There are many hazards present at barber shops and beauty salons that deserve your attention. This overview of common issues will help you to correct potential hazards, keep your employees safe, and help you to avoid potential liability claims.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Accidents can occur when employees trip on uneven flooring or fall when trying to reach items out of reach.
Solutions:
- Unplug equipment when not in use.
- Keep walkways, workstations and chairs clear. Clean up spills immediately after they occur.
- Provide adequate lighting.
- Provide proper stepladders for employees to reach items that are not accessible from the ground.
Fire
Many products used in beauty treatments, specifically aerosols, are highly flammable and potentially explosive if they are exposed to high temperatures. Also, obstructed exit routes can prevent escape from a fire and can provide fuel to increase the blaze.
Solutions:
- Keep all escape routes and fire exits clear at all times. Conduct regular inspections of these areas to ensure that they are safe.
- Store products away from sources of heat and ignition, at or below room temperature and in a dry place.
- Turn off and unplug electrical devices at night.
- Instruct employees on what to do in case of a fire, and practise fire escape drills on a regular basis.
Electrical Safety
The electrical appliances used in barber shops and beauty salons are subject to significant wear and tear due to their frequency and amount of use.
Solutions:
- Create a system for regularly inspecting equipment for wear and tear, and do not allow equipment to be used until it is repaired.
- Keep a maintenance log for all electrical equipment.
- Provide adequate sockets for all workstations. Instruct your employees to not overload sockets.
Hazardous Substances
Some products used in barber shops and beauty salons contain harmful substances, which can cause skin irritations (dermatitis) and respiratory problems.
Solutions:
- Obtain and maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all hazardous products used on your premises.
- Assess the risks of using new products before they are used.
- Store and use all products in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Exercise extreme caution when disposing of surplus chemicals.
- If employees show signs of dermatitis or asthma, assist them in receiving proper medical treatment and offer solutions to minimize problems in the future, such as improving ventilation problems and making sure employees wear hand and body protection against hazardous chemicals.
Manual Handling of Materials
Lifting and moving heavy stock materials and working at poorly designed workstations can cause injuries and muscle strains.
Solutions:
- Employees should avoid lifting items that are too heavy for them to safely lift. They should use lifting assist devices or seek assistance from another staff member instead.
- Train employees on the proper lifting techniques for various types and sizes of loads.
- Design workstations to ensure that employees have enough room to move around comfortably while working. Provide customer chairs that can be adjusted depending on the height of the customer and employee.
Poor Hygiene
There are risks of infection transmission when using equipment and products on clients with poor hygiene or transmittable illnesses.
Solutions:
- Make sure re-useable equipment is sterilized after each client.
- Use techniques to prevent cross-contamination when using creams, make-up products, wax pots, etc.
- Wash towels after each use.
Contact the Axis Insurance Group for more information on training program resources and materials you can use to keep your employees safe.
