Sanitation and Safety
Domain 5 - Sanitation and Safety - tests cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, blood-spill response, and safe work practices in an Iowa salon.
Three levels
Cleaning removes debris with soap and water. Disinfection uses an EPA-registered hospital-grade product on clean surfaces and implements; follow the label’s contact time. Sterilization kills spores and is done by autoclave or another validated method. Porous items-files, cotton, wooden sticks, wax strips-are single-use unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise.
Routine practice
Wash hands before and after each client. Clean then disinfect implements after every use; store clean and dirty items separately. Keep disinfectant covered, labeled, and mixed at the labeled concentration; do not top off. Launder towels and capes. Keep SDS for chemicals. Use GFCI protection near water; keep cords away from sinks.
Blood and injury
For a blood spill: stop, glove, absorb with a disposable towel, clean, then disinfect with a product labeled for bloodborne pathogens at the labeled contact time. Bag waste appropriately, wash hands, and document. For a burn or cut, cool/clean, cover, and refer as needed.
Worked example: A tweezer falls on the floor. Do not wipe it with alcohol and reuse it. Clean it, then submerge it in the correct disinfectant for the full contact time, rinse/dry as directed, and store it in the clean area.
Traps: using alcohol as the only disinfectant; relying on a UV cabinet; storing clean tools beside dirty ones; guessing contact time; skipping handwashing; leaving disinfectant uncovered or topped off.