Identified below are ten state health and safety regulations that salon and barbershop owners commonly violate. Avoiding these common mistakes can save you from being cited; moreover, it helps the Board achieve its ultimate goal—consumer protection.

The following regulations can be found in Title 16, Division 9 of the California Code of Regulations.

1. 904(a)—a copy of the board's health and safety rules shall be conspicuously posted in:
   
   1. Reception areas of both schools and establishments and;
   2. Theory rooms of schools.
   
   Contact the Board at (800) 952-5210 to obtain a free copy of the most updated health and safety poster.



2. 978(a)(5)—each container shall contain sufficient disinfectant solution to allow for the total immersion of tools and instruments.
   
   Tools being disinfected must be completely immersed in an EPA-registered disinfectant with demonstrated bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal activity.



3. 979(a)—before use upon a patron, all non-electrical instruments shall be disinfected in the following manner:
   
   1. Clean with soap or detergent and water.
   2. Then totally immersed in an EPA-registered disinfectant with demonstrated bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal activity, used according to manufacturer's instructions.
   
   Ensure that you are following the manufacturer's mixing instructions. An overly-diluted disinfectant mixture may not be potent enough to eliminate bacteria.



4. 979(b)—the disinfectant solution shall:
   
   1. Remain covered at all times.
   2. Be changed at least once per week or whenever visibly cloudy or dirty.



5. 979(c)—all instruments that have been used on a patron or soiled in any manner shall be placed in a properly labeled receptacle.
   
   If you do not disinfect your tools immediately after each client, store them in a receptacle labeled “dirty” or “soiled”



6. 979(d)—all disinfected instruments shall be stored in a clean, covered place which is labeled as such.
   
   Ensure that disinfected tools are stored in a clean, closed receptacle that is labeled as “clean” and that the tools are also stored separately from the soiled tools.



7. 981(a)—all instruments and supplies which come into direct contact with a patron and cannot be disinfected shall be disposed of in a waste receptacle immediately after use.
   
   Items that cannot be disinfected may never be re-used. This includes, but is not limited to, emery boards, buffers, sponges, cotton pads, neck strips, and wooden wax sticks. These items must be thrown away immediately after each use.



8. 988(a)—all liquids, creams, and other cosmetic preparations shall be kept in clean and closed containers.
   
   Board inspectors commonly find this violation in wax and wax pots. Ensure that your wax and wax containers are closed and kept clean.



9. 988(b)—all bottles and containers shall be distinctly and correctly labeled to disclose its contents. All bottles and containers containing poisonous substances shall be additionally and distinctly marked as such.
   
   Ensure that all bottles and containers are labeled according to its contents, including water spray bottles. Simply label your water spray bottle “water”.



10. 988(c)—when only a portion of a cosmetic preparation is to be used on a patron, it shall be removed from the container in such a way as not to contaminate the remaining portion.
    
    Stay away from double-dipping wax sticks into the main wax supply.

— Reprinted from the California Stylist, October 2009 issue