Belava’s Marbled Jade Pedicure Tub accommodates the company’s sanitary disposable liners.

Belava’s Marbled Jade Pedicure Tub accommodates the company’s sanitary disposable liners.

As of July 1, 2015, California nail techs using disposable pedicure liners can skip the 10-minute disinfecting soak of their pedicure basin between clients. This long-awaited clarification of the rules was one of a number of changes instituted by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology that affect nail techs’ day-to-day business and safety procedures.

“It’s very exciting to have the new liner legislation in place in California,” says Belava’s Alison Till-Harris. “We often heard complaints from technicians who were given citations during inspections for not completely cleaning and disinfecting the pedicure tub even though they were using a new disposable liner for each customer, creating a barrier between the tub and the pedicure soak.” Under the new legislation, once the pedicure liner has been disposed of, the tub must be scrubbed of visible debris with a brush and liquid soap, then rinsed and wiped with a dry paper towel. In addition the salon must maintain at least five liners per tub. “The most important rule to follow is to keep a current Pedicure Equipment Cleaning Log. We have forms available for download on our website,” says Till-Harris.

This spa chair from Contego Spa uses air jets that flow through plastic piping within a disposable tub liner that attaches directly to the pedicure tub.

This spa chair from Contego Spa uses air jets that flow through plastic piping within a disposable tub liner that attaches directly to the pedicure tub.

“It’s very important to understand that only approved liners can be used — a trash bag is not considered appropriate, as it can tear very easily,” notes safety and compliance expert Monika Herzog Butler, founder of Salon Inspector, LLC (www.saloninspector.com). “Only liners specifically manufactured for disposable systems are permitted for use and the salon must stock enough liners to ensure a new liner can be used for each client. In addition, the regulations specify that pedicure tubs must be stored in a clean and covered place. I recommended to my clients to free up space inside a cabinet — just covering the tubs might not be considered sufficient by an inspector.”

To see a detailed explanation of the California Board’s revised health and safety regulations, including several minor modifications to standard disinfection procedures, go to www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/laws_regs/hs_explanation.pdf.

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