Which is the appropriate way to wear gloves and footwear when arms may be raised or lowered frequently?

• A. Wear gloves with a cuff closed tightly outside sleeve and wear your pant legs outside your boots
• B. Wear gloves inside your sleeve and tuck pant legs into boots
• C. Wear no gloves and roll sleeves
• D. Wear gloves under your lab coat

Answer: (A)

Maintaining a continuous barrier is crucial when arms are moving a lot. Wearing gloves with the cuff closed tightly outside the sleeve keeps the glove edge from sliding into the sleeve as you raise or lower your arms, so skin stays protected and contaminants stay on the glove. Keeping pant legs outside the boots prevents fabric from being pulled into the boot or riding up and around your leg, which helps prevent contamination from splashes and keeps footwear clean and effective as a protective barrier. In contrast, gloves inside the sleeve can slip and expose skin, rolling sleeves removes a layer of protection, no gloves eliminates protection entirely, and gloves under a lab coat can allow the cuffs to ride up and fail to cover the forearms.