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Cut Throat Razors
Open Blade Disposable Razor Diagram supplied by the Health Department.pdf
Example pictures of acceptable simulated and disposable cut throat razors.pdf
Cut throat razors were once used in barbershops and hairdressing establishments to shave a client's beard, moustache or shape the client's hair around the skin and hairline.
However, original solid blade cut throat razors are no longer permitted for use in any commercial hairdressing establishment in Western Australia.
Cut throat razors have the potential to spread blood borne viruses from one client to the next. Simply washing and disinfecting the blade will not destroy disease causing organisms such as hepatistis and HIV/AIDS.
The Health (Skin Penetration Procedures) Regulations 1998 adopt the Code of Practice for Skin Penetration Procedures. The Code of Practice clearly states that reusable sharps are prohibited unless of a class or type that has been exempt by the Executive Director of Public Health.
Sharps are defined in the Code of Practice as any item designed to pierce, cut, puncture, tear or shave the skin, mucous membrane or conjunctive of the eye.
Cut throat razors are designed to shave the skin, and must be single use and disposed of after each use on a client.
As it is not economical or realistic to use a new cut throat razor on each client, cut throat razors are no longer permitted to be used in any commercial hairdressing establishment in Western Australia.
In addition to cut throat razors, razor blades must also be single use and disposed of into an approved sharps container after each use.
Where a razor has a detachable blade, the blade must be disposed of into an approved sharps container after each use. The blade holder, shank and handle must then be washed with warm water and detergent to remove contaminates. Once the blade holder, shank and handle have been washed, a new single use razor blade can be attached to the handle.
For further information on Skin Penetration or Hairdressing, contact:
Your local government Environmental Health Officer
or
The Department of Health of Western Australia on (08) 9388 4999
A copy of the Code of Practice for Skin Penetration Procedures can be obtained from the Environmental Health website at www.population.health.wa.gov.au
