Personal protective equipment
PPE provides a barrier when exposure cannot be adequately controlled in another way.
What PPE is for
Personal protective equipment — gloves, gowns or aprons, masks and eye protection — puts a barrier between you and blood, body fluids, chemicals or respiratory droplets. It is the last line of defence, used alongside hand hygiene and cleaning, never instead of them.
Choosing the right PPE
Choose PPE for the task, not the person. Ask: could my hands touch blood, body fluids, broken skin or mucous membranes? Could my clothes get wet or soiled? Could fluid splash towards my face? Is someone coughing or under transmission-based precautions?
Gloves for contact with body fluids or contaminated items; an apron or gown when clothing could be contaminated; a surgical mask and eye protection for splash risks; and the mask type your workplace specifies when caring for someone with a respiratory infection.
Putting on and taking off
Put PPE on in a clean area before you start: hand hygiene, gown or apron, mask, eye protection, then gloves last so they cover the gown cuffs.
Taking PPE off is when most self-contamination happens. Remove gloves first, then clean your hands; remove the gown or apron by touching only the inside; remove eye protection and then the mask by the ties or ear loops, without touching the front. Finish with hand hygiene.
Key points
Select PPE after assessing the task and likely exposure.
Put on gown, mask, eye protection, then gloves where all are required.
Remove PPE carefully to avoid touching contaminated surfaces, then clean your hands.
Assess the task
Put PPE on in a clean area
Remove safely and perform hand hygiene
In disability support
Disability support
When supporting personal care in a client's home, bring enough PPE for the whole visit and a bag to take used items away if there's no suitable bin.
Common mistakes
- Wearing the same gloves between tasks or people.
- Touching your face, phone or hair while wearing gloves.
- Pulling a mask down under the chin and then back up again.
On the job
Follow your workplace procedures, product instructions and supervisor guidance. If you are unsure, stop and ask before continuing the task.
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Disability Support
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