Pedicures carry the highest infection risk in a salon, and blood exposure is governed by federal rules. Both are standard exam territory.
Why foot spas matter
The EPA lists pedicure tubs among the main ways germs spread in salons, along with dirty implements and towels. Nail fungus spreads through contaminated foot spas, and staph is a common bacterial risk.
Cleaning and disinfecting pedicure equipment
Pedicure bowls and foot spas are cleaned and disinfected according to the manufacturer's label before each client, and OSHA adds at the end of the day. Cleaning comes first: a disinfectant cannot work through debris. Keep the surface wet for the full contact time on the disinfectant's label. Your state's rules set the exact steps, and the exam tests them as written.
Tools to avoid
The EPA warns that razor-type callus shavers can cause injuries needing medical care, and some states, such as Alabama, ban them. The CDC notes that some states ban fish pedicures because the fish cannot be disinfected between customers and the tubs cannot be cleaned with fish in them.
When a client bleeds
- Do not touch the blood. Have the client hold a cotton ball or tissue on the cut.
- Follow universal precautions: treat all human blood and certain body fluids as if known to be infectious for HIV, hepatitis B and other bloodborne pathogens.
- Put disposable material that touched blood in a plastic bag, and disinfect implements with a product whose label shows a tuberculocidal claim.
Exposure incidents
An exposure incident is a client's blood reaching a worker's broken skin, eyes or mouth. Under OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard, the employer must then offer a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up at no cost to the worker.