The purpose of the Guideline on the Public Health Standards of Practice for Hairdressing (PDF 511KB) is to provide appropriate information to the hairdressing industry on such issues as infection risk, decontamination of equipment, disinfectants, operator hygiene and maintenance of cleanliness standards for hairdressing premises, to assist hairdressers in meeting their general duty under the South Australian Public Health Act 2011 (the Public Health Act) to prevent or minimise any harm to public health resulting from their activities.
It is essential for hairdressers to know and understand the health implications of the procedures carried out and the precautions that must be taken to minimise health risks.
Where sterilisation of equipment is required, or where a hairdressing salon also offers skin penetration procedures (including waxing, pedicures and permanent makeup), the Guideline on the Public Health Standards of Practice for Hairdressing (PDF 511KB) must be read in conjunction with the Guidelines on the Safe and Hygienic Practice of Skin Penetration.
Authorised officers are not expected to assess hairdressers’ technique. However, they can ensure that certain levels of hygiene exist.
Under the Public Health Act, Authorised Officers have the power to:
Inspections will generally be performed on a routine basis and additional inspections will occur if complaints are received or investigations are required. Random inspections may also be undertaken.
For full details, refer to section 2 of the Guideline on the Public Health Standards of Practice for Hairdressing (PDF 511KB)
Operators must assume that all blood and other body substances are potential sources of infection. To minimise transfer of micro-organisms, operators must perform all procedures in a safe and hygienic manner, following all infection control techniques and procedures.
By adopting the infection control techniques and procedures outlined in section 3 of the Guideline on the Public Health Standards of Practice for Hairdressing (PDF 511KB), operators will minimise the risk of transmission of blood-borne and other infectious diseases to clients and themselves.
If poor infection control techniques and procedures are not followed, the infections can be spread which include:
Broken skin or infection on exposed parts of the body of the operator should be kept covered with a waterproof plaster or handy tape. Single-use disposable gloves must be worn if the procedure involves skin penetration.
Section 4 of the Guideline on the Public Health Standards of Practice for Hairdressing (PDF 511KB) provides information on other hygienic practices to use including:
All equipment must be cleaned and or sterilised to a level appropriate for their intended use. Any item dropped on the floor must be cleaned and dried, or discarded.
Section 5 of the Guideline on the Public Health Standards of Practice for Hairdressing (PDF 511KB) provides a guide on cleaning requirements for equipment commonly used in the hairdressing industry.
Section 6 of the Guideline on the Public Health Standards of Practice for Hairdressing (PDF 511KB) provides detailed information on the environmental requirements as well the appropriate cleaning products, dilution and process for specified work areas. Mobile hairdressers and those that work from home must ensure that cleanliness of equipment and personal hygiene standards are also maintained.
Below is a summary of the environmental requirements:
Hairdressing procedures require the following environmental considerations:
Cleaning is also essential in providing a professionally competent, safe and hygienic service which includes the minimum cleaning requirements. These include:
In accordance with the South Australian Public Health (General) Regulations, a suitable rubbish bin must be provided for the containment of soiled tissues, paper, swabs, disposable products and other wastes.
The owner, operator or occupier of the premises must take reasonable steps to ensure that any refuse stored on the premises does not create a public health risk. It should be disposed of as often as appropriate for the nature of the refuse, but in any event at least once per week.
The owner, operator or occupier of any premises where a container for the storage of refuse is kept must take reasonable steps to ensure that the container is kept in a clean and sound condition.
Under the Public Health Act, operators must ensure that any sharps used are disposed of into a suitable sharps container and disposed of via a licensed contractor. Contact your local council for suitable containers and collection times.
Operators must always handle sharps with care to minimise the possibility of injury to themselves, clients or people involved in the collection of discarded materials and refuse.
If a person is accidentally cut by scissors, clippers or any sharp implement, staff must act immediately. Steps include:
