Learning objectives Upon completion of this course, you will be able to discuss the importance of: ● Decontamination. ● Sanitation, disinfecting, and sterilization. Let’s take a close look and see what can be done to identify and control the professional salon environment. Things like tables, chairs, walls, and floors are very likely contaminated with a number of germs that may be very serious disease-causing germs. There may be millions of germs present that do not affect humans when contact is made. However, one case of an infected client can send your career and the reputation of your salon downward. By understanding contamination and knowing the proper techniques of decontamination, shop operators and owners can avoid ugly lawsuits and having the business they worked hard to build destroyed. It is important to understand the more people that enter the salon environment, the greater the chance that new germs will be introduced and reintroduced as a result of the human contact factor. Control over where and what people do before they get to the salon is impossible to monitor, so contamination concerns must be continuous and ongoing. Your responsibility as a professional to eliminate and control contamination is vital. Decontamination of surfaces and tools used in the salon will allow for a safe and professional experience for the client. Contamination can occur in many forms and on the surface of equipment, implements, and furnishings may not show signs of contamination. Soiled towels, combs, brushes, and even clippers can and more than likely are sources for contamination if not disinfected or sterilized properly. Sanitation and disinfection are required in the salon to provide a safe environment for clients, co-workers, employees and oneself. Sanitation is the removal of large amounts of living organisms from a surface. By sanitizing tools and other items used in the salon, bacteria and germs are eliminated or lowered to safer levels. Popular forms of sanitation are described below. ● The heat steam of an autoclave has been used for many years and has proven to be one of the most dependable forms of sanitizing.
● Use of disinfectant products. ● Using disinfectants in the salon. ● Salon professionalism.
PROFESSIONAL SALON ENVIRONMENT
● Hospital-grade disinfectants are used to sanitize surfaces and tools as well. ● Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (quats) are available in liquid or tablet form. Implements should be immersed for 20 minutes or longer to ensure elimination of germs and bacteria. ● Glutaraldehyde is a germicidal used to disinfect and sterilize implements that cannot be heat sterilized. ● Ethyl Alcohol is used as a disinfectant. In order to remain effective, the strength of ethyl alcohol should be no less than 70%. ● Bleach (sodium hypochlorite), commonly known as house hold bleach, has for many years been utilized as a disinfectant at killing germs. As a result of more advanced techniques now being used, bleach is not the preferred method for decontamination. It is, however, very effective on floors, sinks, and general cleaning around the salon. ● Ultrasonic Cleaners are used in some salons but must be used with a disinfectant. The advantage of this device is that it may reach tiny crevices that may otherwise be omitted in the cleaning and sanitizing process. ● Disinfection is also a part of operating a safe salon. Disinfection is used when objects can be damaged due to exposure to extreme heat. Disinfection kills microorganisms with the exception of spores. It is important to understand that disinfectants should never be used on clients. Note: It is important that directions are followed when using disinfectants . When directions are not followed money can be wasted. Furthermore, by not following directions properly, the product that is to be disinfected may not be if a solution is too weak. It is also important to understand that the disinfectant solution always remain at an effective level. In saying this, always remember to wash all products to be disinfected with soap and water. If you attempt to disinfect soiled implements, the solution may become too weak to do an effective job.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
chemical. The following is a break down of the sections on an M.S.D.S. report: Product information of the chemical is listed at the very start of the report. The Manufacturer’s/Distributor emergency contact number(s) along with product identity, product code number, product use, and hazard classification. ○ Section I : Is a listing of the hazardous ingredients found in the product along with specific ingredient codes. ○ Section 2 : Is the characteristics both physical and chemical of the product in general. These characteristics include but are not limited to physical state (liquid or solid), odor appearances like smell and color of product. ○ Section 3 : Is fire and explosion hazard information on the product. Usually the fire/flame point will be listed and the level of danger to which this product will burn. Also, the extinguishing procedures are listed here in case there is a need to control a chemical fire as a result of this product.
Remember that disinfectants are industrial strength cleaners that are powerful and can be harmful if used improperly. Never use a disinfectant to clean your hands. This is an unsafe practice and can cause skin disease. You should wear protective equipment such as gloves and safety goggles while mixing chemicals for disinfection control. Use soaking baskets and tongs to insert and remove equipment in disinfectant solutions. Always remember to clearly mark containers that are used for storing disinfectants. Look at the following definitions: ● Sanitation: Is the process of reducing the levels of pathogens found on a surface. While the surface may be clean, there are still many microorganisms residing on the surface. ● Material Safety Data Sheet (M.S.D.S.) : Every chemical used in the United States must have an M.S.D.S. report developed by the manufacturer that developed the chemical. The purpose of the M.S.D.S. is to report the product name, active ingredients, directions for use, and safety instructions in case of accidents involving the
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Book Code: BBGA0524
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