Last month, I interviewed Mike DePeuw about how a salon owner should prepare for an inspection by a state authority. This month, we talk to an operator who has been inspected three times in five years and is sharing her inspection review. She hopes this will help you be ready!
“Inspectors always show up unannounced,” shared Rhonda Culligan, owner of Body Heat in Coral Springs, FL. “Inspectors want to catch you off-guard,” she added. “If you aren’t there, your staff will have to handle it, so you must have everyone ready for a surprise inspector visit at any time.”
Want to see Rhonda’s Inspection Report and the Inspector Checklist? Email Brenda@WinkEase.com, and I’ll email them to you.
What will inspectors look for? Rhonda explained, “I’ve been inspected three times in five years, and each inspector focused on different things. One wanted to see all my sunbed manuals, one wanted to see my Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Manual, and one inspector was very thorough and went through everything!” That thorough inspector used a lamp meter to test the UV output of each tanning system, checked the heat output from each bed, checked Rhonda’s lamp hours and compatibility, and looked for cracked acrylic shields. One of Rhonda’s acrylics had a small crack and she had a replacement on order, which was important, as she would have been fined if she didn’t replace it within 30 days! This inspector also went through her SOP Manual, tested her bed sanitizer, made sure she had litmus strips (quat test strips) to test it, and wanted to see her written procedure for mixing solution. When she didn’t have written instructions on how to mix the bed cleaner, Rhonda got written up! The inspector also looked at Body Heat’s injury report file – which you need to have, even if you haven’t had any injuries on the premises.
“She said I had the cleanest salon in South Florida, which thrilled me!” Rhonda exclaimed. “She told me some salons use the same towel to wipe down several beds – just spreading sweat and tingle lotions and body fluids from bed to bed. Or, salon staff uses the same towel the tanner just used to wipe themselves down. It’s already contaminated! We use a fresh towel for every bed.”
As for eye protection, Rhonda shared, “I keep disposables right on the counter, so each tanner can take a pair.” She also displays goggles and has several eyewear signs posted. “The inspector knew I was serious about eye protection,” Rhonda said. Rhonda also shocked me with her own story. “I tanned for ten years at this salon before I bought it. I thought the gold disposable eyewear they had in a bowl on the counter were nipple-covers! No one ever told me to wear eye protection. It’s very different here, now.”
