Destination Florida:

Destination Florida:
NTTI Holds 2 Conferences For State Inspectors

With more than 1,700 registered tanning facilities housing more than 4,000 tanning devices, Florida is appropriately referred to as the "Sunshine State." In order for state inspectors to gain a better understanding of the indoor tanning industry, Rick Mattoon, technical training director of the National Tanning Training Institute (NTTI), was invited to Florida to help state inspectors develop a better understanding of the tanning industry.

Ken Widergren, environmental specialist for the Florida Department of Health, asked Mattoon to speak on several topics regarding indoor tanning. Some of those topics included federal and state regulatory issues that affect tanning salons, ultraviolet radiation and its tanning effects on the skin, photosensitivity, equipment sanitation and operational procedures, eyewear compliance, skin typing and exposure schedules.

Because of the size of Florida and the number of indoor tanning salon inspectors throughout the state, two sites were selected for the conference. The first was held April 17 in Vero Beach, Fla.; the second conference was held April 19 in Panama City, Fla.

More than 50 attendees responsible for inspections of Florida tanning facilities attended the conferences. Attendees were comprised of county and state officials responsible for the inspection and licensure of the states nearly 2,000 tanning facilities.

An individual wishing to open a tanning facility in Florida first must obtain an operational license through their local county health department. County health departments must inspect and approve facilities as a prerequisite to granting an operating license. These same county health departments also are responsible for monitoring tanning facility operations through regular inspections to assure that required sanitary standards, as well as other operational guidelines are followed.

Joining Mattoon at the Vero Beach conference was Raymond Schneider, R.S.R.P.S. ES-II from the Lee County Health Department in Cape Coral, Fla. Schneider, a Lee County health inspector, introduced a draft of a Tanning Inspector's Guide To Tanning Lamp Compatibility at the conference.

During the inspection of Florida tanning facilities, state officials have had no verifiable source for checking lamp compatibility except for manufacturer's data sheets. If approved by Florida, the guide will act as a database or cross-reference to verify compatibility during a facility inspection. Schneider used the LOOKING FIT Tanning Fact Book 2000/2001, as well as a questionnaire mailed to manufacturers and suppliers, to develop his guide.

The Tanning Inspector's Guide To Lamp Compatibility will allow an inspector to check lamps by original lamp manufacturer, original lamp type, original lamp code, replacement/ substitute lamp substitute or replacement/substitute lamp type. The guide currently lists 36 manufacturers and suppliers of tanning lamps.

"I was very excited about the attendance and active participation of all those who were able to attend," says Mattoon. "The questions asked during the conference showed that the inspectors truly want to gain a better understanding of the tanning industry. This understanding definitely will build a more productive relationship between inspectors and salon owners."

The National Tanning Training Institute is one of only three training programs in the country that offers approved training in the state. Each tanning facility in Florida must have an operator who possesses a certificate of formal training as defined by the Florida Administrative Code.

Attendees to the conference walked away with a well-rounded view of the indoor tanning industry. "In addition to the technical and regulatory aspects of tanning, I gave the state officials a more in-depth look at the emergence of the U.S. indoor tanning market over the last 20 years and how it has grown into an industry now estimated to be worth billions," adds Mattoon. "In addition to UVR emissions, how the skin tans and mandatory regulations, I also discussed tanning lotion use, lamp technology, education and the future of indoor tanning."

Each attendee was given a free copy of the LOOKING FIT Tanning Fact Book 2001/2002, which undoubtedly will become an important resource for state inspectors looking to gain more insight into the tanning industry.

"The book is an excellent resource, providing recent news on regulations, the most up-to-date research available on UV light studies, the latest on marketing theories for tanning, as well as industry training and certification techniques," he adds.