2.4 First Aid, Blood Exposure & Universal Precautions
Key Takeaways
Universal Precautions treat blood and other potentially infectious materials as infectious; where body-fluid types cannot be distinguished, treat all as potentially infectious.
OAR 817-010-0060 separates blood-contaminated nonsharp waste from contaminated disposable sharps: the latter require a biohazard-labeled sharps container.
OAR 817-010-0055 requires dispensing products without contaminating the unused portion; do not reuse a direct-contact styptic product across clients.
For chemical eye exposure, begin rinsing immediately with room-temperature water for at least 15–20 minutes, then obtain Poison Control or medical guidance.
Employers with occupationally exposed employees need a written Exposure Control Plan and must offer hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure evaluation without charge.
2.4 First Aid, Blood Exposure & Universal Precautions
A skin nick, puncture, or chemical splash calls for a prompt, organized response. Stop the service, protect the injured person and yourself, and use the first-aid and exposure procedures you have been trained to perform. A cosmetic service must not continue over an active injury simply to finish an appointment.
1. Universal Precautions and Occupational Exposure
Under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, Universal Precautions treat human blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) as infectious. If body-fluid types cannot be distinguished, treat them all as potentially infectious. A client's appearance or assurance of good health does not replace precautions.
Use appropriate gloves and other protection for the anticipated exposure, avoid bare-hand contact with blood, and perform hand hygiene after removing gloves. Report an employee exposure promptly through the workplace procedure so medical evaluation can begin.
Employers with employees who have occupational exposure must maintain a written Exposure Control Plan, review it at least annually, and offer hepatitis B vaccination and post-exposure evaluation and follow-up without charge. The requirement depends on occupational exposure, not simply on having a salon business license.
2. A Practical Response to a Bleeding Incident
The following is an educational checklist, not a verbatim state-issued eight-step protocol. Oregon's relevant sanitation provisions are in OAR chapter 817, division 10. The rules below govern product handling, contaminated surfaces, and waste; first aid and employee exposure procedures also apply.
| Step | Practical action | What to remember |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop the service | Set down the implement and explain what happened calmly. |
| 2 | Protect against contact | Use suitable disposable gloves before assisting with blood or contaminated materials. |
| 3 | Give appropriate first aid | Use your training to control minor bleeding and clean and cover a minor wound. Obtain medical help for serious or uncontrolled bleeding. |
| 4 | Isolate contaminated implements | Keep them away from clean tools and unused supplies; do not place them straight back into storage. |
| 5 | Clean and disinfect | Apply the applicable tool-cleaning rules and disinfect contaminated surfaces with the required high-level solution, following the manufacturer's directions. |
| 6 | Contain nonsharp waste | Place blood/OPIM waste in a glove or plastic bag, then in a covered container with a garbage liner immediately after the service. |
| 7 | Separate disposable sharps | Place contaminated disposable sharp-edged or pointed implements in the specified sharps container. |
| 8 | Finish safely | Remove gloves, wash hands, report any employee exposure, and reassess whether service can safely continue. Do not work over the injured area. |
Disinfection Is Product-Specific
OAR 817-010-0101(4) requires a high-level disinfecting solution for surfaces contaminated with blood or OPIM, used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Follow the applicable dilution, contact time, and material compatibility requirements. Ten minutes is not a universal substitute for the label's contact time. Keep clean implements separate from contaminated ones throughout cleanup.
Nonsharp Waste and Sharps Are Different
OAR 817-010-0060(5)–(7) specifies a glove or plastic bag followed by a lined, covered container for blood/OPIM waste. Contaminated disposable sharp-edged or pointed nonelectrical implements instead go into a puncture-resistant, leak-proof, closable container bearing the biohazard symbol. Keep sealable bags and applicable biohazard labels available. Do not describe every contaminated cotton pad as requiring two sealed bags and a biohazard label; that is not what this rule says.
Prevent Contamination of Styptic Products
OAR 817-010-0055 requires products contacting skin to be dispensed without contaminating the unused portion. A product touched directly to one client's bleeding skin must not then be reused on another client. A suitable single-use applicator and a separately dispensed portion can prevent contaminating a shared supply; discard the used portion and applicator. Follow the product's intended use and your training. The rule is a contamination-prevention requirement, not a blanket statement that every solid alum product is specifically banned by OAR 817-015.
3. First-Aid Supplies and Chemical Exposures
Keep accessible first-aid supplies appropriate to the workplace, such as gloves, dressings, and bandages, and know where to find product Safety Data Sheets (SDS). This is a practical preparedness list, not an exhaustive list of items mandated by Oregon cosmetology rules.
For an eye splash, begin rinsing immediately. Poison Control recommends plenty of room-temperature water for at least 15–20 minutes, then expert advice. Do not delay rinsing to search for a document, and do not attempt to neutralize the chemical with another chemical. Follow the SDS and Poison Control's directions about further care; call 911 for severe symptoms or an emergency.
For thermal burns, cool promptly with clean running water and seek care for serious burns; do not apply ice or butter. For liquid chemical skin exposure, remove contaminated clothing when safe and rinse promptly, following the SDS and professional guidance. American Red Cross burn guidance explains the distinction between thermal and chemical burns. For inhalation, move to fresh air only when it is safe to do so. For ingestion, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222; do not induce vomiting unless directed.
Renewal Link: Bloodborne Pathogens Training
OAR 817-008-0000 requires field-of-practice renewal attestations of current BBP training, with completion required by July 1, 2025 for renewals under that rule. Keep certificates for five years.
Which practice conflicts with the contamination-prevention requirement in OAR 817-010-0055?
Using the same styptic pencil directly on the bleeding skin of multiple clients
Liquid astringent applied with a cotton swab
Powdered alum applied with disposable gauze
Sterile adhesive bandage
If a salon chemical splashes into a client's eyes, what should you begin immediately?
Apply soothing eye drops and close eyelids for 5 minutes
Rinse the eyes with plenty of room-temperature water for at least 15–20 minutes, then obtain expert guidance
Wipe the outer eye area with a dry paper towel and apply ice
Neutralize the chemical by rinsing eyes with mild vinegar solution
Under OAR 817-010-0060, how should blood-contaminated nonsharp waste such as a used cotton pad be disposed of?
Place items directly in the open station trash receptacle
Flush items down the salon sanitary drain system
Place it in a glove or plastic bag, then in a covered container with a garbage liner immediately after the service
Soak items in quats for 10 minutes and dispose in regular trash
Which infection-control principle treats human blood and other potentially infectious materials as infectious, regardless of a client's apparent health?
OSHA Hazard Communication Protocol
EPA Efficacy Standard
State Board Authorization Rule
Universal Precautions
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