Guidelines For Tanning Salon Owners, Operators And Users

Tanning Safety Guidelines

Owners and operators of tanning salons must be aware of and adhere to the pertinent requirements for tanning equipment under the federal Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations (Tanning Equipment). In addition, operators should follow the guidelines listed below, which have been developed specifically for tanning salon operators.

1. It is recommended that tanning salon clients be informed of these guidelines and advised to consider discussing the risks of artificial tanning with their family physicians.
   
   
2. All tanning equipment sold, resold, leased or imported into Canada, including tanning beds, must comply with the requirements specified for tanning equipment under the federal government's Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations. Owners must check with their equipment supplier to ensure that tanning equipment, and any associated apparatus being purchased and used in their salon, are in compliance with the Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations.
   
   
3. Knowledgeable operators or staff members who can inform and assist the public in the safe use of tanning devices should always be on the premises during business hours. Staff should be familiar with these guidelines and have successfully completed the questionnaire at the back of this booklet.
   
   
4. It is recommended that tanning salon operators ascertain a client's ability to tan, history of sunburns, and history of skin infections, rashes or other skin conditions. It is important that the client discloses information about certain medications or cosmetics to prevent phototoxic and photoallergic reactions. Client records should be kept. This information is to be used for exposure planning and to help clients understand how these factors interact with ultraviolet radiation.
   
   
5. People with sensitive skin who always burn and never tan, should be advised by the tanning equipment operator not to use tanning units. Anyone who has a skin infection, rash or other skin condition should not use tanning equipment without first consulting a doctor.
   
   
6. Children under 16 years of age should not use tanning equipment. Depending on provincial or territorial regulations, a minor may require written parental consent.
   
   
7. Know your UV light bulbs:
   
   First and maximum exposure times suggested for different skin types depend on the strength and type of ultraviolet emissions from the light bulbs used in each individual piece of tanning equipment. There are many different models and brands of ultraviolet light bulbs available on the market, producing various intensities and emitting different amounts of UVA and UVB radiation.
   
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   All pieces of tanning equipment are required to carry specific information about first and maximum exposure times based on the user's skin type. The total amount of minutes of exposure corresponding to a recommended dose of 15 kJoules/ m² annually must also be included. This information is to be provided by the equipment manufacturer and is based on the bulbs provided with the original equipment at the time of sale. The replacement of bulbs in tanning equipment that have different - and often higher - levels of UVA and UVB than the original bulbs, should never happen. Cases of overexposure and burns from UV radiation have occurred as a result of clients being exposed to tanning equipment which has had its original bulbs replaced with newer, more powerful bulbs that do not comply with federal regulations.
   
   Operators should ensure that replacement bulbs are identical
   or equivalent to the original bulbs supplied with this piece of
   tanning equipment at the time of sale. When replacement bulbs
   are identical to the original ones, the client can rely on the
   manufacturer's information provided with tanning equipment.
   
   The operator should ensure that:
   
   
   1. The recommended maximum exposure time is not increased to compensate for decreasing UV intensity as bulbs age.
      
      
   2. First and maximum exposure times comply with the manufacturer's recommendation. Clients should know that UVA tanning equipment exposure times are different than those recommended for higher intensity UVB equipment.
      
      
   3. Ultraviolet radiation warning labels, compliant with the Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations (Tanning Equipment), are well posted on each piece of tanning equipment. These labels are designed to warn clients about ultraviolet radiation and its harmful effects on health. A summary of these guidelines should be available within facilities or in the client reception area.
      
      
   4. Each tanning device can be easily turned off by the person who is being exposed, without the need to disconnect the electrical plug or remove the ultraviolet lamp (a requirement of the Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations (Tanning Equipment)).
      
      
8. The operator should provide each client/customer with ultraviolet radiation safety eyewear that complies with the Radiation Emitting Devices Regulations (Tanning Equipment) and covers the eyes securely. Instructions should be given on how to wear them.
   
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   Protective eyewear used with sunlamps or tanning beds must meet three criteria. The eyewear must have a spectral transmittance that is:
   
   
   1. not more than 0.001 over the wavelength range from 200 to 320 nm;
      
      
   2. not more than 0.01 over the wavelength range from 320 to 400 nm; and
      
      
   3. sufficient over wavelengths greater than 400 nm to enable the user to read the labels and use the controls mentioned in the requirements.
      
      
9. A physical barrier, like a clear UV-transmitting plexiglass cover, should always be in place between the lamps and the person being exposed to UV radiation, covering the top and bottom sections of a two-part, hinged tanning bed. This barrier will prevent injury to the user of the equipment in case of accidental lamp breakage. It will also guard against thermal burns from close contact with the bulbs.
   
   
10. Whenever maintenance is being performed on the tanning equipment (e. g., changing UV bulbs, cleaning equipment, etc.), employees should turn off the equipment. If the bulbs have to be on, the employees should use protective eyewear and clothing to minimize their exposure.
    
    
11. Adequate ventilation is provided in such a way that the temperature of the tanning booth does not exceed 30 ºC.
    
    
12. Clients are advised that they may have a delayed, adverse reaction to UV exposure like red, irritated and watering eyes, an itching skin rash or even a sunburn. This delayed reaction can take anywhere from less than an hour to as long as a day and a half to develop. If a serious adverse reaction results, the client should be advised to consult their doctor. They should also be asked to notify the tanning salon operator of their reaction. Upon receipt of notification of an adverse reaction, the owner/operator should investigate the incident and implement whatever modifications are needed.
    
    All such incidents shall be documented and made available to an officer on request. Where an injury to a person is reported to the owner/operator by a duly qualified medical practitioner as a result of an exposure to the tanning equipment under the owner's control, the owner shall inform the health department immediately or any other health authority.
    
    
13. Infection control:
    
    Ensure that common contact surfaces, including protective eyewear, are disinfected between each use, with an appropriate disinfectant.