D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 25, r. 25-D206

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Rule 25-D206 - DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - MASSAGE THERAPIST, HYGIENIC PRACTICES DURING MASSAGE THERAPY

206.1

All massage therapists shall employ good hygienic practices while on duty in a massage establishment or health spa facility.

206.2

Massage therapists shall wash their hands thoroughly before and after performing each massage.

206.3

No massage therapist shall administer a massage or give treatment if they know or should know that they have any disease capable of being transmitted to another individual.

206.4

The massage therapist shall:

(a) Cleanse the exposed body part for applying treatment (such as hands, elbows, feet) before and after each treatment using a lavatory with hot water, followed by a chemical sanitizer skin product, if desired;

(b) Maintain a barrier of unbroken skin on the exposed body part used for applying therapy by using a barrier such as gloves, a finger cot, or cover the area if there is broken skin on the customer; and

(c) Cover areas of the customer not being treated at the time using sheets, towels, or draping to ensure that the specified anatomical areas remain covered for the duration of the massage therapy. With voluntary and informed consent of the customer, the massage therapist may expose the gluteal muscles, one side at a time, for treatment to the structures in those areas. Limited exposure of the female breast areas to access the chest wall muscular structures may also take place as long as the breast areola area remains covered.

206.5

A massage therapist, or any person who works in a massage establishment or health spa facility and who is exposed as part of his employment to any bloodborne pathogens or bodily fluids, shall practice universal precautions in accordance with 29 CFR § 1910.1030(d) - Bloodborne pathogens.

206.6

Massage therapists with an open wound, cut, sore, burn, or other skin injury capable of coming into contact with a client's skin shall not practice massage therapy without covering the wound, cut, sore, burn, or skin injury with a suitable physical barrier such as a finger cot or a latex glove in accordance with chapter 4.

206.7

If a massage therapist has reason to suspect that an employee who assists in massage therapy sessions may have a communicable disease, the massage therapist shall require the employee be examined by a licensed medical professional prior to returning to work in accordance with chapter 4.

206.8

If a massage therapist has reason to suspect that a customer may have a communicable disease, skin diseases or other conditions posing public health concerns, the massage therapist shall:

(a) Deny the customer service and recommend the customer be examined by a licensed health care provider; or

(b) Cease a massage therapy session that is in-process and recommend the customer be examined by a licensed health care provider.

206.9

Massage therapists shall ensure that:

(a) All portable saunas, showers, tubs, basins, massage or steam tables, combs, brushes, shower caps and any other equipment used in the massage establishment or health spa facility are clean and rendered free from harmful organisms by the application of a bactericidal agent;

(b) Any equipment that comes in contact with a client of the massage therapist is cleaned with soap or detergent and hot water and is sanitized before the equipment is used on another customer;

(c) All equipment, furniture and fixtures, including but not limited to tables and chairs used for massage therapy are clean and well-maintained;

(d) All electrical equipment used for the care of a customer is clean and well-maintained and is listed to applicable standards and requirements by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., or approved by another nationally recognized testing laboratory; and

(e) All hydrotherapy equipment is cleaned after each use, is well-maintained and is only used in the manner prescribed by the manufacturer of the equipment.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 25, r. 25-D206

Final Rulemaking published at 56 DCR 7975 (October 9, 2009); as corrected by Errata Notice published at 57 DCR 7899 (August 27, 2010)

Authority: The Director of the Department of Health, pursuant to the authority set forth in section 4902 of the Department of Health Functions Clarification Act of 2001 (Act) (effective October 3, 2001), D.C. Law 14-28, D.C. Official Code § 7-731(a)(12) (2008 Repl.), and Mayor's Order 2006-10 dated January 27, 2006.