Frequently Asked Question - Cleanroom Section

      Cleanroom Changing Zones

The garments used in the cleanroom are put on in this area. Several methods can be used but the following is suggested. This uses a method assumes that a facemask, hood, coverall and overboots are used, but it can be adapted for use with a cap, gown and overshoes. It requires that the garments are put on from the top down.

1.  The garments to be worn are selected. If a fresh garment is used, then it should be checked for size and the packaging checked to ensure that it is free from tears and faulty heat seals. The packaging is then opened.

2.  A facemask and hood (or cap) is put on. It appears to make little difference whether the mask is put under, or over, the hood. Choose which method is the most comfortable. If a hood is put on, the hair must be tucked in and the studs (snaps) or ties at the back of the hood adjusted for comfort.

3.  If a hand washing system is installed in this area then the hands should now be washed (and disinfected if required). This is possibly the best time for personnel to wash their hands as clean garments will now be handled and contaminated parts of the body, such as the hair and face, should not be touched again.

4.  Temporary gloves known as 'donning gloves' are sometimes used to prevent the outside of the cleanroom garment being contaminated. Use of these gloves is confined to the higher quality of cleanroom. These should, if required, be put on.

5.  The coverall (or gown) should be removed from its packaging and unfolded without touching the floor. It is sometimes possible to get the cleanroom laundry to fold the garment in a way that will minimise both the chance of the garment touching the floor and the outside surface being contaminated by the personnel's hands. If this is not done, then the following can be considered.

If a coverall is used, it should be removed from its packing and allowed to unfold without touching the floor. It should be unzipped and turned so that the zip is to the side away from the person.

There are now several methods of putting on the garment to ensure that it does not touch the floor. These are as follows:

• The coverall can be gathered together at the 4 corners i.e. the two wrists and the two ankles. It should then be possible to put first one leg and then the other into the garment without the trouser legs touching the floor.
• The garment can be held in the inside at waist level, some of the material gathered up and one leg and then the other put in to the trouser legs. The top of the coverall can then be slipped over the shoulders.
• The left cuff and left zipper can be taken in the left hand and the right zipper and right cuff taken in the right hand. The coverall can then be gathered up at the waist and one leg placed into the garment, and then the other leg placed into the other garment leg. By releasing one cuff at a time, first one arm and then the other can be placed into the garment.

The last two methods will work better if the trouser legs are folded back on themselves so that they are shorter and less likely to touch the floor. The garment should then be zipped all the way up to the top, ensuring that all of the hood (if used) is tucked under the collar. A mirror is useful at this stage. If the garment has press studs (snaps) at the ankles and wrists, then these should be snapped shut.