○ Store all disinfected tools in a clean, covered area. Only use ultraviolet (UV) sanitizing boxes to store clean and disinfected reusable metal tools. The UV boxes do not disinfect tools.
○ Disinfect foot basins and spas after each client and at the end of the day to prevent exposure to workers and other clients. Follow state board rules on how to clean and disinfect foot basins and spas.
STANDARD PRECAUTIONS
In 1996, the CDC combined universal precautions with isolation measures and transmission protections to develop standard precautions to prevent infection from exposure to bodily fluids in the workplace. Hand hygiene The CDC Standard Precautions for hand hygiene are as follow (CDC,2022): ● Key times for hand washing when you are likely to get and spread germs: ○ Before, during, and after preparing food. ○ Before and after eating food. ○ Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea. ○ Before and after treating a cut or wound. ○ After using the toilet. ○ After changing. Diapers or cleaning a child who has used the toilet. ○ After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. ○ After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste. ○ After handling pet food or pet treats. ○ After touching garbage. Follow five steps to wash your hands the right way Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can help stop germs from spreading from one person to another and in our communities including your home, workplace, schools, and childcare facilities. Cough etiquette The CDC provides the following recommendations to prevent transfer of pathogens through airborne droplets (CDC,2020): Covering coughs and sneezes and keeping hands clean can help prevent the spread of serious respiratory illnesses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and COVID-19. Germs can be easily spread by: ○ Coughing, sneezing, or talking. ○ Touching your face with unwashed hands after touching contaminated surfaces or objects. ○ Touching surfaces or objects that may be frequently touched by other people. ○ To help stop the spread of germs: ○ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
In addition to adequate sanitation and bloodborne pathogen exposure procedures, cosmetologists apply standard precautions for infection control. These include hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and the use of personal, protective, equipment (PPE) to address direct, indirect, droplet, and fomite transmission to control infection. Follow these five steps every time. 1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. 2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. 3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice. 4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water. 5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them. Use hand sanitizer when you can not use soap and water Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contains at least 70% alcohol. Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations, however: ● Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs. ● Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. ● Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals. Gloves are also part of hand hygiene but may not be suitable for all cosmetology services. Gloves should be used following OAC and OSHA rules and after exposure incidents as previously noted in the sections on universal and standard precaution. ○ Throw used tissues in the trash. ○ If you don’t have a tissue, cough, or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. ○ Remember to immediately wash hands after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. For information about preventing the spread of COVID-19, see CDC’s COVID-19: Prevent Getting Sick web page. To help prevent the spread of respiratory disease, you can also avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are ill, you should try to distance yourself from others, so you do not spread your germs. Distancing includes staying home from work or school when possible.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
The CDC (2021) provides details on the proper way to use PPE which is summarized below: The type of PPE used will vary based on the level of precautions required, such as standard and contact, droplet, or airborne infection isolation precautions. The procedure for putting on and removing PPE should be tailored to the specific type of PPE. Mask or respirator ○ Secure ties or elastic bands at middle of head and neck .
Hazardous chemicals and pathogens have been detailed throughout this course along with sanitation steps, universal and standard precautions. The OSHA guidelines above refer to the use of PPE that should be available for cosmetology workers and requires training on PPE use. Due to the recent and ongoing prevalence of Covid-19, workers have become very familiar with the importance of face masks, which were mandated for use to protect workers and clients from transmitting the virus. It is important to review state and local mandates for PPE use as Covid regulations frequently change.
○ Fit flexible band to nose bridge. ○ Fits snug to face and below chin. ○ Fit-check respirator.
Book Code: COH0325A
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