Section 270. Sanitation and safety standards for shops, salons, and schools

A. Sanitation and safety standards. Any shop, salon, school or facility where barber, cosmetology, or nail services are delivered to the public must be clean and sanitary at all times. Compliance with these rules does not confer compliance with other requirements set forth by federal, state and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations as they apply to business operation, physical construction and maintenance, safety, and public health. Licensees shall take sufficient measures to prevent the transmission of communicable and infectious diseases and comply with the sanitation standards identified in this section and shall insure that all employees likewise comply.

B. Disinfection and storage of implements.

1. A wet disinfection unit is a container large enough to hold a disinfectant solution in which the objects to be disinfected are completely immersed. A wet disinfection unit must have a cover to prevent contamination of the solution. The solution must be a hospital (grade) and tuberculocidal disinfectant solution registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Disinfectant solutions shall be used according to manufacturer's directions. Disinfection is to be carried out in the following manner:

a. Remove hair and all foreign matter from the object.

b. Wash thoroughly with hot water and soap.

c. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry thoroughly with a clean paper towel.

d. Fully immerse instruments into solution, and

e. After immersion, rinse articles, thoroughly dry with a clean paper towel and store in a clean predisinfected and dry cabinet, drawer, or nonairtight covered container, or leave instruments in an EPA-registered disinfection/storage solution used according to manufacturer's directions.

2. For the purpose of recharging, rechargeable clippers may be stored in an area other than in a closed cabinet or container. This area shall be clean and the cutting edges of any clippers are to be disinfected.

3. Electrical clipper blades shall be disinfected before and after each use. Disinfection is to be carried out in the following manner:

a. Remove all hair and foreign matter;

b. Remove blade and all hair and foreign matter under blade; and

c. Completely immerse clipper blade into an EPA-registered hospital (grade) and tuberculocidal disinfectant solution for not less than 10 minutes. Wipe the entire handle down with the solution.

d. If the clipper blade cannot be removed, the use of a spray or foam used according to the manufacturer's instructions will be acceptable provided that the disinfectant is an EPA-registered hospital (grade) and tuberculocidal disinfectant solution, and that the entire handle is also disinfected by wiping with the disinfectant solution.

4. All materials including cosmetic and nail brushes, sponges, chamois, spatulas and galvanic electrodes must be cleaned with warm water and soap or detergent to remove all foreign matter. Implements should then be rinsed, thoroughly dried with a clean paper towel, and completely immersed in an EPA-registered hospital (grade) and tuberculocidal disinfectant solution. Such implements shall be soaked for 10 minutes or more, removed, rinsed, dried thoroughly and stored in a predisinfected and dry drawer, cabinet or nonairtight covered container, or left in an EPA-registered disinfection/storage solution used according to manufacturer's directions.

5. All wax pots will be cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital (grade) and tuberculocidal disinfectant solution with no sticks left standing in the wax at any time.

6. Each barber, cosmetologist, and nail technician must have a wet disinfection unit at his station.

7. Nail brushes, nippers, finger bowls, disinfectable or washable files and buffers and other instruments must be washed in soap and water (files are to be scrubbed with a brush to remove all foreign matter), rinsed, thoroughly dried with a clean paper towel, and then completely immersed in an EPA-registered hospital (grade) and tuberculocidal disinfectant solution for 10 minutes after each use. After disinfection they must be rinsed, dried thoroughly with a clean paper towel, and placed in a dry, predisinfected, nonairtight covered receptacle, cabinet or drawer, or left in an EPA-registered disinfectant/storage system used according to manufacturer's directions.

8. Drill bits are to be soaked in acetone and scrubbed with a wire brush to remove all foreign matter. All foreign matter must be removed. The drill bits must then be cleaned with warm water and soap or detergent and rinsed, dried thoroughly with a clean paper towel, and completely immersed in an EPA-registered hospital (grade) and tuberculocidal disinfectant solution. Such implements shall be soaked for 10 minutes or more, removed, rinsed, dried thoroughly, and stored in a pre-disinfected and dry drawer, cabinet or nonairtight covered container, or left in an EPA-registered disinfection/storage solution used according to manufacturer's directions.

C. General sanitation and safety requirements.

1. All furniture, walls, floors, and windows shall be clean and in good repair. Wash basins and shampoo sinks shall be clean.

2. The floor surface in the immediate work area must be of a washable surface other than carpet. The floor must be kept clean, free of hair, dropped articles, spills and electrical cords;

3. Walls and ceilings in the immediate work area must be in good repair, free of water seepage and dirt. Any mats shall be secured or shall lay flat;

4. A fully functional bathroom in the same building with a working toilet and sink must be available for clients. Fixtures must be in good condition. The bathroom must be lighted and sufficiently ventilated. If there is a window, it must have a screen. There must be antibacterial soap and clean individual towels for the client's use. Laundering of towels is allowed, space permitting. The bathroom must not be used as a work area or for the open storage of chemicals;

5. General areas for client use must be neat and clean with a waste receptacle for common trash;

6. Electrical cords shall be placed to prevent entanglement by the client or licensee;

7. Electrical outlets shall be covered by plates;

8. The salon area shall be sufficiently ventilated to exhaust hazardous or objectionable airborne chemicals, and to allow the free flow of air;

9. Adequate lighting shall be provided.

D. Equipment sanitation.

1. Service chairs, wash basins, shampoo sinks and workstations shall be clean. Floors shall be kept free of hair, nail product, and other waste materials. Combs, brushes, towels, razors, clippers, scissors, nippers, and other instruments shall be cleaned and sanitized after every use and stored free from contamination.

2. The top of workstands or back bars shall be kept clean;

3. The work area shall be free of clutter, trash, and any other items that may cause a hazard;

4. Heat-producing appliances and equipment shall be placed so as to prevent any accidental injury to the client or licensee; and

5. Electrical appliances and equipment shall be in safe working order at all times.

E. Articles, tools and products.

1. Clean towels and robes shall be used for each patron. Soiled towels and robes or smocks shall be stored in an enclosed container except if the towels are in separate laundry rooms.

2. Whenever a haircloth is used, a clean towel or neck strip shall be placed around the neck of the patron to prevent the haircloth from touching the skin.

3. Scissors, razors, clippers, nippers, and all sharp-edged cutting instruments shall be sanitized after each use with a disinfectant in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Hair brushes and combs shall be washed in soap and hot water and sanitized after each use. Cleaned instruments, such as combs, hair brushes, shears, towels, etc., shall be kept free from contamination.

5. No alum or other astringent shall be used in stick form. Liquid or powder astringent must be used.

6. Permanent wave rods shall be rinsed after each use. End papers shall not be reused and shall be destroyed after each use.

7. Soiled implements must be removed from the tops of work stations immediately after use;

8. Clean spatulas, other clean tools, or clean disposable gloves shall be used to remove bulk substances from containers;

9. Powder puffs, lip color, cheek color, sponges, or styptic pencils that cannot be sanitized or sterilized are prohibited from being used on more than one client;

10. Lotions, ointments, creams, and powders shall be kept in closed containers. A clean spatula shall be used to remove creams or ointments from jars. Sterile cotton shall be used to apply creams, lotions and powders. Cosmetic containers shall be recovered after each use;

11. For nail care, a sanitary container shall be provided to each client. Emery boards shall be discarded after use on each individual client;

12. All sharp tools, implements, and heat-producing appliances shall be safely stored;

13. Pre-sanitized tools and implements, linens and equipment shall be stored for use in a sanitary enclosed cabinet or covered receptacle;

14. Soiled towels, linens and implements shall be deposited in a container made of cleanable materials and separate from those that are clean or pre-sanitized;

15. No substance other than a sterile styptic powder or sterile liquid astringent approved for homeostasis and applied with a sterile single-use applicator shall be used to check bleeding; and

16. Any disposable material making contact with blood or other body fluid shall be disposed of in a sealed plastic bag and removed from the shop, salon, school or facility in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Health.

F. Chemical storage and emergency information.

1. Shops, salons, schools and facilities shall have in the immediate working area a binder with all Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provided by manufacturers for any chemical products used;

2. Shop, salons, schools and facilities shall have a blood spill clean-up kit in the work area;

3. Flammable chemicals shall be stored in a nonflammable storage cabinet or a properly ventilated room; and

4. Chemicals that could interact in a hazardous manner (oxidizers, catalysts and solvents) shall be separated in storage.

G. Client health guidelines.

1. All employees providing client services shall cleanse their hands with an antibacterial product prior to providing services to each client. Licensees shall require that clients for nail care services shall cleanse their hands immediately prior to the requested nail care service;

2. An artificial nail shall only be applied to a healthy natural nail;

3. A nail drill or motorized instrument shall be used only on the free edge of the nail;

4. No shop, salon, school or facility providing cosmetology or nail care services shall have on the premises cosmetic products containing hazardous substances that have been banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in cosmetic products.

5. No product shall be used in a manner that is disapproved by the FDA; and

6. All regulated services must be performed in a facility that is in compliance with current local building and zoning codes.

H. In addition to any requirements set forth in this section, all licensees and temporary permit holders shall adhere to regulations and guidelines established by the Virginia Department of Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Compliance Division of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

I. All shops, salons, schools and facilities shall immediately report the results of any inspection of the shop, salon, or school by the Virginia Department of Health as required by § 54.1-705 of the Code of Virginia.

J. All shops, salons, schools and facilities shall maintain a self-inspection form on file to be updated on an annual basis, and kept for five years, so that it may be requested and reviewed by the board at its discretion.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.