2.3 Blood and Body Fluid Exposure, Gloves & First Aid

Why this section matters

The general theory outline includes Standard Precautions for exposure incidents: first aid kit and blood-spill disinfection and disposal, and the written practical lists first aid and exposure incident procedures. On the state exam the same material appears under infection control requirements. Because Minnesota's procedure is in rule, use its exact sequence.

Bloodborne pathogens and standard precautions

Bloodborne pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms carried in blood and other potentially infectious body fluids. The three most cited are:

Because carriers often have no symptoms, salons use standard precautions: treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious. Employers covered by OSHA must also have a written exposure control plan and provide gloves and training.

Minnesota's exposure procedure (Minn. R. 2105.0375, subp. 5)

A licensee must stop the service whenever an unexpected cut, abrasion or other injury exposes blood or other body fluids, or when blood or body fluid appears as a result of a service, and then:

1. A. Put on gloves.
2. B. If possible, rinse the wound with running water.
3. C. Clean the wound with an antiseptic solution and cover it with a sterile bandage.
4. D. Protect the wound during the rest of the service. If the wound is on the licensee's hand, wear a glove or finger cover over it. If the wound is on the client, wear gloves on both hands to complete the service.
5. E. Bag the waste. Put blood-stained tissue, cotton and other contaminated material in a plastic bag, seal it and discard it.
6. F. Before resuming, remove from service any equipment, tools and implements that touched blood or body fluid, clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces, and then clean and wash hands with soap and water.
7. G. Reprocess tools. Clean contaminated tools, implements and equipment, then disinfect or sterilize them under subps. 3, 4 and 4a.

Glove rules (subp. 7, item O)

Wash hands and wrists before putting on gloves. Change gloves during a service if a glove is damaged or touches a non-disinfected surface, object or a third person. Discard gloves at the end of every service. Gloves are required when:

• performing extractions, waxing or hair removal
• using a device or implement that penetrates the skin
• working on skin where the barrier is not intact
• the licensee's own hand skin is not intact
• mixing or touching disinfectant solutions
• the manufacturer's directions recommend or require them

Sharps and single-use items

• Lancets and extraction needles are single-use and go into a sharps container: closed, puncture-resistant, leak-proof and labeled with the biohazard symbol (Minn. R. 2105.0010, subps. 11h and 11i; 2105.0375, subp. 13).
• Only single-use sterile lancets may be used (Minn. R. 2105.0377, item I), and lancet extractions are an advanced practice esthetician service.
• Licensees must not perform services on clients with open wounds or sores in the area to be serviced (subp. 7, item G).

First aid kits (Minn. R. 2105.0370, item A)

Every salon must maintain a readily accessible first aid kit meeting ANSI Z308.1-2015 or the most recent version of that standard. Homebound permit holders must carry one when not working in a licensed nursing home. A compliant kit includes items such as adhesive bandages, sterile pads, antiseptic, gloves and a burn treatment, and it should be restocked after use.

Minor bleeding during a service

Apply light pressure with sterile gauze. If a styptic is used, choose a liquid or powder styptic applied with a single-use applicator; a styptic pencil touched to a client's skin cannot be disinfected and should never be shared.

Licensee cut vs. client cut