(2) Ringworm of the beard (tinea barbae) is a mycotic (fungus) infection of
the bearded area. It is not as common as other ringworm infections. Infections in this
area usually are caused by bacteria, but fungi may be the cause in some cases.
b. Staphylococcal diseases are many and varied. Staphylococci are bacteria
and produce the common skin lesions of impetigo, boils, carbuncles, abscesses, and
infected lacerations. They are spread in the same manner as the dermatophytdoses
and are highly contagious.
3-8.
CONTROLS FOR HEALTH PROBLEMS IN BARBER AND BEAUTY SHOPS
The controls against health hazards in barber and beauty shops are essentially
regulations against unsafe and unsanitary practices and conditions. The basics for
these regulations are presented in AR 40-5 (see paragraph 3-2); they will be further
discussed and elaborated in this paragraph. The controls should be copied or included
in an SOP and posted in each barber and beauty shop. Common sense is important in
writing an SOP. If an SOP does not exist, the inspector should consult with the
installation surgeon or the preventive medicine officer.
a. Operators. Employee hygiene is an important consideration in controlling
disease or infection. Barber and beauty shop operators, due to their close association
with the customer, are usually a primary source of disease. The following is a
discussion of the sanitary regulations governing barber and beauty shop operators. An
inspector should check to see that the following requirements are being followed.
(1) Each employee of a barber or beauty shop is required to undergo a
complete physical examination before beginning work. Upon successful completion of
this examination, the employee is issued a health certificate stating that the individual
was examined on a certain date and found to be free of all communicable diseases.
The responsible installation surgeon usually issues and signs this card.
(2) The frequency of physical examinations, as well as the type of tests to be
conducted, is left to the discretion of the surgeon. Usually, a local SOP written by the
surgeon or the preventive medicine officer states this information.
(3) Barbers and beauticians should not work when ill with a communicable
disease or any condition which might be transferred to a patron.
(4) Epidemics or unusual disease outbreaks can lead to special medical
examinations. Special examinations also occur when epidemiological evidence points
to the barber or beauty shop operator as the immediate source of a disease.
(5) Before a barber or beautician returns to work after an illness, the
responsible surgeon may require an examination. This is done to determine that the
employee is no longer able to transmit the illness.
MD0164
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