DOUBLE-GLOVING PROCEDURE: HOW TO PUT ON STERILE GLOVES
Double-gloving is common in the manufacturing of products that must be kept free of contamination. This is the case in aseptic environments and in controlled atmosphere areas (cleanrooms) type A or B in the pharmaceutical industry. In these areas, the risk of particulate and microbial contamination of products must be minimized.
The first reason for wearing gloves in these areas or, more generally, in cleanrooms, is therefore to avoid products’ human contamination or with particles present on PPE.
It is therefore essential to maintain the cleanliness of cleanroom environments by wearing gloves of a high level of cleanliness with a low particle content and which are long enough to cover the wrist of the suit.
Double-gloving ensures that the aseptic environment (Class A or B) is maintained by adhering to clothing procedures that require the wearing of ultra-clean sterile gloves before putting on a complete set of sterile garments, including a second pair of sterile cleanroom gloves. Disinfected bare hands may be used for putting on non-sterile garments such as bouffant caps and facemask. However as soon as we start putting on sterile garments, then it is important donning sterile gloves.
In a sterile environment, put on sterile gloves respecting step-by-step the double-gloving procedure is essential so as not to contaminate the outside of a glove by touching it.
Please note that with two different gloves-colour, it is easy to detect punctures, pinpricks etc… on the white outer-glove thanks to the bright colour of the orange under-glove. It’s also easy to remove the sterile outer glove and replace it in the cleanroom. The presence of the sterile under-glove will minimize contamination of the product.
There follows a procedure detailing the different steps of double-gloving in aseptic environments:
STEP 1: UNPACKING THE FIRST PAIR
Select the appropriate gloves and the right size. Inspect the packaging to check it is intact. Aseptically open the pouch and place the wallet on a clean dry surface at waist height. Open the wallet, handling only the outer part. Expose the gloves, while maintaining the sterile field.
STEP 2: DONNING THE FIRST PAIR
Grasp the turned-up cuff of the right glove with the left hand and insert the fingers of right hand into the right glove. Be sure to touch only the inside of the glove. Pull the right glove onto the right hand by pulling on the glove using the turned-up cuff. Ensure that the cuff remains turned up. Insert the gloved right hand into the turned-up cuff of the left glove. Insert the fingers of the left hand into the left glove. Pull the left glove onto the hand, touching only the outside of glove with the gloved right hand. Turn up the cuffs of the right and left gloves, touching only the outside of the glove with the gloved hands. Be sure to pull at least 3 cm below the rolled edge, since pulling close to the rolled edge may cause the cuff to tear.
STEP 3: UNPACKING AND DONNING THE SECOND PAIR
Prepare the second pair of gloves the same way as the first pair (see step 1). Grasp the turned-up cuff of the right glove with the left hand and insert the fingers of right hand into right glove. Be sure to touch only the inside of the glove. Pull the right glove onto the right hand by pulling on the glove using the turned-up cuff. Ensure that the cuff remains turned up. Insert the double-gloved right hand into the turned-up cuff of the left glove. Insert the fingers of the left hand into the left glove. Pull the left glove onto the hand, touching only the outside of glove with the gloved right hand. Turn up the cuffs of the right and left gloves, touching only the outside of the glove with the gloved hands. Be sure to pull at least 3 cm below the rolled edge, since pulling close to the rolled edge may cause it to tear.
Find out more information about the reasons to double-glove in cleanrooms and laboratories in our dedicated article.
Consult our glove selection guide to select the sterile glove adapted to your need.
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