Environmental Health & Safety
Glove Use Procedures
(Revised 03/14/2011)
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Glove selection should be based on an appropriate assessment. Information is available on
the EH&S Web Site at http://www.cpp.edu/~ehs/files/occupational/xls/Permrate.xls.
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Select the size of glove that fits properly. Gloves should fit over the sleeve cuff.
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Always inspect your gloves prior to using them. Look for cuts, tears, or punctures. Some
gloves may become stiff or discolored after use. Dispose of gloves that are damaged or show
signs of wear or degradation.
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Change gloves when contaminated with infectious agents, integrity has been compromised, or
when otherwise necessary. Consider wear two pairs of gloves when appropriate.
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Remove gloves prior to handling non-contaminated items (e.g. telephones) and before leaving
the area.
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Prior to glove removal:
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For chemical agents, avoid secondary chemical exposure by washing the outside of the
gloves, before removing them, with soap and water and then rinse with water.
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For infectious agents, remove gloves and wash hands when work has been completed and
before leaving the laboratory.
Carefully remove the gloves and avoid touching the outside of the gloves with your hands.
One method to prevent contamination involves pulling the first glove off with the other glove
hand and then slipping ungloved fingers underneath the cuff of the second glove and removing
it. A video showing the proper removal of soiled/contaminated gloves is available at the
following web links:
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For High Speed Connections use: http://high.video.cpp.edu/EHS/ProperGloveRemoval655.wmv
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For Medium Speed Connections use: http://mid.video.cpp.edu/EHS/ProperGloveRemoval245.wmv
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For Low Speed Connections use: http://low.video.cpp.edu/EHS/ProperGloveRemoval035.wmv
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For infectious agent use, do not wash or reuse disposable gloves. Dispose of used gloves with
other contaminated laboratory waste.
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Some gloves can be reused a number of times as long as the inside remains uncontaminated
and they are inspected prior to each use. Be sure to place gloves intended for reuse in a dry
and clean area. Some gloves will need to be discarded because the chemical they contacted
may permeate the material and reach inside the glove in such a way that the inside is
contaminated.