Skip To Content

Site Logo

National Infection Prevention and Control Manual

National Infection Prevention and Control Manual

Appendix 6 - Best Practice - Putting On and Removing PPE

  • Home
  • Appendices
  • Appendix 6 - Best Practice - Putting On and Removing PPE

Step by step images for putting on and removing PPE

Use safe work practices to protect yourself and limit the spread of infection

  • Keep hands away from face and PPE being worn.
  • Change gloves when torn or heavily contaminated.
  • Limit surfaces touched in the patient environment.
  • Regularly perform hand hygiene.
  • Always clean hands after removing gloves.

The type of PPE used will vary based on the type of exposure anticipated, and not all items of PPE will be required.

NB Masks and goggles are not routinely recommended for contact precautions. Consider the use of these under standard infection control precautions or if there are other routes of transmission.

Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Perform hand hygiene before putting on PPE. The order for putting on PPE is Apron or Gown, Surgical Mask, Eye Protection (where required) and Gloves.

Apron - Pull over head and fasten at back of waist.Gown/Fluid repellent coverall - Fully cover torso neck to knees, arms to end wrist and wrap aroundthe back. Fasten at the back.Surgical mask (or respirator) - Secure ties or elastic bands at middleof head and neck.Fit flexible band to nose bridge.Fit snug to face and below chin.Fit/check respirator if being worn.Eye Protection (Goggles/Face Shield) - Place over face and eyes and adjust to fit.Gloves - Select according to hand size.Extend to cover wrist.

Removing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

The order for removing PPE is Gloves, Apron or Gown, Eye Protection, Surgical Mask.

Outside of gloves are contaminated. Grasp the outside of the glove with the opposite gloved hand; peel off.Hold the removed glove in the gloved hand. Slide the fingers of the ungloved handunder the remained glove at the wrist. Peel the second glove off over the first glove. Discard into an appropriate lined waste bin.Apron - Apron front is contaminated. Unfasten or break ties.Pull apron away from neck and shoulders touching inside only. Fold and roll into a bundle. Disacard into an appropriate lined waste bin.Gown/Fluid repellent coverallGown/Fluid repellent coverall front and sleeves are contaminated.Unfasten neck, then waist ties.Remove using a peeling motion; pull gown/fluid repellent coverall fromeach shoulder towards the same hand.Gown/fluid repellent coverall will turn inside out. Hold removed gown/fluid repellent coverall away from body, roll into a bundle and discard into an appropriatelined waste bin or linen receptacle.

  • Perform hand hygiene immediately on removal.
  • All PPE should be removed before leaving the area and disposed of as healthcare waste.

National Infection Prevention and Contol Manual

© National Services Scotland