are neoprene, nitrile, vinyl, latex, and Polyethylene. Among those, neoprene and nitrile pairs are recommended for preparing food, while latex is not the ideal choice.
- Only use the approved gloves
According to the Servsafe manager book, workers must only use gloves qualified for food service. It means the materials and properties must meet the safety certifications of the industry in which they’re used.
This regulation is pretty much the same for most fields; in fact, certified single use gloves must be worn in healthcare and laboratory work.
- Wash and dry our hands thoroughly before and after use
Hand-washing with soap and drying your hands with a clean cloth are required before wearing and after discarding your gloves.
It is always critical to ensure your own safety since single-used gloves might not entirely block the contamination, especially upon prolonged exposure.
- Always check for signs of punctures, tears, or rips
- Throw the gloves away without touching their contaminated surfaces
It is important to know how to don and pull off gloves without touching the glove’s outer surfaces. We can use our index fingers to hook the glove cuff off.
- Change the pair when necessary
As a food handler, when touching different types of raw meat or cooked foods, we should change the gloves.
It goes the same for other fields, as single use gloves should be worn in one task when dealing with one type of equipment or one patient, then be replaced for the next.
Conclusion
When using single-use gloves you are required to follow certain rules and advice. They are important to keep you, your work, and anyone else involved safe from contamination, or worse, toxic chemicals.
Also, make sure to follow the hygiene regulations, especially for washing and discarding the single-use gloves in the right place.
This is Edward Manning, the editor in chief of Construction Informer. Quite a bit of my time is spent researching the market and interviewing experts in the field so that I can give you reliable information.