An employee comes to work with an infected cut on her arm. What should a manager require her to do before working?

• A. Wear gloves only
• B. Take a day off
• C. Cover the cut with a waterproof bandage
• D. Return if not contagious

Answer: (C)

When a worker has an open wound on the arm, the priority is to prevent contamination of food and surfaces. The best action is to have the employee cover the cut with a waterproof bandage before starting work. This creates a barrier that blocks any wound drainage and reduces the chance that pathogens reach food, utensils, or prep areas. Wearing gloves alone isn’t enough because the wound can still leak or the glove can tear, allowing contamination to occur. If the wound is actively draining or there are signs of infection, additional precautions may be needed, but covering the wound with a waterproof bandage is the essential first step.