Hairdressing, body art and piercing businesses

All hairdressing, body art and piercing businesses are required to operate in a safe and hygienic manner, meeting their general duty under the South Australian Public Health Act 2011. Appropriate precautions to ensure hygienic practices include:

• Washing hands immediately before and after procedures, as well as after handling cash, toileting, answering the phone or other interruptions.
• Wearing disposable gloves when exposure to blood or bodily fluids is likely. Gloves should be changed between procedures and after interruptions. When changing gloves, wash hands thoroughly before putting on the new pair to prevent cross contamination.
• Single use implements can be used to prevent infection (e.g. single use needles for tattooing). Fittings and equipment which are not single use need to be properly cleaned and sterilised before each use as appropriate.
• Handling and disposing of sharps appropriately.
• Maintaining the premises in a clean and hygienic state.
• Keeping clothing clean, with no exposed cuts, abrasions or wounds.
• Considering vaccination against Hepatitis B.

Guidelines for the hairdressing and skin penetration industry can be found here:

SA Health: Hairdressing, Body Art and Piercing

Notification

All hairdressers, beauty salons, tattoo artists and other skin penetration operators can notify their business to Council using the following form:

Notification form: Beauty/hair/skin penetration business

Inspections and Self assessment

Hairdresser inspections and self assessment

Council has an online self assessment tool for use in hairdressing businesses which are considered low risk. This is designed to confirm that your business is operated in accordance with the Guidelines.

Hairdresser self assessment

Inspections can occur on an ad-hoc basis or as part of a complaint investigation.

Body art and piercing business inspections

Inspections will be conducted on a routine basis and additional inspections may occur when required or if a complaint is received. Ad-hoc inspections may also be undertaken.

Complaints

Skin infections, head lice and blood infections can be spread in hairdressing, body art and piercing businesses. Complaints regarding unsafe practices in these businesses within the Whyalla Council area can be submitted via email to council@whyalla.sa.gov.au or by phone at 8640 3444.