Overview
This lecture provides a comprehensive review of infection control for beauty professionals, covering essential vocabulary, principles, regulatory requirements, modes of transmission, types of pathogens, disinfection procedures, and workplace safety practices.
Infection Control Fundamentals
- Infection control involves methods to eliminate or reduce transmission of infectious organisms between people.
- Key steps include cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing tools and work areas.
- Cleaning removes dirt and debris; disinfecting kills most pathogens except spores; sterilizing destroys all microbial life including spores.
- Beauty professionals must follow infection control to protect themselves and clients.
Regulatory Agencies and Standards
- OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulates safety standards and mandates Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemicals.
- EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) registers disinfectants; products must show EPA registration number and efficacy claims.
- State agencies oversee licensing, enforcement, and workplace conduct; compliance with laws and rules is mandatory.
Principles and Modes of Transmission
- Direct transmission: pathogens spread through person-to-person contact (touching, sneezing, talking).
- Indirect transmission: occurs via contaminated objects or surfaces.
- Airborne/respiratory droplets: pathogens spread through air via coughing or sneezing.
- Prevention relies on effective cleaning, handwashing, disinfecting, and safe work habits.
Types of Pathogens and Diseases
- Pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and biofilms.
- Non-pathogenic bacteria are harmless; pathogenic bacteria cause disease.
- Infectious diseases can be local (pimple, abscess) or systemic (spread throughout the body).
- MRSA and microbacterium are significant bacterial risks in salons.
- Viruses (e.g., influenza, HIV, hepatitis) require vaccines and hygienic practices for control.
- Fungi (e.g., tinea, ringworm), parasites (lice, scabies), and biofilms present unique challenges.
Infection Control Procedures
- Always clean tools and surfaces before disinfecting; use EPA-registered disinfectants per manufacturer's instructions.
- Disinfect non-porous tools; discard porous or single-use items after use.
- Sterilization (autoclaves) may be required for some tools; test autoclaves monthly.
- Proper hand washing with liquid soap is crucial before and after every client.
Safety Precautions and Workplace Practices
- Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like gloves and safety glasses when handling chemicals and during exposure incidents.
- Maintain clean towels, linens, capes, and disinfect work surfaces between clients.
- Ensure proper ventilation, mark exits, and maintain fire extinguishers.
- Store and handle chemicals safely; never mix chemicals unless specified.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Cleaning — Mechanical removal of dirt, debris, and germs with soap and water.
- Disinfecting — Chemical process that kills most pathogens except spores on non-porous surfaces.
- Sterilizing — Process that destroys all microbial life, including spores.
- Contamination — Presence of potentially infectious material or residue on surfaces.
- Decontamination — Removal of infectious material and visible debris from surfaces.
- OSHA — Federal agency regulating workplace health and safety.
- EPA — Federal agency registering and approving disinfectants.
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) — Specialized clothing or equipment for safety.
- Efficacy — The effectiveness of a disinfectant in killing organisms as claimed on the label.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review your state board’s specific infection control rules and updates monthly.
- Practice proper cleaning and disinfection of tools before and after every client.
- Maintain up-to-date SDS and logbooks for all chemicals and disinfection activities.
- Ensure PPE is used correctly and exposure incident protocols are followed.
- Study chapter handouts and follow detailed hand washing and disinfection procedures as outlined.