Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety
This domain tests the chain of infection and the practical controls that stop it in a salon: hand hygiene, implement classification, disinfectant selection, blood-exposure response, and chemical safety. Expect questions that ask you to choose the correct level of control, not just recognize a brand name.
Cleaning, disinfection, sterilization
- Cleaning removes visible debris and organic soil with soap or detergent and water. It must happen before disinfection because soil can inactivate the chemical.
- Disinfection kills most pathogenic microorganisms on hard, nonporous surfaces. Use an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant with label claims for bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and follow the label contact time exactly.
- Sterilization destroys all microbial life, including spores. It is not the routine salon method for files and nippers.
- Porous items such as emery boards, buffers, wooden sticks, and pumice cannot be reliably disinfected. Use them once and discard, or give them to the client.
Worked example
A technician finishes filing a client's nails and sees a small amount of blood on the file. She sprays the file with disinfectant and plans to reuse it. Reasoning: the file is porous, and disinfectant cannot penetrate the soiled surface. The correct action is to stop, wear gloves, discard the contaminated file, clean and disinfect the workstation, and follow the salon's blood-exposure procedure. The client's skin should be cleaned and covered, and the service should not continue over broken skin without appropriate protection.
Traps that cost marks
- Disinfectant contact time is not universal; ten minutes is not the default. Read the label.
- Gloves do not replace hand washing, and disinfectant does not clean.
- UV lamps and foot spas are not sterilizers; foot-spa basins require cleaning and disinfection between clients.
- Keep chemicals away from food and drink, and keep safety data sheets available.