2.4 First Aid, Blood Exposure & Universal Precautions
Key Takeaways
- Universal / Standard Precautions mandate treating all human blood and body fluids as if infectious for HIV, HBV, HCV, and other bloodborne pathogens.
- The 8-step Oregon Blood Exposure Incident Protocol requires stopping service immediately, putting on gloves, cleaning/bandaging the wound, disinfecting all contaminated surfaces, double-bagging contaminated items with biohazard labels, and washing hands before resuming service.
- Oregon rules strictly prohibit solid alum styptic pencils due to cross-contamination; only liquid or powdered astringents applied with single-use applicators are permitted.
- Salon chemical eye exposures require immediate flushing at an eyewash station for 15 to 20 minutes continuously.
- Salon employers must maintain a written Exposure Control Plan and offer free Hepatitis B vaccinations to occupationally exposed nail technicians.
2.4 First Aid, Blood Exposure & Universal Precautions
Despite meticulous technique, accidental skin nicks, cuticle cuts, or chemical splashes can occur during manicuring and pedicuring services. In Oregon, licensed nail technicians must be fully trained to execute immediate blood exposure protocols, apply Universal Precautions, and deliver appropriate first aid to protect clients and salon staff from bloodborne pathogen cross-contamination.
1. OSHA Universal & Standard Precautions
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). Central to this standard is the concept of Universal Precautions (expanded as Standard Precautions by the CDC).
Core Concept
Under Universal Precautions, nail technicians must treat ALL human blood and body fluids (including skin secretions, wound exudates, and tissue fluids) as if they are known to be infected with bloodborne pathogens such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Technicians cannot rely on client self-reporting or physical appearance to gauge infection risk.
2. Oregon Step-by-Step Blood Exposure Protocol (OAR 817-015)
If a client or technician suffers an accidental cut, puncture, or abrasion that causes bleeding during a service, the practitioner must IMMEDIATELY halt the service and perform the official 8-step Oregon Blood Exposure Incident Protocol:
| Step | Action Required | Specific Regulatory Procedure |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | STOP Service | Immediately stop the manicuring or pedicuring procedure. Inform the client calmly. |
| Step 2 | Put On Gloves | Don protective nitrile gloves immediately to protect hands from blood contact. |
| Step 3 | Clean & Apply Antiseptic | Clean the injured area with an antiseptic wipe, alcohol pad, or hydrogen peroxide. |
| Step 4 | Bandage Wound | Cover the cleaned wound completely with a sterile adhesive bandage to seal the skin. |
| Step 5 | Clean & Disinfect Station | Clean all blood-contaminated tools, tables, and equipment. Submerge metal tools in EPA-registered high-level (tuberculocidal / HBV-effective) disinfectant for 10 minutes. Wipes table with high-level disinfectant. |
| Step 6 | Double-Bag Contaminated Waste | Place all single-use contaminated items (gloves, cotton wipes, used bandage wrappers, wooden sticks) into a sealable plastic bag. Place that bag into a second plastic bag (double-bagging) and seal securely. |
| Step 7 | Affix Biohazard Label | Label the double-bagged package with a biohazard sticker or symbol (or dispose in a designated biohazard trash container). |
| Step 8 | Sanitize Hands & Resume | Remove gloved hands, wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, don fresh gloves, and resume or conclude service with clean tools. |
⚠️ EXAM TRAP: PROHIBITED STYPTIC PENCILS: Under Oregon OAR 817-015, the use of **solid alum Shared solid styptic pencils create cross-contamination risk; prefer single-use styptic powder or liquid with a disposable applicator. Solid styptic pencils harbour blood and bacteria from prior applications, causing direct cross-contamination between clients. Practitioners may ONLY use liquid astringent or powdered alum applied exclusively with a single-use disposable applicator (such as a cotton swab) that is discarded immediately after application!
3. Salon First Aid Standards & Emergency Procedures
Oregon licensed facilities must maintain a fully stocked, accessible First Aid Kit on premises.
Mandatory Salon First Aid Kit Contents
- Sterile adhesive bandages (various sizes)
- Sterile gauze pads and medical adhesive tape
- Antiseptic wipes / skin disinfectant spray
- Liquid or powdered alum (astringent)
- Protective nitrile gloves
- CPR face shield / resuscitation mask
- Eyewash solution / sterile saline solution
- Scissors and tweezers
First Aid Protocols for Specific Salon Emergencies
A. Chemical Splash in Eyes
If acetone, monomer liquid, acid primer, or disinfectant splashes into a client's or technician's eyes:
- Immediately lead the victim to the salon Eyewash Station or sink.
- Flush eyes continuously with tepid water for a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes, holding eyelids open to ensure chemical dilution.
- Consult the product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Section 4 for specific chemical emergency instructions.
- Seek immediate emergency medical care (call 911 or transport to urgent care).
B. Thermal or Chemical Skin Burns
- Thermal Burns (from hot paraffin wax or e-file friction): Cool the burn immediately under cool running water for at least 10 minutes. Do NOT apply ice, butter, or heavy ointments.
- Chemical Burns (from methacrylate monomers or acid primer): Flush skin with large volumes of running water for 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing.
C. Accidental Ingestion or Inhalation
If high concentrations of chemical vapors cause dizziness or loss of consciousness, move the individual to fresh air immediately. In case of accidental chemical ingestion, call Poison Control immediately—do NOT induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel.
4. Employer Exposure Control Plan & Vaccine Rules
Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030, salon owners and facility license holders employing staff must establish a written Exposure Control Plan updated annually. Key provisions include:
- Hepatitis B Vaccination: Employers must offer the Hepatitis B vaccine series free of charge to all employees who have potential occupational exposure to blood.
- Post-Exposure Evaluation: If a blood exposure incident occurs, the employer must provide confidential medical evaluation, blood testing, and post-exposure prophylaxis at no cost to the worker.
- Sharps Disposal: Any sharp implements (broken glass, razor blades used in calloused feet removals—noting that razor blade foot shaving is illegal in Oregon!) must be disposed of in a puncture-resistant, rigid Sharps Container labeled Biohazard.
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.
Under Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR 817-015), which item is strictly PROHIBITED for stopping minor bleeding during a salon blood exposure incident?
If liquid acetone or monomer chemical splashes into a client's eyes, what is the mandatory immediate first aid procedure?
What is the proper waste disposal procedure for single-use items contaminated with blood during a salon service under Oregon OAR 817-015?
What principle requires nail technicians to treat all human blood and body fluids as if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens?