In our post-pandemic world, it seems like everywhere you turn, somebody is wearing gloves. But, of course, even before the pandemic, wearing gloves was a common practice in many industries. The one question that comes to mind, though, is that with all of these people suddenly wearing disposable gloves, are gloves helpful, and are people wearing and using them correctly? Of course, just like with any other kind of safety equipment, there are best practices that everybody should be following to ensure the gloves are being worn and used correctly to maximize their efficiency.

1. Always Wash Your Hands Before Wearing Disposable Gloves
Even though it may seem contradictory, washing your hands before putting on gloves is essential for maintaining adequate hand hygiene.

After all, if you don’t wash your hands before using the gloves, you run the risk of contaminating the gloves’ surfaces if you mistakenly contact them with your bare hands afterward. In addition, if the gloves rupture for any reason, you run the risk of spreading infections.

When washing your hands, make sure you follow the handwashing techniques set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

● Use clean water to wet your hands. It can be warm or cold tap water.

● Apply some soap to your wet hands. Rub them together to create a nice rich lather. Make sure to get in between each finger, under your nails, and the back of your hands.

● Continue rubbing your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with clean water.

● Dry your hands with a paper towel or allow them to air dry.

2. Inspect Gloves Closely for Any Imperfections
Before you begin wearing your gloves, could you give them a thorough inspection? Can you find any pinholes? Are there any signs of cracking or discoloration?Immediately toss out those disposable gloves if you come across any of these signs and replace them with another pair.

3. Never Wear Gloves That Are Starting to Deteriorate
If you see any indications of degeneration, it’s time to replace your gloves with a new set. Another rule you should always follow is that the more disposable gloves you use, the better the results. This rule is saying to change your gloves frequently or whenever you question their ability to protect you. In the realm of glove safety, less is not always more.

4. Never Wear Gloves That Are Too Big or Too Small
Aside from the quality of a glove, the size of the disposable gloves you wear is also very significant, especially when working with sharp objects.

Unless your gloves are customized to match the size of your hands, the level of protection they provide you might be jeopardized. The reason why is because loose gloves can get caught on things, resulting in tears or rips. They also don’t fit correctly around the wrist, so you run the risk of them falling off.

Gloves too small fit too tightly and won’t allow you to move your hands as you normally would. Additionally, you may have hand fatigue, your gloves may come loose, and the level of protection they are designed to give may be compromised.

It’s preferable to find a pair of gloves that are as near to your hand as possible without being too tight. You want to be comfortable while having a close fit.

5. Change Gloves Often and Wash Your Hands in Between
Disposable gloves are made to be thrown away. They are intended for one-time use only. They are not intended to be reused. If you’re in question, get another pair of gloves and put them on. Always make sure you are washing your hands following the CDC’s guidelines between each glove change. You should never put a pair of new gloves on without first washing your hands.