MM Chapter 03: Sanitation Hygiene and Safety

While at work, you may be required to lift heavy objects such as laundry, bulk spa products, or housekeeping supplies. Always use good body mechanics to prevent back injury. You will also come into contact with strong cleaning products and should wear heavy gloves, a face mask, and protective eyewear to prevent contact with your […]

To ensure the safety of the client, stay up-to-date with your CPR and first aid training. A first aid kit should be kept in each treatment room along with hydrocortisone cream, which can be used to decrease any skin reactions. Never give massage without first taking a thorough health history. If you are concerned that

The facility must be accessible to a wide array of clients, including those who are unsteady on their feet and those using wheelchairs. Assess the parking area, common areas, equipment, and fire plan: Parking area: Begin an assessment of the facility in the parking area. Is the pavement smooth and even, or are cracks or

When should health professionals use Standard Precautions? The simple answer is ALWAYS. If you follow the recommendations in this chapter, you are practicing Standard Precautions. Let’s briefly summarize here: Knowledge: You understand the basics of disease types, infectious pathogens, and the ways that infectious pathogens are transmitted. Professional Hygiene: You practice good oral hygiene and

Massage practitioners are rarely in situations where they come into contact with blood or body fluid, but it can happen. For example, a client may experience a leaky tampon and soil the massage linens and the massage table with blood. A client may suddenly experience nausea and vomit in the session room or get a

As you already know from previous discussions, pathogens can travel in the air in small droplets. Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette aims to limit pathogens spread in this manner inside the health care facility. These practices apply to both clients and therapists. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue. If

Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to gloves, face masks, protective eyewear, and special clothing health care professionals use to protect themselves from contracting a disease. Massage therapists use vinyl gloves to protect against the transmission of disease under certain conditions. Use vinyl gloves: Any time the potential exists to come into direct contact with blood

A bloodborne pathogen or bloodborne disease is one that can be spread through contact with contaminated blood or body fluids. The most common bloodborne pathogens are HIV, hepatitis B (HVB), hepatitis C (HVC), and viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF). HIV/AIDS The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS. HIV is transmitted through body fluids including semen, vaginal

A clean facility has a lower risk of pathogen transmission. To provide a clean environment, pay attention to the proper use of cleaning products, sanitation of the treatment room and equipment, care of linens, proper product handling, and general housekeeping activities. Cleaning Products A variety of cleaning products can be used in the massage business.

As health care providers, massage therapists must adhere to the highest standards of personal hygiene. This includes cleanliness of the body and hair, wearing clean, appropriate clothing, removing jewelry, proper handwashing, and attending to issues like smoking and illness. Cleanliness of Body and Hair Shower daily and wash your hair on work days. Avoid using