Gloves

Gloves must be worn any time an employee's hands might come into contact with blood, other potentially infectious materials, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin. Employees must also wear gloves if they are accessing veins or arteries in any way, or handling or touching contaminated items or surfaces.

There is one exception to this rule: sometimes, wearing gloves is not necessary for all phlebotomies in blood donation centers. If the employer at a blood donation center decides that employees do not need to wear gloves for some procedures, the employer must still follow certain rules to maintain this exception. Employers must:

• Periodically reevaluate the policy
• Make gloves available for any employees who want to use them
• Not discourage the use of gloves
• Require that gloves always be worn under the following circumstances:
  • If the employee has cuts, scratches, or any other broken skin on his or her hands
  • If the employee's bare hands may have become contaminated
  • If the employee is currently receiving training in phlebotomy

Employees must replace disposable gloves as soon as practical after they become contaminated, or as soon as possible after the gloves become torn or punctured or stop being an effective barrier. Single-use, disposable gloves may not be washed or decontaminated for reuse. Multi-use gloves may be washed and decontaminated for reuse as long as the integrity of the glove is maintained. Gloves must be discarded once they begin to deteriorate in any way, including any cracks, tears, or punctures.

To learn more about Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens visit our Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Online Training web page.