Barber Examiners, Board of

Barber Examiners, Board of

Chapter 2: Infection Control

Effective Date: 01/28/2020 to 06/02/2021

Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 016.0001.2.01282020

Infection Control

Section 1. Infection Control and Safety Standards, adopted from the National Interstate Council of Cosmetology and Barbering (NIC).

(a) In this chapter, “barber” refers to barbers, barber stylists, barber instructors, students in barber schools, and candidates for examination for any barber license.

(b) Wet disinfection and storage standards.

(i) Barbers must clean and disinfect all non-porous tools and implements or multi-use item with soap and warm water or a chemical cleaner before using them on a client. Barbers must then disinfect the items by completely immersing them in an EPA registered, bactericidal, viricidal, fungicidal, (formulated for hospitals) disinfectant that is mixed and used according to manufacturer’s directions. Note: Items that are porous cannot be disinfected. Barbers must dispose of them after each use.

(ii) Barbers must follow the manufacturer’s instructions for disinfectant use. Items must stay immersed or visibly moist with disinfectant for the entire contact time listed on the manufacturer’s label to be effective.

(iii) Barbers must change all disinfectant solution according to the manufacturer’s label or sooner if the solution is contaminated.

(c) Dry storage standards.

(i) Barbers must store all disinfected implements in a disinfected, dry covered container and isolate disinfected implements from contaminants. At no time can these items come into contact with used or dirty items. If disinfected implements come into contact with used or dirty items, barbers must disinfect the implements again before barbers may use the implement.

(d) Hand washing.

(i) Barbers must thoroughly wash their hands and the exposed portions of their arms with soap and water before providing services to each client and after smoking, drinking, eating, or using the restroom.

Section 2. Blood Exposure Procedure Standards, adopted from NIC.

(a) If a client or model sustains an injury, the barber must ensure these steps are followed:

(i) The injured party should rinse the injury with running water to remove any bacteria that may have entered the wound, if possible.

(ii) The barber must supply the injured party with antiseptic or a single use packet of antibacterial ointment and the appropriate dressing to cover the injury.

(iii) The barber must bag all blood-soiled or contaminated porous articles and dispose of them. The barber must immediately wash and disinfect all non-porous items. The barber may not continue service with these items.

(b) If the barber sustains an injury, the barber must follow these steps:

1. (i) Stop the service, put on gloves (if appropriate) and clean the injured area;
2. (ii) Apply antiseptic to the injured area;
3. (iii) Cover the injury with the appropriate adhesive dressing;
4. (iv) Cover injured area with finger guard or glove if appropriate;
5. (v) Bag and dispose of all contaminated single use items;
6. (vi) Remove gloves and wash hands;
7. (vii) If client is contaminated, properly clean client;
8. (viii) Clean and disinfect implements and station;
9. (ix) Clean hands; and
10. (x) Return to service.

Section 3. Additional Infection Control.

(a) Clippers and Trimmers.

(i) Barbers must clean and disinfect all clippers and trimmers and after each use with disinfectant designed for clippers and trimmers according to the disinfectant manufacturer's recommendations.

(ii) Barbers may clean clippers with clipper wash, but clipper wash is not a disinfectant unless it is labeled as germicidal, viricidal, and fungicidal with proven effectiveness against HIV, HEPB and Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA). If so, barbers must use the clipper wash according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

(b) Leather Barber Strop. Barbers may use leather barber strops to straighten and polish the blade of a razor only if the barber cleans and disinfects the razor in accordance with Section 1(b)(i) before using the strop. Barbers may not use the strop during service if the blade has come in contact with the patron.

(c) Products. Barbers must remove all lotions, waxes, creams and hair or shave preparations from their original container in a manner that does not contaminate the product remaining in the container. Barbers may not use their bare hands to remove product from any container. Barbers must remove product with a spatula that is single use and disposed of after use or with a spatula that is multi-use and disinfected after each dip into the container. This does not apply to items in squeeze tubes, spray bottles or shakers.

(d) Barber Chairs. Barbers must clean all headrests after each use or place a clean cover or towel on the headrest before each use. When not in use, barbers must keep headrests in a clean place which is free of dust and debris.

(e) Infectious Disease.

(i) No person infected with a disease in a communicable form which can be transmitted in the course of their employment shall work in a shop or school.

(ii) Licensees shall not treat or attempt to treat any disease of the skin.

(f) All barbers shall have an adequate amount of implements so that they can properly disinfect their tools between customers.

(g) If barbers serve coffee or other refreshments to customers, barbers must serve these refreshments in single use containers with lids.

(h) Restroom facilities shall be adequately supplied with disposable hand towels or dryers and liquid or powder soap.

Section 4. Prohibited Equipment. Barbers may not use the following equipment:

(a) Common shaving brushes;

(b) Finger bowls;

(c) Lump alum (when used for styptic purposes);

(d) Powder puffs; and

(e) Wooden handle, natural bristle neck brushes.