In any cleanroom contamination control strategy, the gowning protocol is one of the most critical foundations.
Humans are the largest source of particle generation in a cleanroom, and following proper gowning procedures can significantly reduce the risk of contamination.
Depending on the ISO Class of the cleanroom, gowning requirements may vary. However, there are fundamental best practices that every facility should apply to ensure effective control of both particulates and microorganisms.
1️⃣ Conduct Regular Gowning Protocol Training
This might seem obvious, but it has the most impact.
Operators can forget up to 70–90% of information within a few days without regular reinforcement.
👉 Schedule periodic training sessions that include interactive demonstrations, quick tests, and real-world examples to help your staff retain critical gowning knowledge.
2️⃣ Keep Footwear Spotless
Regardless of your cleanroom classification, shoe covers or booties are mandatory.
Ensure that personnel clean their shoes using a shoe cleaner or sticky mats before entering the gowning area, and only then put on booties or protective boots.
For higher ISO classes, operators should wear integrated boots with coveralls to minimize the risk of contamination from footwear.
3️⃣ Follow the Top-Down Gowning Principle
A simple but essential rule: always gown from head to toe.
If you start from the bottom, hair or skin particles from your head could fall onto the protective suit — defeating its purpose.
4️⃣ Wear Bouffant Caps Properly
Your cap should completely cover the hair and ears, starting from the forehead and pulling backward.
Personnel with long hair should tie it up securely inside the cap.
Don’t forget the nape of the neck, a commonly missed spot that can easily shed particles.
5️⃣ Double-Check Proper Sizing
Ill-fitting gowns, boots, or coveralls can expose skin and increase the risk of shedding particles.
Ensure every operator is assigned the correct size, with extra sizes always available when needed.
6️⃣ Use Scissors to Open Sterile Packaging
When opening sterile gowning materials, never tear bags by hand.
Instead, use clean scissors for a smooth cut — this reduces particle generation and maintains the sterility of the contents.
7️⃣ Wear Face Masks Correctly
Face masks must fully cover both the nose and mouth.
Even experienced personnel should regularly check themselves in a mirror to ensure the mask remains properly positioned during operation.
8️⃣ Handle and Wear Gloves Carefully
When putting on gloves, only touch the gauntlet area to avoid contaminating the palms or fingers.
Secure the glove cuffs to sleeves using approved tape to prevent particle entry and maintain a tight seal.
9️⃣ Use Benches to Separate Clean and Dirty Zones
Your gowning area should include a bench or visual marker to distinguish the “dirty zone” from the “clean zone.”
Personnel should sit while putting on coveralls and boots to prevent sterile materials from contacting the floor — a major contamination source.
🔟 Use Mirrors or the Buddy System
Provide full-length mirrors so personnel can inspect their attire before entering the cleanroom.
If mirrors aren’t available, implement the buddy system, where team members check each other’s gowning.
Is Your Cleanroom as Clean as You Think?
Even when strict gowning procedures are followed, airborne particles can still enter from unexpected sources.
That’s why an airborne particle counter is an essential part of your contamination control strategy.
A reliable monitoring system provides early warnings of abnormal conditions, allowing you to respond quickly and reduce the risk of yield loss or non-compliance.
👉 If you’re unsure whether your current system meets ISO and GMP standards, contact Gera Hi-tech Vietnam.
Our experts will help you select the right particle counting and cleanroom monitoring solutions for your facility.
Gera Hi-tech Vietnam – Comprehensive Cleanroom Monitoring Solutions
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Lighthouse Airborne Particle Counters
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📞 Hotline: 0961 152 844
🌐 Website: gerahitech.vn
