California Code of Regulations
Title 16 - Professional and Vocational Regulations
Division 9 - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
Article 12 - Health and Safety
Section 977 - Health and Safety Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this article, shall have the following meanings:

Autoclave -- A device used to sterilize tools, equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure saturated steam.

Over-the-Counter -- Cosmetology, barbering or electrology products that are made available for purchase by the general public without a physician's prescription.

Cosmetics -- Substances used to enhance the appearance of the human body.

Contaminated -- The presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item's surface or visible debris such as dust, hair and skin.

Dermis -- The layer of skin just below the epidermis; the living layer of the skin.

Disinfect or Disinfection -- The use of chemicals to destroy harmful bacteria, viruses and pathogens on implements or tools to render them safe for use.

Disinfectant -- A product registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that has demonstrated bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal activity. The products used must include a label from the manufacturer that indicates the EPA registration and must be in liquid form to disinfect non-electrical tools and spray or wipe form to disinfect electrical tools and shears.

Dry Heat Sterilizer -- A device used to sterilize equipment and supplies by use of hot air that is nearly or completely free of water vapor.

Epidermis -- The outermost layer of the skin; the non-living layer of the skin.

Electrical Tools -- All tools used for barbering, cosmetology and electrology that require electricity to operate by means of an electrical cord, wireless charger, or battery. These include, but are not limited to clippers, blow dryers, curling irons and flat irons.

Foot Basin -- On a footspa chair, the open vessel that is filled with water and in which the client's feet are placed during a pedicure.

Hot Styling Tools -- Tools that utilize heat to style hair.

Non-Electrical Tools -- All tools used for barbering, cosmetology and electrology that do not use any form of electricity to operate. These include, but are not limited to shears, razors, cuticle nippers, cuticle pushers, nail clippers, metal files, metal smoothers, combs and hair clips.

Poisonous -- A substance that can cause sickness or death by entering or touching the body.

Sanitary -- A clean, healthy condition.

Soiled -- dirty; not clean.

Sterilize or Sterilization -- The process which removes or kills all forms of microbial life, including transmissible agents (such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and spore forms) by use of an autoclave or dry heat sterilizer.

Tub -- A standalone, open vessel that is filled with water and in which the client's feet are placed during a pedicure.

1. New section filed 3-26-2015; operative 7-1-2015 (Register 2015, No. 13). For prior history, see Register 94, No. 43.

Note: Authority cited: Section 7312, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 7312(e), Business and Professions Code.