Health and Safety Standards – General Requirements

The provisions of this §83.102 adopted to be effective March 1, 2006, 31 TexReg 1280; amended to be effective August 1, 2006, 31 TexReg 5952; amended to be effective February 17, 2012, 37 TexReg 681; amended to be effective January 15, 2018, 43 TexReg 81; amended to be effective January 1, 2023, 47 TexReg 8640

(a) All licensees shall clean their hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer prior to performing any services and as necessary during the service to ensure a client health and safety. All cosmetology establishments and licensees shall utilize clean and disinfected equipment, tools, implements, and supplies in accordance with this chapter, and shall employ good hygiene habits while providing cosmetology services.

(b) A licensee may not perform services on a client if the licensee 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.

**Some skin contagious conditions and infections are clearly visible, such as the skin rash** **pictured above, others are more difficult to see, so the manicure technician must be alert and look for any sign of a contagious condition.**

(c) Multi-use equipment, implements, tools or materials not addressed in this chapter shall be cleaned and disinfected before use on each client. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, chairs and dryers do not need to be disinfected prior to use for each client.

(d) Single-use equipment, implements, tools or porous items not addressed in this rule shall be discarded after use on a single client.

Unlike implements designed for multiple use, which must be disinfected between clients, but can be used again, single use implements like the wood sticks above must be discarded and a new one used for the next client

(e) Electrical equipment that cannot be immersed in liquid shall be wiped clean and disinfected prior to each use on a client.

(f) All clean and disinfected implements and materials when not in use shall be stored in a clean, dry, debris-free environment including but not limited to drawers, cases, tool belts, rolling trays, or hung from hooks. They must be stored separate from soiled implements and materials. Ultraviolet electrical sanitizers are permissible for use as a dry storage container. Non-cosmetology related supplies must be stored in separate drawers or locations.

(g) Shampoo bowls, and manicure tables shall be disinfected prior to use for each client.

(h) Floors in cosmetology establishments shall be thoroughly cleaned each day. Hair cuttings must be swept up and deposited in a closed receptacle after each hair cut.

**Floors must be kept sanitary, cleaned every day, and swept in between clients. Chairs are not required to be disinfected between clients, but it is a good idea to always keep them clean**

(i) All trash containers must be emptied daily and kept clean by washing or using plastic liners.

(j) Hand washing facilities, including hot and cold running water must be provided for employees.

(k) Clean towels shall be used on each client. Towels must be washed in hot water and chlorine bleach.

(l) Soiled towels shall be removed after use on each client and deposited in a suitable receptacle.

(m) Each cosmetology establishment shall keep all products used in the conduct of their business properly labeled in compliance with OSHA requirements.

(n) Hair cutting and shampoo capes shall be kept clean. A clean, (one-use) cape shall be used for each client or a sanitary neck strip or towel shall be used to keep the capes from coming into direct contact with the client’s neck.