ABA Health, Safety, & Sanitation Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum alcohol concentration in an effective liquid hand sanitizer according to CDC guidelines?
- 60% (Correct answer)
- 30%
- 80%
- 40%
Correct answer: 60%
The CDC recommends hand sanitizers with at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol to effectively reduce germs.
Question 2: Multiuse neck strips vs. paper neck strips — which is the correct standard practice in a licensed barbershop?
- A fresh disposable paper neck strip must be used for each client (Correct answer)
- Fabric neck strips may be reused if wiped with disinfectant
- Fabric neck strips may be reused between clients if laundered daily
- Either is acceptable as long as the client consents
Correct answer: A fresh disposable paper neck strip must be used for each client
State sanitation codes require a new, clean neck strip for every client to prevent cross-contamination of skin and hair.
Question 3: Which term describes the process of removing all microbial life including spores from a surface?
- Sterilization (Correct answer)
- Disinfection
- Sanitation
- Decontamination
Correct answer: Sterilization
Sterilization destroys all forms of microbial life including resistant spores, unlike disinfection which kills most but not all microorganisms.
Question 4: Which of the following actions correctly describes 'sanitation' in a barbershop context?
- Reducing the number of pathogens on a surface to a safe level (Correct answer)
- Killing all pathogens including bacterial spores
- Killing most pathogens on a non-porous surface
- Preventing the growth of fungi only
Correct answer: Reducing the number of pathogens on a surface to a safe level
Sanitation lowers the microbial count to a safe public health level and is the lowest tier of the decontamination hierarchy.
Question 5: A barber's cape has visible hair on it from the previous client. The correct action is to:
- Remove the hair and use a freshly laundered or new cape for the next client (Correct answer)
- Shake the cape out and reuse it immediately
- Turn the cape inside out and reuse it
- Spray the cape with disinfectant and continue
Correct answer: Remove the hair and use a freshly laundered or new cape for the next client
Capes must be clean for each client; a cape with another client's hair is a contamination risk and violates state board sanitation standards.
Question 6: What should a barber do with single-use razor blades after each client?
- Dispose of them in a puncture-resistant sharps container (Correct answer)
- Rinse and disinfect them for reuse
- Place them in the regular trash immediately
- Return them to the original packaging
Correct answer: Dispose of them in a puncture-resistant sharps container
Single-use blades are considered sharps and must be discarded in a puncture-resistant sharps container to prevent accidental needle-stick injuries.
Question 7: Pediculosis capitis, commonly called head lice, is considered what type of infestation in a barbershop setting?
- A parasitic infestation that requires service refusal (Correct answer)
- A fungal infection treatable with antifungal shampoo
- A bacterial infection requiring antibiotic ointment
- A viral condition not transmissible by implements
Correct answer: A parasitic infestation that requires service refusal
Head lice are parasites that are highly contagious via combs, brushes, and direct contact, so service must be refused and the client referred for treatment.
ABA Health, Safety, & Sanitation Standards 3
What is the minimum alcohol concentration in an effective liquid hand sanitizer according to CDC guidelines?