QUESTIONS:
1. Diseases, germs and viruses collect on tanning beds and goggles unless disinfected properly. True/False
2. Every leading maker of bed and goggle sanitizing solution recommends mixing it fresh daily. True/False
3. You can use products to clean sunbeds and eyewear that aren’t specifically made for tanning salon use.
True/False
4. Tanners should keep eye protection in a resealable plastic bag or box to prevent contamination. True/False
5. A quaternary strip is used to test sunlamp output. True/False
6. Sunbeds must always be cleaned with a fresh towel. True/False
7. To disinfect goggles, dip them in solution for two minutes. True/False
8. To disinfect a tanning bed, spray solution on the acrylic shield and wipe it immediately. True/False
9. The law requires that eyewear be provided to tanners free of charge.
True/False/Only in some states
10. Keeping a record of when your goggle and bed disinfectant solution was last prepared is helpful when your state salon inspector stops in. True/False
ANSWERS:
1. True. Most surfaces will hold bacteria and germs that make us sick. It is important to clean goggles and tanning beds with hospital-grade disinfectant made for acrylic shields. Moving to disposable eyewear can eliminate disease transmitted by shared goggles.
2. True. Manufacturers follow the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which require that disinfectant solution be mixed daily – it loses strength over time.
3. False. The Florida Department of Health warns salon operators that products containing alcohol can quickly damage sunbed acrylics and eyewear lenses.
4. True. It is recommended that tanners keep personal eyewear in a re-closeable plastic bag to keep them (goggles or disposables) free from contaminants.
5. False. A quaternary litmus paper strip tests the strength of disinfecting solution, and should be used every time you mix disinfectant to reach the most effective strength: 660ppm.
6. True. Using one towel to clean multiple beds can spread disease.
7. False. Goggles need a ten-minute soak to be disinfected. Most manufacturers recommend rinsing in clean water and drying thoroughly before storing in a clean covered container.
8. False. To disinfect a bed, you need to leave disinfectant on the acrylic surface for ten minutes, multiple times per day. You can sanitize (a lower level of cleaning than disinfection) by leaving a solution on for one minute. If you wipe immediately, you are not effectively cleaning the bed.
9. Only in some states. The FDA only requires tanners to wear eye protection during UV sessions; individual states have expanded on this. States that require eye protection be provided for free are TX, PA and NY. It is no longer required in NJ and OH. States that DO NOT ALLOW shared eyewear are NH, IA and KY. This is to prevent colds, viruses and flu from spreading via improperly cleaned eyewear. All other states allow the salon owner to determine how they provide eye protection.
10. True. It’s a great idea to create a log to show an inspector that you take salon sanitation very seriously and are properly mixing a completely new batch of solution daily (don’t just add fluid to it).
Scoring:
9-10 You are Squeaky Clean!
7-8 A bit more polish is in order.
6 or less … It’s time to clean up your act!
