General Knowledge
The single most important part of working in a salon.
Practicing proper infection control.
The less specific regulations occur at this level of government.
Federal
This step of infection control cannot happen if a surface hasn't been cleaned.
Disinfection
Most bacteria are _______; they aren't harmful to you.
Non-pathogenic
The first step of any service.
Washing your hands.
The first step of infection control; the mechanical process.
Cleaning
The definition of OSHA
Occupational and Safety Health Administration
This is never an alternative to proper hand washing if water and soap are present.
Sanitizing your hands
A common type of bacteria; grows in grape-like clusters and causes pus.
Staphylococcus
Lucas-cide and barbicide are examples of this type of disinfectant.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds/Quats
Destroys all microbial life, including spores.
Sterilization
Environmental Protection Agency
A useful piece of equipment to have, but not a legal requirement in many states.
An autoclave
Single-celled organisms that grow in irregular masses; can be highly contagious.
Fungi
This term means you've been exposed to something.
An exposure incident.
This term doesn't really mean anything to professional nail techs.
Sanitizing
These agencies and boards are found at the state and county level.
State boards, health departments, licensing agencies, etc.
This test must be completed once a month for an autoclave to be legal for use.
A spore test.
Scabies and head lice are common examples of this pathogen that are found in salons.
Parasites
A good rule regarding the area around your station while you're working.
Ensure it's clean and organized; avoid spilling product and water on the ground; pick things up immediately when they fall.
These practices require that all tools, implements, etc., be used safely at work.
Safe Work Practices
Often referred to as an "efficacy claim".
The claims about what a chemical does, how fast it happens, etc.
These should never be found in a salon as they are not legal for use in infection control.
UV sterilizers, glass bead sterilizers, baby bottle sterilizers.
EPA-registered disinfectants must meet these three standards to be used in a salon.
Bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal.
Never trust parents to do this.
Watch their children.