If an employee is wearing gloves and needs to wash their hands, what should they do?

When an employee is wearing gloves and needs to wash their hands, the correct action is to remove the glove, wash the hands thoroughly, and then put on a new pair of gloves. This practice is essential for maintaining proper hygiene and food safety.

Washing gloved hands does not effectively eliminate contaminants, as gloves can have microtears or can be contaminated on the outside during the removal of food items or when touching surfaces. By removing the gloves and washing hands, the employee ensures that any potential pathogens or dirt are completely cleansed from their skin. After washing, putting on new gloves helps maintain a barrier against contamination when handling food again.

This practice emphasizes the importance of hand hygiene in food safety protocols, ensuring that any germs that could be transferred to food are managed properly.