A common and dangerously ignored clean room rule

A common and dangerously ignored clean room rule
If you work in a clean room you know the importance of following protocol. To keep contaminants out and protect yourself from toxins, you probably use a variety of protective clothing such as work gowns and gloves. While gloves will provide good protection between you and touch, it’s important to take extra steps in safety. Do you wash your hands before and after putting on gloves?

If not, you need to start right away, and here’s why.

Latex gloves are not 100% impermeable. Contaminated gloves from your hands are likely to break the barrier. Clean hands are needed even before putting on gloves to handle the controlled area.

Glove residue can break your resistance to irritants. Gloves often contain potential allergens. Allergens rub off onto your skin, and if left there will gradually increase your sensitivity to them. As a result, you may experience an allergic reaction to the gloves. Hand sanitizer does not remove the substance – you must use soap and water to remove it completely.

Gloved hands are perfect conditions for bacterial growth. This is a no-brainer; Hands are warm and moist inside gloves. You need to clean your hands after the bacteria have had some time to breed there.

Removing gloves can have a “back spray” effect. When you remove the gloves, fluids and/or germs can slip back onto your hands, carrying them everywhere until you wash or sanitize them.