Gyms, Salons, Spas, Tanning, Pools — Sanitation
Gyms and Health Clubs
DHEC does not regulate health club sanitation and does not inspect these facilities for cleanliness. South Carolina has no laws or standards governing sanitation in these facilities.
However, we do inspect swimming pools in health clubs.
Complaints: If you have contacted the management of the gym but they have ignored your concern or have failed to take action, you may want to contact your local government. Some municipalities have ordinances that address sanitation in health club facilities. Another option is to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
Hair and Nail Salons, Barbershops
DHEC does not regulate sanitation at hair and nail salons in South Carolina.
Hair and Nail Salons
The S.C. Board of Cosmetology, part of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, is responsible for licensing and regulating all cosmetologists (hairdressers), cosmetology instructors and schools, estheticians and nail technicians. The Board investigates all legitimate complaints.
Barbers
The S.C. Board of Barber Examiners, part of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, is responsible for licensing all barbers, barbershops, barber colleges and instructors. The Board is also responsible for conducting examinations of barbers and instructors. Regular inspections are made in every barbershop and barber school in South Carolina. In addition, the Board investigates complaints and provides discipline when necessary.
Complaints: For information on filing a complaint about sanitation at a hair or nail salon in South Carolina, visit the “How to File a Complaint” webpage of the S.C. Board of Cosmetology at LLR. To file a complaint about barbershop sanitation, see the ‘How to File a Complaint” webpage of the S.C. Board of Barber Examiners. You may also contact LLR staff at (803) 896-4470.
Tanning Beds
S.C. Regulation 61- 106, Tanning Facilities (pdf) is meant to protect tanning facility customers from overexposure to ultraviolet radiation due to faulty equipment, inadequate operator training, poor sanitation and other factors. The regulation authorizes DHEC to register all tanning bed equipment, and it requires facilities to keep tanning equipment sanitized, maintain it in safe working order and train staff adequately.
Although DHEC does not have the staff to routinely inspect tanning facilities, we do conduct unannounced inspections and investigations whenever we receive a consumer complaint or a report of an injury at a particular facility.
To learn about regulatory requirements for opening a tanning salon, get forms needed by tanning facility operators, and learn more about the risks associated with overuse of tanning beds, visit DHEC's Tanning webpage.
Complaints: To file a complaint or a report an injury or burn from use of a tanning bed in a South Carolina tanning salon, submit your complaint in writing by mail, to the DHEC Bureau of Radiological Health, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, S.C., 29201, or by fax at (803) 545-4412.
Please list the name and street address of the tanning facility, the date the injury or incident occurred (or a problem was noticed) along with a detailed description of the injury or incident, and the name (or a description) of the person operating the tanning facility that day. Also provide your name and telephone number, and tell us if you do not want us to share your identity with the tanning facility.
Swimming Pools
DHEC performs routine inspections and provides technical assistance to public swimming facilities located throughout the state.
Complaints: To file a complaint about sanitation at a swimming facility in South Carolina, call (803) 898-4300 or (803) 898-4015.For more information on DHEC's General Sanitation program, contact us at (803) 896-0655.