Sanitation, Sterilization, and Infection Control
Sanitation, sterilization, and infection control
This domain tests the chain of infection and the practical sanitation rules a Florida barber must follow between clients. Questions often ask what must be done to a tool, linen, sink, or hand after a service, and which shortcut is illegal.
Clean, disinfect, sterilize
- Cleaning removes visible debris with soap or detergent and water; it does not kill all pathogens.
- Disinfection uses an EPA-registered hospital-grade product according to the label's contact time; it kills most disease-causing organisms on surfaces and tools.
- Sterilization destroys all microbial life, including spores; barber shops generally disinfect rather than sterilize, except where a rule or manufacturer requires more.
- UV cabinets and dry sanitizers are not substitutes for cleaning and chemical disinfection; they may only store already disinfected tools.
Tools and linens
- After each client, wash reusable tools that contact hair or skin, then immerse or wipe with disinfectant for the full label contact time. This includes shears, combs, brushes, clippers, and guards.
- Remove and dispose of razor blades and other sharps in a sharps container; never reuse a blade.
- Use a clean towel or neck strip for each client; place soiled linens in a closed container, never on a work surface.
- Clean and disinfect shampoo bowls, chairs, armrests, and capes between clients as contact requires; keep disinfectant solutions clean and change them when soiled or according to directions.
Worked example
A clipper is used on a client, then wiped once with a dry cloth and put in a drawer. Reasoning: the dry cloth removes hair but does not disinfect. The clipper must first be cleaned of debris, then treated with an EPA-registered disinfectant for the labeled contact time, and stored only after it is dry. The drawer is storage, not disinfection.
Traps
- Believing 'no visible blood' means no disinfection is needed.
- Using a UV cabinet as the only step.
- Reusing a disposable blade after a quick alcohol wipe.
- Putting dirty towels on the station while finishing a cut.