Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety: Breaking the Chain of Infection
Pathogens and precautions
Pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Bloodborne viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV spread through blood and body fluids. Standard precautions mean treating every client's blood and body fluids as potentially infectious. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds, wear gloves for blood contact, and place sharps in a biohazard container.
Cleaning, disinfection, sterilization
Cleaning removes visible debris with soap and water; disinfection kills most pathogens on nonporous surfaces; sterilization destroys all microbial life. Use an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant at the label dilution and for the full contact time, often 10 minutes. Implements must be cleaned first because debris blocks disinfectant, then immersed or sprayed. Porous items such as files, buffers, and wooden sticks are single-use.
Blood and chemical safety
For a blood spill, put on gloves, absorb the spill, clean the area, then disinfect with an EPA-registered product or a freshly prepared 1:10 bleach solution. Keep safety data sheets for chemicals, ventilate the work area, and label secondary containers.
Worked example
After a fade, clipper blades are visibly coated with hair and oil. Reasoning: spray disinfectant now would fail because soil blocks contact. Remove the hair, wash with soap and water, dry, then disinfect for the label contact time.
Traps that cost marks
Topping off disinfectant; skipping the cleaning step; relying on a UV cabinet alone; not timing contact; reusing porous implements; handling blood without gloves.