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Uses of Sterile Rubber Gloves

Sterile rubber gloves may be thrown away after a single use, but they are indispensable for several different industries. Malaysia is by far the biggest manufacturer of rubber gloves, according to a report on The Star website, cornering 60 percent of the latex glove market on its own. Latex is a natural rubber used in sterile gloves, but synthetic rubber is another option.

  1. Medical and Health

    • People working in the medical field and healthcare industry regularly use sterile rubber gloves. Sterile gloves are imperative during surgeries and other invasive procedures where keeping an area free of germs and cross-contamination is a major concern, according to the University of Nottingham. Doctors, nurses, dentists, nursing home employees, veterinarians and other healthcare and medical workers wear them during surgeries and patient exams and while handling specimens and equipment. The gloves protect patients and equipment from germs and protect the workers from any blood borne pathogens that may be present in saliva, urine, blood and other bodily fluids.

      Even if non-sterile rubber gloves are sufficient in some circumstances, such as routine exams, the Best Bets Topics website notes it may be unethical to switch to non-sterile gloves for procedures that traditionally used sterile gloves, such as stitches or routine exams.

    Tattoos and Piercings

    • Tattoo artists, piercers and others working in tattoo and piercing studios also regularly wear sterile rubber gloves. Their reasons are the same as those in the healthcare field. Sterile rubber gloves protect the clients and sterilized equipment from germs and the artists and piercers from coming in contact with blood borne pathogens. Equipment that needs to stay germ-free includes tattoo machines and tubes, needles and the jewelry used in the piercings.

    Laboratories

    • Laboratory workers wear sterile rubber gloves to keep the equipment and specimens free from germs and cross contamination. Sterile rubber gloves also ensure the workers do not come in contact with harmful or caustic specimens or those carrying diseases or pathogens.

    Other

    • Sterile rubber gloves are also an option for a number of uses where non-sterile rubber gloves are acceptable, according to the How to Select the Right Glove article on the Plastex Protective Products website. These include handling food, working in nursing homes, handling small parts in factory work and airport security.

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