How to Change Out a Glove That Has a Hole in it After Contamination

The containment gloves may become damaged while working in the containment. The damage may be noticed as soon as it occurs, but a small punch-type tear or cut could occur without the wearer being aware of it. For this reason, it is important to inspect the gloves before using them. It is also essential to discuss at the pre-job meeting the actions that will be taken if a glove is damaged while it is in use and how a damaged glove will be replaced so that everyone will understand what to do should this occur.

The most important factor to consider is preventing contamination of the glove wearer through the damaged glove and spread of contamination when replacing the glove. To accomplish this, replacement of the damaged glove should not be attempted alone by the worker whose glove is damaged. It is also critical to ensure the new glove is properly oriented when it is being installed. This step is the easiest to miss in methods where the glove is installed inside out, then inverted after installation. The method used may vary depending on factors such as level of contamination, severity of damage, injury to personnel, etc.

Three methods of replacing damaged gloves while working in containment follow:

1.) Pull the damaged glove hand up and out until the glove is in the sleeve. Carefully remove your hand from the glove, leaving the glove inside the sleeve. Remove the tape and/or rubber ring from the glove ring. Carefully roll the damaged glove cuff lip away from the sleeve to expose the center of the glove ring.

2.) Place the replacement glove cuff lip over the glove ring. Secure the glove in place with tape (or by reinstalling the rubber ring, if used.) Take care not to catch the damaged glove between the new glove and the glove ring when taping down the new glove.

3.) With the replacement gloves in place, and working through the replacement glove, cautiously roll or lift the damaged glove cuff lip over the end of the glove ring. Pull the damaged glove free and draw it into the glovebag for transfer sleeve removal.

See diagrams of the above methods here.