Glove Use

Gloves shall be worn when it is anticipated that hands will come into contact with mucous membranes, broken skin, tissue, blood, bodily fluids, secretions, excretions, contaminated equipment or environmental surfaces. Gloves are mandatory when disinfecting and isolation room/equipment in an isolation room. All gloves are single use:

Procedure:

• Employees must follow proper hand hygiene before applying AND after removing gloves.
• Gloves shall be removed as directed by Public Health and training that has been provided.
• Gloves will be discarded in the appropriate bin
• Employees must sanitize their hands (hand washing or sanitizer) immediately after removing their gloves.

To reduce hand irritation related to gloves:

• Wear gloves for as short a time as possible
• Ensure that hands are clean and dry before wearing gloves
• Ensure gloves are intact, clean and dry inside
• Gloves are single use only, and must be task specific such as for diaper changes

Gloves when Cleaning/Disinfecting

Preparing the disinfecting product will be performed by one employee each morning. The Employee will ensure that appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is worn when preparing the disinfecting solution including, mask, eye protection and gloves.

Covering Your Cough

Germs, such as influenza and cold viruses, are spread by coughing and/or sneezing. When you cough or sneeze on your hands, your hands carry and spread these germs. Keep your distance (preferably more than 2 metres/6 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing. Follow these steps to stop the spread of germs:

• If you have a tissue, cover your mouth and nose when you cough, sneeze or blow your nose
• Put used tissues in the garbage
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not in your hands
• Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer (70-90% alcohol-based) regularly and after using a tissue on yourself or others.

Definitions

Hand Hygiene is a general term referring to any action of hand cleaning. Hand hygiene relates to the removal of visible soil and removal or killing of transient microorganisms from the hands. Hand hygiene may be accomplished using soap and running water or a hand sanitizer (70-90% alcohol based). Hand washing with soap and running water must be performed when hands are visibly soiled.

Policy and Procedure Review

This policy and procedure will be reviewed and signed off by all employees before commencing employment and at any time where a change is required.

Updated: 2023/Jan/06