When should disposable gloves be changed?

• A. Every hour, regardless of conditions.
• B. Only when torn.
• C. After finishing the shift.
• D. After handling raw chicken, after any contamination, after using the restroom, or when torn.

Answer: (D)

Gloves act as a barrier to prevent cross-contamination between hands, food, and surfaces, so they must be changed anytime that barrier could be compromised or a new task with different hazards begins. After handling raw chicken, the gloves can pick up bacteria that could contaminate ready-to-eat foods if not changed. If gloves become contaminated or touch dirty surfaces, they should be replaced to prevent transferring germs. After using the restroom, gloves may carry germs from hands, so changing them helps keep food safe. And when gloves are torn or punctured, they no longer protect properly and must be changed immediately. Always wash hands before putting on new gloves and between different tasks to maintain proper hygiene.

Waiting until the end of the shift, changing only when torn, or changing on a fixed hourly schedule regardless of conditions doesn’t address the real contamination risks and can allow pathogens to spread.