Cleanroom gowning: the routine every new operator learns first.
People are the largest source of particles in a cleanroom. Gowning is how a fab keeps them in.
In brief
- Garments go on top to bottom, so nothing falls onto what is already clean.
- The routine is the same every time, including the fifth entry of the day.
- Gowning protects the product and, in some areas, the person.
- New operators practise it before they touch a tool.
Every site writes its own procedure, and yours governs. The sequence below is typical.
- 1Prepare. Personal items out, shoes cleaned on the sticky mat.
- 2Hair cover. Every strand inside the cap.
- 3Face mask. Over nose and mouth.
- 4Hood. Tucked in at the neck.
- 5Coverall. Top first, never touching the floor.
- 6Boots. Coverall legs tucked inside.
- 7Gloves. Over the coverall cuffs.
- 8Glasses and check. Safety glasses on, mirror check, air shower.
Why the order matters
Each layer covers the one before it. The hood goes over the hair cover; the coverall collar goes over the hood; boots go over the coverall legs; gloves go over the cuffs. Change the order and a gap opens where particles escape.
Habits that separate a good operator
- Garments never touch the floor while dressing.
- No make-up, no paper, no personal items inside.
- Slow, deliberate movement on the floor.
- Torn glove or open seam? Leave and re-gown.
Where it fits in onboarding
Gowning is one of the first things a new operator is trained and checked on, alongside safety and procedure discipline. In our First-Crew Programme, cleanroom readiness is trained by partner institutes before joining, so the first week on site is spent on the tools.