What should food handlers do if they have an open wound on their hands?

Food handlers encountering an open wound on their hands must prioritize food safety and public health. Covering the wound with a waterproof bandage and wearing gloves is the correct procedure. This method ensures that the wound is protected from any potential contamination while also preventing any pathogens from the wound from transferring to food.

When gloves are worn over a properly bandaged wound, it creates an additional layer of protection, which is crucial in maintaining safe food handling practices. This approach helps to uphold hygiene standards in food preparation environments, significantly reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensuring the safety of the food served to consumers.

Choosing to leave work until healed or handling food with bare hands would not adequately address the risk of contamination, and ignoring the wound would be negligent in following food safety protocols. Thus, covering the wound and wearing gloves is the most responsible and effective choice for food handlers.