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Great health & safety tips for both manicurist/pedicurists & clients

This great informational link was passed on to us by a public health inspector.

Find it all at:

http://www.region.durham.on.ca/health.asp?nr=/departments/health/health_protection/pss/manicure.htm&nav=b&setFooter=/includes/health/healthFooterEnviro.txt

Personal Services Settings Protocol:

Manicures and Pedicures

What is the health concern?

Instruments and equipment used for manicures and pedicures may become contaminated with blood or body fluids carrying blood-borne diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

Instruments and equipment must be cleaned and then or sterilized after each client to prevent the transmission of blood-borne diseases.

You do not have to see blood or body fluids on instruments for an infection to occur.

Protect yourself...

Thoroughly wash hands before and after each client (using liquid soap and warm water).

It is recommended that clients wash their hands with liquid soap and water before a manicure.

Discard razors immediately after use, into a puncture-resistant sharps container, labelled “Biohazard”.

Puncture-resistant, sharps containers must not be discarded with the municipal garbage.

Protect your clients...

Examine the client's nails for infection before starting the procedure. If discolouration, such as a yellow-green colour appears on the nail, do not provide nail service. Advise the client to see a doctor.

Avoid piercing the client’s skin, especially when cutting cuticles or filing the nails.

Instruments such as emery boards, orange sticks, etc. are single-use, disposable items. These must be disposed of after each client.

Clean, single-use, disposable, razors blades must be used for paring thickened/callous skin.

Instruments/equipment used on a client (e.g. nippers, clippers and nail brushes) must be cleaned and then disinfected (using an intermediate or high level disinfectant), after each client.

Clean and then disinfect (low or intermediate level disinfectant) the work surface after each client or use a clean, single-use covering (e.g. towel) on work surface for each client.

Footrests, work surfaces, tables, etc. must be cleaned and disinfected using a low level disinfectant at least once a day.

Thoroughly clean and then disinfect foot baths after each client with a low level disinfectant (including recirculation systems).

Keep client and accidental blood and body fluid exposure records for a minimum of one year.

Sources: Toronto Public Health, Personal Services Settings Resource Package, 2001.
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Personal Services Settings Protocol, Jan. 1998