Lord Hunt of Kings Heath – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 2016-02-08.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why beauty clinics undertaking nail care are not required to use autoclaves to sterilise their equipment to prevent fungal infections.
Baroness Altmann
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 require businesses offering beauty treatments to ensure that any risks to their client’s health from exposure to hazardous substances including micro-organisms, are prevented or effectively controlled. The duty extends to preventing or controlling client’s exposure to the risk of contracting fungal infections. The regulations do not prescribe what specific control measures are necessary. These will be based on the type of treatment carried out and the risks of cross-infection.
Where sterilisation is required, autoclaves are the most effective and efficient means to do so, and should be used especially for packaged items and items which have hollow parts or cavities. However alternative methods such as steam sterilisers and disinfectants can be used for simple items such as tweezers.
