609 Health Hazards in Nail Salons

Biological Hazards

Biological hazards include primarily bloodborne pathogens, bacteria, fungi, and other viruses.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Since it's possible to be infected with a bloodborne pathogen if exposed to human blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) while working in the nail salon, it's important to use safe work practices (see Module 2) to eliminate or reduce that exposure. The infectious bloodborne pathogens to which you may be exposed include:

• hepatitis B (HVB),
• hepatitis C (HVC), and
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),

You can also be exposed to fungal infections of the nails and feet by touching a client’s infected skin or by using equipment that has not been cleaned.

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