Cutthroat razors, also known as straight razors, have a flick blade that folds back into the razor handle.
Cutthroat razors with a non-changeable blade are not permitted for use in any commercial hairdressing establishment in Western Australia due to the risk of spreading blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS.
After use, micro-organisms and small, invisible quantities of blood and bodily fluids can remain on the razor blade. Simply washing and disinfecting the blade will not destroy these micro-organisms and will place clients at risk of infection if the blade is reused.
Cutthroat razors with disposable single use blades are permitted. A new disposable blade must be used for each client, and the detachable blade must be disposed of into a sharps container as per Australian Standard AS4031 (external site) after each use.
The blade handle must be cleaned with warm water and detergent to remove any contaminants before a new single use blade is attached.
Disposable razors
Disposable razors must be single use only and disposed of into a sharps container after use.
If disposable razors have a detachable blade, the blade must be disposed of into a sharps container as per AS4031 after use.
The blade handle must be cleaned with warm water and detergent to remove any contaminates prior to a new single use blade being attached.
More information
Produced by
Environmental Health Directorate