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Activity 001: PPE Donning, Doffing, and Cross-Contamination Drill

Activity ID: U2M2-ACT-001 Duration: 30 minutes Objective: Students will practice correct PPE donning/doffing procedures and demonstrate awareness of cross-contamination pathways using a UV-fluorescent tracer. Group Size: 2-3 students per station Materials Cost: ~$5 (UV tracer powder/lotion, reusable UV flashlight)

Overview

Students practice the complete PPE donning and doffing sequence used in resin printing. A UV-fluorescent tracer (Glo Germ or similar) simulates uncured resin contamination. After a simulated work session, a UV flashlight reveals any contamination transfer, making invisible cross-contamination pathways dramatically visible.

Materials & Equipment Needed

  • Nitrile gloves (3-4 pairs per student)
  • UV-blocking safety glasses (one per student)
  • Lab coat or apron (one per student)
  • UV-fluorescent tracer lotion or powder (Glo Germ or equivalent)
  • UV flashlight (395-405nm, one per group)
  • Empty resin bottles (cleaned, for practice pouring)
  • Paper towels
  • Soap and water access (handwashing station)
  • Practice worksheet/checklist

Instructions & Procedure

Phase 1: PPE Donning Sequence (5 min) 1. Instructor demonstrates the correct donning order: (1) lab coat/apron, (2) safety glasses, (3) nitrile gloves (last, over cuffs if possible) 2. Each student practices donning in the correct sequence 3. Partner checks: glasses sit flush, gloves have no tears, coat cuffs are under glove wrists 4. Instructor explains WHY this order matters: gloves go on last because they are the first thing contaminated and need to be changed most often

Phase 2: Simulated Resin Work with Tracer (10 min) 5. Apply UV-fluorescent tracer lotion to the outside of students' gloves — this simulates resin contamination 6. Students perform simulated resin tasks with contaminated gloves: - "Pour resin" from an empty practice bottle into a practice vat - Pick up a "printed part" (any small object) - Place it in a "wash container" - Touch the printer's "touchscreen" (a piece of paper taped to the table) - Open and close a door handle 7. INTENTIONALLY create a cross-contamination scenario: instruct students to check their phone (with contaminated gloves) 8. Halfway through, instruct students to change gloves using proper doffing technique, then put on fresh gloves

Phase 3: Contamination Reveal (10 min) 9. Students remove all PPE using proper doffing sequence 10. Dim the room lights 11. Use the UV flashlight to illuminate: - Students' bare hands — any glow indicates doffing failure - Phone screens — expect bright contamination - Door handles — shared contamination pathway - The practice "touchscreen" paper - Lab coat sleeves and front - Safety glasses frames - Any other surfaces students touched 12. Photograph or document all contamination sites found 13. Each student rates their own contamination level: Clean (no glow), Minor (1-2 spots), Moderate (multiple areas), Severe (widespread)

Phase 4: Debrief and Correct Procedure (5 min) 14. Discuss: Where did contamination appear that students did NOT expect? 15. Instructor demonstrates correct doffing technique one more time, emphasizing: - Pinch outside of glove at wrist - Peel inside-out - Bare finger slides UNDER second glove - Second glove encapsulates first - Immediate handwashing 16. Students practice doffing one more time and re-check with UV light 17. Wash all contaminated surfaces and hands thoroughly with soap and water

Discussion Points

  • How many surfaces became contaminated from a single pair of gloves?
  • Was anyone surprised by where contamination appeared?
  • How would this translate to real resin exposure over days and weeks?
  • What is the most effective single action to prevent cross-contamination?

Expected Outcomes

  • Most students will have UV tracer on their bare hands after first doffing attempt (indicating technique needs practice)
  • Phone screens will be heavily contaminated (most dramatic result)
  • Students should achieve clean or near-clean hands on their second doffing attempt
  • The visual impact of seeing invisible contamination under UV light creates lasting behavioral change

Assessment Rubric

Criterion Excellent (5) Proficient (3) Needs Improvement (1)
Donning Sequence Correct order every time, partner-verified Correct order with minor fumbling Incorrect order or skipped steps
Doffing Technique No UV tracer on bare hands after doffing Minor tracer (1-2 small spots) on hands Significant tracer contamination on hands
Cross-Contamination Awareness Identified 4+ contamination transfer points Identified 2-3 transfer points Identified 0-1 transfer points
Corrective Behavior Second attempt showed marked improvement, clean hands Some improvement on second attempt No significant improvement

Safety Considerations

  • UV-fluorescent tracer products are non-toxic and skin-safe, but avoid eye contact
  • The UV flashlight (395-405nm) can cause eye discomfort — do not shine directly into eyes
  • This activity uses NO actual resin — it is a simulation drill
  • Ensure handwashing station has soap and warm water available

Last Updated: 2026-03-19