While performing a chemical relaxer service in a California salon, a cosmetologist accidentally scratches a client's scalp with the back of a comb, causing a small amount of bleeding. According to California Code of Regulations, Title 16, what is the required response?
- AContinue the service after simply wiping the area with a clean towel
- BNote the incident in a log at the end of the day but take no immediate action
- CApply the relaxer directly over the scratch to seal it and continue processing
- DStop the service, use disposable gloves, apply an appropriate antiseptic and bandage, and properly discard or disinfect any tools or materials that contacted blood
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Stop the service, use disposable gloves, apply an appropriate antiseptic and bandage, and properly discard or disinfect any tools or materials that contacted blood
California Title 16 blood exposure procedures require the licensee to stop service immediately, wear gloves, apply an approved antiseptic and bandage to the wound, and properly dispose of single-use items or disinfect any multi-use tools/surfaces that contacted blood before continuing.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wiping with a towel does not meet infection control requirements for blood exposure.
- B. Blood exposure requires immediate action, not just after-the-fact logging.
- C. Applying chemical relaxer over an open wound is dangerous and violates safety protocol.
Blood Exposure Procedure (Title 16)
California regulation requiring salons to stop service, use gloves, treat the wound with antiseptic and bandage, and dispose of or disinfect any contaminated tools/materials immediately after a blood exposure incident.
- Single-use items contacting blood must be discarded immediately
- Multi-use tools must be cleaned and disinfected per EPA-registered disinfectant protocol
- Service should not resume until the area is treated and contamination addressed
Memory trick: See blood? Stop, glove up, bandage, and clean up before continuing.