“Hand washing was less likely to occur with activities in which gloves were worn.” A 2010 study in the same journal concludes, “Glove use can create a false sense of security, resulting in more high-risk behaviors that can lead to cross-contamination when employees are not adequately trained.” Also in the report: “Occlusion [trapping of liquid]of the skin during long-term glove use in food operations creates the warm, moist conditions necessary for microbial proliferation and can increase pathogen transfer onto foods through leaks or exposed skin or during glove removal.” In other words, just wearing gloves can create dangerous conditions.
Remember, gloves can spread contamination just like hands can. They
must be changed whenever they become contaminated, and hands must be washed when
gloves are changed.
Microorganisms
from a gloved hand that touched a refrigerator door handle.
