Gloves for TB Lab Personnel

• Gloves are made for protecting the hands of health professionals from contaminated and infectious surfaces.
• Lab staff must wear gloves for all the procedures that involve direct or accidental contact with infectious material​​.
• Gloves are made for single-use (disposable gloves) and should not be re-used​ (see Figure 1)
• ​Gloves are made from vinyl, latex or nitrile​.
• For the staff who are allergic to latex and when performing PCR, nitrile gloves should be available ​for use.

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Figure 1: Disposable Gloves 

Do’s when using gloves 

• Staff must select and use the right kind of glove for the job they are going to perform.
  • Always use the correct size of gloves. Staff regularly need to check the fitness and size suitable for them.
  • Gloves must be resistant to the chemical used during the procedure.
• Staff must inspect their gloves before using them​.
• Before wearing gloves, staff must remove any rings, watches, or bracelets that might cut or tear the gloves.​
• If gloves are torn during a procedure, replace them immediately ​(Figure 2).

Figure 2: Torn gloves need immediate replacement

• Staff must wear double gloves when working with potentially hazardous materials in the biosafety cabinet.
• Staff must pull the gloves over the cuff of the lab gown for maximum protection.
• Staff must change the gloves: 
  • At the end of the task
  • If gloves are soiled/punctured
• Soiled gloves must be discarded in the bag provided for waste disposal. 
• Gloves guard against infection through cuts and abrasions on the hands. Cuts and abrasions must be covered with a sticking plaster and/or suitable barrier dressing at all times while in the laboratory
• Cryo gloves should be used while handling deep freezers and cotton gloves should be use while handling the autoclave

Don’ts when using gloves

• Contaminated gloves must not be used to handle or to operate equipment (e.g., microscope or telephone), that would otherwise never become contaminated.
• Staff must never wear gloves outside the laboratory.
• After wearing gloves, staff must avoid/limit touching any surface

Resources

• National Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Facilities, 2020. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

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