Visual guide to safe PPE
Last updated: 07 July 2022 at 16:23
Your safety and the safety of others depends on more than the type of PPE that you wear. Safe removal of PPE, hand hygiene and correct principles of cleaning are essential to minimise risk of self-contamination and transmission to others.
Non-clinical or clinical areas
All staff arriving in any non-clinical or clinical area without aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) taking place.
- Decontaminate hands
- Fluid-resistant surgical mask
Contact with patients (within two metres)
Applies to all staff when having contact with patients within two metres.
- Decontaminate hands
- Visor
- Fluid-resistant surgical mask
- Apron only required when providing direct contact with a patient
- Avoid routine use of gloves
- Disposable gloves are only required when there is a risk of exposure to body fluids
Hot areas
For hot areas when having contact with patients within two metres, where AGPs are not being carried out.
- Decontaminate hands
- Visor
- FFP3 respirator (fit testing required)
- Apron only required when providing direct contact with a patient
- Avoid routine use of gloves
- Disposable gloves are only required when there is a risk of exposure to body fluids
Environment where AGPs regularly take place
When working in an environment where AGPs regularly take place (e.g. Critical Care and AGP resus).
- Decontaminate hands
- Visor
- FFP3 respirator (fit testing required)
- Apply disposable gloves when directly involved in AGPs or risk of exposure to body fluids
