Nothing feels better than a foot bath and pedicure. That is, until you’re met with bacterial and staph infections caused by dirty salons. The State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology is using Assembly Bill 409 to crackdown on potential health violations in salons and day spas. The bill, introduced by Assemblyman Leland Yee, was signed into law in 2006. The board began enforcing the regulations in January. The law allows the board to put a shop on probation without a hearing if sanitary conditions are not met. Salons were found with filthy foot spas, hair, skin, nails and gunk stuck in filters and jets. That prompted the new rules and a statewide crackdown. In recent years, hundreds of Bay Area salon customers have complained of infections. The Board has shut down 10 locations in the bay area, and is spreading out to investigate spas in Sacramento and the local area. Nail salons put on probation are revisited several times to ensure they're complying with the law. They must submit monthly cleaning reports to the board, take remedial training and are fined at least $500.
Monday, 25 February 2008 00:43