What should members do immediately after removing gloves or PPE?

Washing hands immediately or as soon as feasible after removing gloves or personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, gloves and PPE are designed to protect the wearer from contaminants, but they can become contaminated during use. Simply removing them does not eliminate the risk of transferring any pathogens or hazardous substances that may be on the surface of the gloves to the hands. Therefore, hand hygiene becomes a critical step in preventing the spread of infections and ensuring personal safety.

By thoroughly washing hands after glove removal, members ensure that any potential contaminants are eliminated, enhancing overall workplace safety in emergency response settings. Hand hygiene is a fundamental practice in infection control and is particularly important in environments like fire services, where personnel frequently interact with various substances and individuals in potentially hazardous situations.

While disposing of gloves, replacing them, or ignoring hand hygiene might seem relevant in specific contexts, they do not prioritize the necessary action of maintaining cleanliness and preventing contamination, which is integral to health and safety protocols in the firefighting and emergency response profession.