Health, safety, and hygiene in the salon
What this domain tests
Health, safety and hygiene questions test your ability to prevent cross-infection and accidents while meeting salon and legal duties. Expect areas such as hand hygiene, cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation, PPE, COSHH, waste, risk assessment, electricity, fire and accident reporting.
Core rules
- Clean before disinfect. Cleaning removes soil and organic matter; disinfection reduces pathogens on clean surfaces; sterilisation destroys all micro-organisms including spores and is a specialist process, not a quick soak.
- Use single-use items where possible, such as files, cotton, spatulas, wax strips and gloves. Never double-dip wax or share implements that cannot be effectively cleaned.
- Perform hand hygiene before and after contact and between clients. Cover cuts; wear gloves for blood or body fluid contact and as required by product instructions.
- Store chemicals in original labelled containers, keep Safety Data Sheets accessible, and follow dilution and contact times. COSHH requires risk assessment and control of hazardous substances.
- Separate clean and dirty areas; keep waste streams correct; bag contaminated waste; never reuse sharps.
- Check equipment, cables and plugs; keep water away from electricals; test residual current devices; keep fire exits clear.
- Report accidents, incidents and near misses, record them and seek first aid or medical help.
Worked example
A metal cuticle nipper is dropped on the floor. It is visibly clean, so someone suggests a disinfectant wipe. That is inadequate: cleaning and disinfection may be acceptable for some items, but a contaminated implement that penetrates skin or contacts blood requires validated reprocessing, often sterilisation, and the item should be removed from use until processed. Document the incident.
Traps
Calling a wipe 'sterile'; topping up disinfectant rather than preparing fresh; wearing the same gloves for several clients; and ignoring contact time.