This
unit is very important for your working day and focuses on the wellbeing
of the
stylist,
clients, colleagues and all other visitors to the salon. It is about how you
can
help
to make your workplace a safe, secure and healthy place for everyone.
you
must consider the health and safety of the client every time you carry
out a
treatment
in whichever unit you are being assessed. Whether in the workplace or
college/training
institution, you have a responsibility to follow health and safety
legislation.
To help you, the most important aspects of health and safety laws are
explained
in this unit. If you ignore health and safety procedures when carrying out
an
assessment or treatment, at best the assessment cannot be competent, at worst
your
actions
could result in injury or damage, for which you may be legally responsible.
In
this element you will learn about your responsibilities in relation to potential
hazards
in the salon and how you should deal with them. In some cases you will be
able
to deal with a hazard yourself, but in others you may need to ask the advice of
a
more
qualified member of staff. In these instances you need to know ‘who’ to
approach.
You will also need to know your responsibilities for implementing the
health
and safety policies used in your salon – if you do not know what they are, how
can
you make sure you stick to them?
It
may be helpful to give you the definition of a hazard and a risk:
Hazard
= A hazard is something
with potential to cause harm (something which
may
cause harm).
Risk
= A risk is the
likelihood of the hazard’s potential being realised (the risk of the hazard
actually happening
Almost
everything may be a hazard, but it may or may not become a risk. For
example,
a trailing lead from a hair-dryer is a hazard. If it is trailing across the
passageway
of a client, it has a high risk of someone tripping over it: if it is safely
out
of
the path of the client, the risk is much less.
of
the path of the client, the risk is much less.
Hairdressing
products, such as hydrogen peroxide, stored in the salon are hazards and
because
they are toxic and flammable may present a high risk. However, if they are kept
in
a properly designed secure storage area and handled by trained stylists, the
risk is
much less than if they are left out in a busy
workshop for anyone to use – or misuse.
Heat
stress
The
HSE draws attention to heat stress at work. The best working temperature in
hairdressing
salons is between 15.5 and 20°C.
Humidity
(the amount of moisture in the air) should be within the range of 30–70 per
cent,
although this will vary if your salon has a sauna and steam area. They should
be in
a
well-ventilated area away from the main workrooms, whilst still being
accessible to
clients.
There should also be sufficient air exchange and air movement, which must be
increased
in special circumstances, such as chemical mixing and usage. There are
different
types of ventilation that may be used within the salon.
Mechanical
ventilation: extractor
fans, which can be adjusted at various speeds.
Natural
ventilation: open
windows are fine, but be careful of a draught on the client.
Air-conditioned
ventilation: passing
air over filters and coolers brings about the
desired
condition, but of course, this is the most expensive method!
A
build-up of fumes, or strong smells from chemical preparations such as perm
lotion,
bleach and tint, may cause both physical and psychological problems, which
affect
not only clients, but staff too.
Protective
clothing and equipment
This
covers both equipment and protective clothing provisions to ensure safety for
all
those
in the workplace. The regulations also provide that workplace personnel must
have
appropriate training in equipment use. Protective clothing ensures cleanliness,
freshness,
and professionalism. For certain treatments it may be advisable to wear
extra
disposable coverings. The client’s clothing must also be protected.
Protection
against infectious diseases
Caution: It is important to protect against all
diseases, which are carried in the blood
or
tissue fluids. Protective gloves should be worn whenever there is a possibility
of
blood
or tissue fluid being passed from one person to another, i.e. through an open
cut
or broken skin. Two specific diseases to mention are not only clients but
staff, too!
AIDS
Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease caused by the
Human
Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV). The virus is transmitted through body
tissue.
Most people are aware of AIDS because of media coverage. The virus
attacks
the natural immune system, and therefore carries a strong risk of
secondary
infection, such as pneumonia, which could be life threatening. As
there
is no known cure, prevention through protection is vital.
Hepatitis variants (A, B
and C)
This
is an inflammation of the liver. It is caused by a very strong virus also
transmitted
through blood and tissue fluids. This can survive outside the body
and
can make a person very ill indeed; it can even be fatal. The most serious
form
is Hepatitis B and you can be immunised against it by a GP. If a person can
prove
that he or she needs this protection for employment purposes, there is no
cost
involved. Most training establishments will recommend this.
Control
of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2003
(COSHH)
This law requires employers to control exposure to hazardous
substances in the
workplace. Most of the products used in the salon are
perfectly safe, but some
products could become hazardous under certain conditions or
if used inappropriately.
All salons should be aware of how to use and store these
products.
Employers are responsible for assessing the risks from
hazardous substances and must
decide upon an action to reduce those risks. Proper training
should be given and
employees should always follow safety guidelines and take
the precautions identified
by the employer.
On the right are the symbols that show types of hazardous
substances. COSHH
requires that they are found on packaging and containers in
health, beauty and
hairdressing salons.
Here
are some examples of potential hazards:
highly
flammable substances, such as hairspray or alcohol
steriliser are hazardous
because their fumes will ignite if exposed to a naked flame.
• explosive materials, such as hairspray, air freshener or other pressurised cans
will
explode with force if placed in heat, such as an open fire,
direct sunlight, or even
on top of a hot radiator.
• chemicals can cause severe reactions and skin damage. Vomiting,
respiratory
problems
and burning could be the result if chemicals are misused.
Health
and safety rules
These will encompass all aspects of the Health and Safety at
Work Act, plus COSHH
and the Electricity at Work Act.
You should be in no doubt about:
• your responsibility
• salon procedures
• treatment safety
• equipment safety
• protection against cross-infection.
Salon
procedures for health and safety
Client safety:
• positioning of client
• minimum risk of hazard within the salon
• correct use of equipment and products
• correct use of products
•
correct evacuation procedures
Storage procedures:
• electrical equipment
• chemicals
• valuables
• stock
• money.
Stock regulations:
• COSHH regulations are followed
• first aid procedures in place
• stock rotation
• spillage management
• correct storage and containers.
Your employer or head of the training establishment should
have all these standard
procedures in place. If you are not instructed within your
first few weeks of beginning
your
new post, then ask!
Salon/workplace
policies
All salons will have their own individual policies in place
and it is your responsibility
to follow them, so make sure you know what your salon’s
policies are. All salons will
require employees to follow basic rules, like reading and following
manufacturers
instructions. If this rule is not followed, treatments could
go wrong, resulting in loss of
clients and the salon’s good reputation. Other salon
policies will include:
• Smoking –
some salons are completely non-smoking zones and clients would
need to be informed of this by members of staff (you). You
must be fully aware of
the rules and enforce them if a client decides to light a
cigarette.
• Eating and drinking areas – the preparation of food and drinks should not be in
the same area as the mixing and preparation of products.
This would cause an
environmental health and safety issue, as many chemical
products in hairdressing
are caustic and if accidentally mixed with food or drinks
would cause internal
medical problems.
• Drug policies – remember, only fully qualified, medically trained
personnel are
allowed
to administer drugs or medicines.
Cleaning,
sterilising and general care of salon tools and equipment
Sterilisation means the killing of all organisms, for
example, bacteria, fungus such as
ringworm,
and parasites such as head lice.
Brushes should be washed in warm soapy water to remove
grease and products,
then soaked in a disinfectant solution (barricade) for at
least 20 minutes.
• Combs should be washed in warm soapy water to remove
grease and products,
then soaked in a disinfectant solution (barbicide) for at
least 20 minutes.
• Scissors should be cleaned regularly to remove hair
cuttings and sterilised using
medic-wipes or sterilising spray.
• Razors and hair shapers should be brushed free of cut hair
after use. The
replaceable blade must be disposed of in a sharps bin to
avoid piercing the skin;
this is then collected by the local health authority for
incineration. The handle
can be sterilised by either wiping with a medic-wipe or
sterilising spray.
• Fixtures and fittings, all chairs, workstations, mirrors,
hood dryers, climazones and
steamers must be wiped clean daily to remove any hair
cuttings, chemical and
styling products, and general dust and dirt.
• Floors should be swept at regular intervals throughout the
day to avoid slippery
surfaces.
All spills must be wiped up immediately. Floors should be bleached at the end
of each day.
Personal
conduct
Good conduct cuts down any risks.
• Do not run or rush around the salon.
• Use equipment properly.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions at all times.
• Ensure salon and equipment are cleaned thoroughly.
• Always leave equipment ready for use by the next person.
• Do not block fire exits for any reason.
• Do not endanger anyone, even as a joke.
• Behave sensibly.
• Use proper lifting procedures.
• Take responsibility for yourself, machinery and problems
such as spillage
that may occur – do not expect someone else to clean up
after you!
•
Always treat your clients with the utmost respect.
Personal
presentation
Hairdressing is part of the fashion industry and the image
you portray should reflect
this. However, your personal appearance should always
combine safety with
professionalism. For example, high-heeled shoes are not only
uncomfortable after a
day’s standing but also not particularly stable to walk in
and open-toed sandals will
not protect the toes from damage, spillage or impact injury.
Shoes should be smart
but essentially comfortable.
• Do not wear dangling jewellery which may be a hazard.
•
Avoid stooping and slouching, which will prevent back problems occurring
• Hairdressers often have arms and shoulders raised when
cutting, perm winding,
and setting. This awkward and unnatural posture often leads
to hairdressers
becoming round shouldered and in old age can lead to a
hunched back. It is
important to learn to stand with good posture while working
to prevent this
from occurring.
• Evenly distribute body weight by standing with both feet
slightly apart – this will
prevent accidents and body damage.
• Always wear the correct protective clothing to shield a
uniform.
• Always wear gloves when using chemicals or if there is a
possibility of coming
into contact with body fluids.
• Always follow the correct disposal regulations for waste
materials.
• If a salon provides a uniform as part of a corporate
image, wear it with pride!
• Your hair should not interfere with any treatment you
carry out to avoid the
possibility of cross-infection.
• A high standard of cleanliness will ensure no
cross-infection can occur:
– Wash your hands between clients.
– Keep your nails tidy.
– Cover cuts or open wounds.
– Do not attend work with an infectious disease.
–
Do not spread germs with a cold or flu.
References;
hair train UK. (2014). Health&Safety. Available: http://hairdressing.ac.uk/node/119. Last accessed October 2014.
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