QuestionsQuestions (DOH)
The IRR applies to barber shops, beauty parlors/salons, cosmetic salons, hair and hairdressing salons, manicuring and pedicuring establishments, tattooing and skin piercing shops, and figure slenderizing salons (including physical fitness/aerobic/slimmer establishments), including owners, operators, managers, personnel, and individuals providing home service of similar trade/occupation—except establishments and individuals licensed professionally to perform or practice medical/surgical procedures.
The operator is the owner or manager/administrator/occupier or the actual holder of the sanitary permit of the establishment. It matters because many obligations (e.g., maintaining sanitation, compliance with inspections/orders) are imposed on the operator.
No tonsorial or beauty establishment shall open and operate for public patronage without a sanitary permit issued by the local health officer.
Yes. Any extension/additional construction/alteration requires a new sanitary permit before the establishment could operate.
Application/renewal is filed with the city/municipal health office using EHS Form No. 110. The permit is issued only upon compliance at least to a satisfactory rating using the sanitary inspection form (EHS Form No. 103-B). Fees are paid to the LGU per local ordinance.
Valid from the day of issuance until the last day of December of the same year, then renewed at the beginning of each year thereafter.
The new owner must apply within fourteen (14) working days to the city/municipal health office to have the change noted in records and the sanitary permit, and pay the corresponding fee for noting.
Water must comply with P.D. 856 water supply rules and Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water, with a certificate of portability. At least 40 liters per capita per day must be maintained. Running water under adequate pressure (20 psi or 1.41 kg/cm²) must be provided in areas where equipment/utensils are washed.
Sewage must be disposed through a public sewerage system, or (if none) in a manner complying with the Code on Sanitation’s chapter on sewage collection and disposal, excreta disposal and drainage.
Each room must have at least two refuse containers (biodegradable and non-biodegradable) with swing covers, impervious and vermin-proof construction, lined with green (biodegradable) and black (non-biodegradable) bags. Containers must have tight lids, be cleaned after emptying, kept inaccessible to vermin, and refuse must be disposed at least once daily (or as required). Sharps must be disposed in puncture-proof containers and pre-treated prior to disposal.
Owners/operators must maintain a vermin abatement program. If they fail/neglect/refuse, the local health agency undertakes the activity at the expense of the owners/operators.
Wash-hand basins must be installed conveniently and near as practicable; maintained in good repair/clean condition; supplied with adequate running water; and must have soap/antibacterial cleansing agent, nailbrush, and clean towels or other hand drying facilities.
For every five (5) chairs, there must be at least one hand-washing facility and one water closet.
Lighting minimums by area are: exits/hallways/stairways/landings/elevators/escalators 5 foot-candles (50 Lux); work-out rooms/dressing rooms/lockers/bathrooms/toilets 10 foot-candles (100 Lux); barber shops/beauty parlors/tattooing/storage rooms 20 foot-candles (200 Lux); supplemental 30 foot-candles (300 Lux). Measurements are taken at a point 75 cm above the floor using a light meter.
The barber/beautician must thoroughly cleanse hands with water and soap or an antibacterial agent immediately before and after serving each customer; disinfect tools/equipment before and after use on each customer; and follow the prescribed disinfection methods for razors/scissors/combs/clippers/towels and other items.
Only sterile and disposable sharps/needles shall be used; equipment and instruments must be disinfected before and after every use; after service, movable items must be washed/disinfected; clients’ skin must be cleansed with a sterile swab soaked with a specified disinfectant solution (Table 4). Electrical actuating handpieces must be sterilized by wiping with alcohol-soaked paper towel/tissue/cloth.
They must ensure all equipment is disinfected before use each day and immediately after use by each customer; require customers to present a physical and medical examination certificate before entering/applying for work-out; and prevent attendants/instructors from working if they have skin diseases/communicable diseases.
The local health officer must cause inspections at least every three months. Sanitation inspection must be conducted with a mission order (sanitation inspection without a mission order is prohibited). If items are non-compliant, the inspector notifies the operator, grants a grace period, and prepares a sanitary order. Re-inspection follows; continued noncompliance may lead to a second order, show-cause hearing, and recommendation to the local health authority for revocation. For unsanitary conditions constituting a substantial hazard, the local health officer may recommend immediate suspension with a petition/hearing within 48 hours.
Violations are misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months and/or a fine not exceeding PHP 1,000.00. Interference/hindrance/opposition to DOH/local health officers/inspectors in performance of duty, or tearing down/mutilating/defacing/altering placards/notice, is likewise a misdemeanor with the same penalty range.