8 Cosmetology Precautions for  Dealing with Blood-borne Pathogens

The Blood-borne pathogens are disease-carrying microbes found in human blood that can cause diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and AIDS.

Disease Contraction

If you come in contact with contaminated blood while performing a service at your salon, you can contract the infected person’s disease in one of two ways:

• The infected blood (or other body fluid) can make contact with broken skin, such as a cut or rash.
• The infected blood (or other body fluid) can make contact with a mucus membrane, such as your nose, eyes or mouth.

Since you cannot tell by looking at someone whether he or she is infected with a blood-borne pathogen, treat all blood and other bodily fluids as if they are infectious.

General Precautions
Here are some other precautions to consider:

• Always wear gloves if you must clean up a client’s blood when he or she gets hurt or opens up an existing wound while at the salon.
• Clean and sanitize all work surfaces that were in contact with blood and other bodily fluids immediately.
• Wash your hands immediately after cleaning up or being exposed to blood with soap and warm water.
• Place blood-soiled towels and linens in red biohazard bags for disposal.

Exposure Recommendations
If another person’s blood or body fluid makes contact with your skin or mucus membranes, follow these steps to remain safe:

• Wash your skin with large amounts of soap and warm water.
• Flush the mucus membranes with large quantities of warm water.
• Report the incident to your supervisor immediately.
• Seek medical care, if necessary.

Looking for additional ways to help keep your employees safe? Download our free Retail & Wholesale Employee Safety Manual for policies and procedures that support a safety-conscious work environment.