Health, safety and hygiene are of utmost importance when offering electrolysis and there are legal requirements that must be strictly observed.
The interpretation of particular laws relating to the application of electrolysis is not standardised and varies across the UK. To check yours byelaws, contact the Environmental Health Department at your Local Authority,
The following guidelines outline good professional practice:
MODEL BYELAWS GUIDE
(in accordance with the Local Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1982).
In order to ensure the cleanliness of the premises, a person carrying out electrolysis should comply with the following:
- The treatment area should be used solely for carrying out treatments (i.e. not used as a living space, or for consuming food).
- The premises should be kept in a good state of repair, so that the space can be effectively cleaned. This includes all walls, windows, partitions, floors, floor coverings, internal doors, ceilings, cupboards, work surfaces, shelves and light fittings.
- All furniture and fittings in the treatment area should be kept clean and in a good state of repair so that they can be effectively cleaned.
- All needles used should be single-use and disposable. After use, they should be disposed of in a clearly labelled sharps box. The sharps box and its contents should be disposed of safely (i.e. incinerated by a local authority or specialist company) at regular intervals.
- All treatment waste materials should be placed in a washable, lined and leak-proof bin, which should be emptied at least once per working day, sealed and disposed of safely, in accordance with Local Authority requirements for clinical waste.
- Work surfaces should be kept clean, dry and disinfected at regular intervals.
- The treatment couch should have a smooth, impervious surface, to be wiped down with disinfectant as needed, but not less than once a day and immediately following any contamination with blood or other bodily fluids.
- The treatment couch should be covered with a paper towel and disposed of and replaced for each client.
- A ‘No Smoking’ sign should be clearly displayed in the treatment room.
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PROPRIETOR
- Adequate storage provisions should be available, which should be clean and suitable for avoiding contamination.
- All items, such as towels, gowns and protective coverings should be clean and in good repair and should not have been used with any previous client.
- An adequate, constant supply of clean hot and cold water should be readily available at the premises.
- Suitable and sufficient washing facilities should be made available for the sole use of persons engaged in carrying out treatments, including hot and cold water and sanitising soap or detergents.
- Suitable and sufficient sanitary provisions for the use of persons engaged in carrying out treatments.
- Suitable and sufficient gas/electric supply, in compliance with relevant byelaws.
- An adequate supply of record cards for the purpose of recording client information pertaining to electrolysis treatment. Records should be retained on the premises for two years (see Data Protection Act).
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ELECTROLOGIST
- That any needle or other implement used in the treatment should be sterile until used.
- That their hands are washed and dried before and after all treatments and protected during treatment with disposable gloves.
- That they are wearing clean and washable protective clothing and disposable protective clothing (i.e. plastic aprons), where appropriate.
- That any open boil, sore, cut, or wound is fully covered by an impermeable dressing and disposable gloves.
- That they refrain from smoking or consuming food/drink in the treatment area.
- That they carry out a full and thorough consultation, recording the following details on a record card: client’s full name and address; all treatment dates; name of the person carrying out the treatment.
