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2019

Connecticut Local Health Salon Inspection Form Guidelines

Connecticut Department of Public Health in Collaboration with the Connecticut Association of Directors of Health

 

The following Guidelines were established pursuant to Public Act 19-117, Section 196(b), that enhanced the existing local health annual salon inspection requirements found in Connecticut General Statutes Section 19a-231 by requiring the Department of Public Health to collaborate with local health directors to establish a standardized inspection form and guidelines concerning inspection standards related to the sanitary conditions of a salon.

 

Public Act 19-177 defines a salon as any shop, store, day spa, or other commercial establishment at which the practice of barbering, hairdressing and cosmetology, or the services of a nail technician, esthetician, or eyelash technician is offered and provided.  

 

Local health districts and departments are free to incorporate more stringent standards for salons in their jurisdiction.   Local modifications may also be made to incorporate additional standards and requirements for services provided at salons or similar businesses that were not included in the language of Public Act 19-117 (e.g. tanning, electrology, tattooing, etc.).

 

A. Sanitary Condition/Infection Control

 

1. Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and disposable gloves as a barrier against infectious materials provided as needed.(See Infection Prevention and Control Plan Guidelines for technicians)

 

2. Immediately dispose, in a covered waste receptacle, (A) all single use items and any items that cannot be effectively cleaned and disinfected after direct contact with a customer’s skin, nails, or hair; (B) any debris after a client receives a service.  (C) Remove and place used linen, towels and sheets in a separate and appropriately labeled container. 


3. All re-usable tools, equipment, implements, including fingerbowls, must be properly disinfected after use on a client.  All implements must be constructed of hard materials with smooth non-porous surfaces such as metal, glass, or plastic that can be used on more than one client. (A) After each client use, reusable implements and equipment must be cleaned with warm water and soap or detergent, rinsed thoroughly, allowed to dry, and completely immersed in an EPA hospital grade disinfectant.  EPA registered hospital grade disinfectant must be used in accordance with the manufacturers’ directions for the intended implements or surface.  (B) Such implements shall be soaked for 10 minutes or per manufacturers suggested contact time, removed, rinsed, air dried and stored in a drawer, cabinet or covered container.  The disinfecting solution must be free of debris and contaminants at all times and must be changed as necessary per manufacturer directions.

 

NOTE: Electrical equipment that cannot be immersed in liquid shall be wiped cleaned of all visible debris and disinfected prior to use on a client with and EPA registered disinfectant.  Also counters, chairs, mirrors and sinks need to be disinfected after use.  Once again, those items need to be visibly wet with a spray or wipe for ten minutes, then wiped with a clean cloth. The ten minute contact time is vital for proper infection control.


NOTE: All equipment/tools, shall be disinfected or sterilized by means of: (A) an EPA registered bactericide, viricide, and fungicide disinfectant; (B) a steam autoclave using fifteen (15) pounds of pressure for thirty (30) minutes at two hundred fifty (250) degrees Fahrenheit; or (C) a dry heat sterilizer.  Use of either an autoclave or dry heat sterilizer, requires strict adherence to manufacturer’s instructions or US FDA instructions.

 

4. Hospital-grade disinfectant must be used to clean the area and materials used in the practice of hairdressing, cosmetology and by nail technicians, estheticians and eyelash technicians, including, but not limited to, chairs, armrests, tables, countertops, trays seats and soaking tubs for both hands and feet. 

 

5. Handwashing sinks in an area where the hairdresser, cosmetologist or nail technician provide services are required.  Hand washing is required before and between providing services to each client.  Soap must be used to cleanse the hands and the exposed portions of arms before providing services and after smoking, drinking, eating, or using the restroom. 

 

6. Re-use of single use implements is prohibited; these items must be immediately discarded into a covered waste receptacle after use.  Some implements cannot be adequately disinfected between clients because they are made of porous/permeable material and/or become degraded by use on a client.  (some examples include, but not limited to: buffers, pumice stone, wooden sticks used for waxing, toe separators, gloves, cotton balls/pads/swabs, sponges, paraffin, emery boards, sponge tip applicators, single-use eyelash brushes and neck strips)

 

7. Pedicure basins (foot spas, foot basins and spa liners) must be cleaned and disinfected after each client using this sequence regardless of liners used or not:

 

  • All water shall be drained and all debris shall be removed from spa basin.
  • Next the pedicure tub must be cleaned with soap or detergent and water, any removable part must be take off for further cleaning.  (this includes: jet covers and screens)
  • The spa basin must be disinfected with an EPA registered disinfectant labeled as bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal for at least 10 minutes or according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Whirlpool jets with recirculation waters must be filled and turned on to adequately disinfect.  Please select this link for a photo.
  • The spa basin must be wiped dry with a clean towel or allowed to sufficiently air dry

8. A practitioner should not perform services on a client if the practitioner has reason to believe the client has a contagious condition such as head lice, nits, ringworm, conjunctivitis; or inflamed, infected, broken, raised or swollen skin or nail tissue; or an open wound or sore in the area to be serviced.

B. Customer Protection

 

1. A hand sink must be accessible for clients and employees, to prevent the spread of infection.  At least one dedicated hand washing sink must be located in each service area, the restroom hand sink does not meet this criteria.  The hand washing sink must be kept in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.

 

2. Soap and single service paper towels or a towel (one per client) must be provided at all hand sinks.  If the salon chooses to use cloth towels they must be properly cleaned and disinfected.

 

3. All products and chemicals shall be stored in labeled containers, and all original containers must be accompanied by dilution and use instructions. Chemicals should be safely stored and assessable to employees only.  Safety Data Sheets (SDS) sheets should be available for all chemicals used in the salon.

 

4. Prohibited items should not be in use, nor present in permitted/licensed facility.  (A) In order to reduce the chance of injury or infection, implements designed to remove layers of skin shall not be used.  Examples include but are not limited to: razor-type callus shavers designed to cut growth of skin such as corns or calluses; credo blade, microplane/graters, cutters, and scrapers.  (B) Shaving brushes, mugs, brush neck dusters, brushes and sponges are prohibited unless they are single use disposable implements or can be properly cleaned and sanitized.

 

Per Sec. 19a-903c “Cosmetic Medical Procedures”

 

5. Service providers must wear appropriate clean protective clothing and footwear at all times during the provision of clinical services.  Good hygienic practices must be followed such as, no smoking or eating while providing services to a customer or in a service/treatment areas.   

 

6. A separate utility sink shall be provided for proper cleaning of surfaces and equipment.

 

7. All clean and disinfected utensils/tools and material when not in use shall be stored in a clean, dry, debris-free environment which includes but not limited to drawers, cases, tool belt, rolling trays.  They must be stored separate from soiled utensils/tools.  Ultraviolet (UV) electric sanitizers are permissible for use as a dry storage container, not as a form of disinfection

 

8. In order to minimize skin contact, a neck barrier strip or clean towel should be used with all reusable capes.

 

Licensure

 

1. The current permit or license issued (if applicable) from the Local Health Department or District must be prominently displayed. 

 

2. All individuals per CT State Law, who are required to hold a license to perform a service, must have a current/active license available for review during inspection.  The State of Connecticut eLicense website is a resource that can be used to also “verify a license” by entering an individual’s first and last name. 

 

Note: Any employee working as an apprentice through a Department of Labor Apprenticeship program must provide documentation confirming their participation in the program upon the request of the Local Health Department or District.

 

Facility

 

1. An adequate supply of hot or cold running water from a municipal or approved private source shall be provided.

 

2. Waste water from all plumbing fixtures shall be discharged into municipal sewer or suitable subsurface sewage disposal systems in accordance with the provisions of the CT Public Health Code. 

 

3. The salon shall be properly and adequately ventilated to comply with State and Local building code ordinances and regulations.

 

4. Floors, walls and ceiling should be cleanable and kept in good repair and clean, with no accumulation of hair or other waste at work stations

 

5. Towels and other laundered items must be properly cleaned and stored.  A commercial linen service shall be used if not done on the premises.

 

6. Covered containers shall be provided and maintained in a sanitary condition.  All waste receptacles should not be allowed to overflow and trash bags may not be allowed to accumulate inside or outside the salon.

 

7. Storage of extra chemicals, lotions, glues, creams, callus removers and other cosmetology products should be safely stored and accessible to employees only.  Safety Data Sheets (SDS) sheets must be available for all chemicals used in the salon

 

8. Lighting fixtures shall be sufficient and properly placed as to provide adequate illumination.

 

9. No animals or pets with the exception of designated service animals, are allowed in establishments.  

 

10. All areas of a salon must be clearly separated from a residential space with a closed door and must be equipped with the facilities and instruments required.

 

Restrooms

 

1. All restrooms, for employees and clients should be accessible, sanitary, clean and in good repair. A separate hand sink with an adequate supply of hot or cold running water in each restroom shall be provided.

 

2. An adequate supply of soap, with dispenser, and disposable towels, or an approved hand-drying devise shall be available.  Bar soap and common cloth towels are prohibited.  Waste receptacles shall be easily cleanable and available in all restrooms, emptied at least once a day.  A covered waste receptacle shall be provided in ladies restrooms.