Guidance

Personal protective equipment use for AGPs

Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs).

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 10 January 2020
• Last updated: 18 December 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 18 December 2025

     Added poster and text instructions for hand wipes.

  2. 17 December 2025

     Posters have been updated to remove mention of COVID-19, so these can be used more broadly for all AGPs. Hand-hygiene posters have been added.

  3. 27 May 2022

     Added link to NHSE National infection prevention and control manual.

  4. 21 August 2020

     Updated headings on instruction sheets, in line with the written guidance, to include airborne precautions.

  5. 8 June 2020

     Added video for donning and doffing PPE when using coveralls instead of gowns.

  6. 10 April 2020

     Added 2 new guides for coveralls; other guides updated with 'gown version'.

  7. 24 March 2020

     Two videos added for donning and doffing personal protective equipment.

  8. 10 January 2020

     First published.

Documents

Putting on (donning) (gown version) personal protective equipment (PPE) for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) (printable version)

Ref: GOV-20048

PDF, 1.55 MB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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Putting on (donning) (gown version) personal protective equipment (PPE) for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs)

HTML

Removal of (doffing) (gown version) personal protective equipment (PPE). Airborne precautions for AGPs (printable version)

Ref: GOV-20048

PDF, 1.29 MB, 1 page

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Removal of (doffing) (gown version) personal protective equipment (PPE). Airborne precautions for AGPs

HTML

Putting on (donning) personal protective equipment (PPE) including coveralls for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) (printable version)

Ref: GOV-20048

PDF, 452 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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Putting on (donning) personal protective equipment (PPE) including coveralls for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs)

HTML

Removing (doffing) personal protective equipment (PPE) including coveralls for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) (printable version)

Ref: GOV-20048

PDF, 616 KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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Removing (doffing) personal protective equipment (PPE) including coveralls for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs)

HTML

Best practice: how to hand wash (printable version)

Ref: GOV-20048

PDF, 569 KB, 1 page

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Best practice: how to hand wash

HTML

Best practice: how to handrub (printable version)

Ref: GOV-20048

PDF, 452 KB, 1 page

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Best practice: how to handrub

HTML

Antimicrobial hand wipes: instructions for use

Ref: GOV-20078

PDF, 727 KB, 1 page

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@ukhsa.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Antimicrobial hand wipes: instructions for use

HTML

Details

This guidance covers the donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) of personal protective equipment (PPE) for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) – for airborne precautions.

It also covers best practice for hand hygiene.

Guidance on donning and doffing PPE for non-aerosol generating procedures is also available.

Also refer to NHSE National infection prevention and control manual

Video 1 shows how to safely don (put on) PPE specific to COVID-19 for AGPs and should be used in conjunction with the quick guide to donning PPE and local policies. This video features a long-sleeved fluid repellent gown. See video 3 for donning and doffing coveralls if a long-sleeved fluid repellent gown is not available.

Video

Video 2 shows how to safely doff (take off) PPE specific to COVID-19 for AGPs and should be used in conjunction with the quick guide to doffing PPE and local policies. This video features a long sleeved fluid repellent gown.

Video

Video 3 shows how to safely don (put on) and doff (take off) PPE specific to COVID-19 for AGPs using a coverall as an alternative when a long sleeved fluid repellent gown is not available. It should be used in conjunction with the quick guides to donning and doffing PPE (coverall versions) and local policies.

Video

Please note that this guidance is of a general nature and that an employer should consider the specific conditions of each individual place of work and comply with all applicable legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.