However, personal preference is not justification for special ordering of personal protective equipment. Gloves Gloves are to be worn by all employees when directly handling potentially infectious material or when in contact with contaminated surfaces. Vinyl examination gloves, surgical latex, or nitrile gloves may be chosen by the employee based on individual need. Gloves are to be changed routinely and rigorous handwashing policies established in laboratory areas. Employees must inspect gloves routinely and replace them whenever they are visibly soiled, tom, or punctured.
Hands are to be washed when gloves are changed or removed on completion of work.
Other Protective Garments Laboratory coats, gowns, aprons, or suits, whichever is most appropriate for the particular application, are to be wom by all personnel manipulating or otherwise handling infectious or potentially infectious materials. T hese garments are not to be worn outside of the laboratory area . Disposable protective garments are not to be reused. These items are to be discarded in the MPW stream as described in the NIH Waste Calendar . Cloth laboratory coats are not to be taken home by the employee for laundering.