Health and safety in nail salons

A nail salon is only as safe as the owner or nail technician makes it. If they follow a high standard of health and safety, the nail salon can be a very safe place. The problem with nail extensions is that because it is not an invasive treatment, some, but not all councils, do not have any form of licence system. It is up to the council to send health inspectors to check everything is in working order. Often this is only done when trading standards have received a number of complaints, and by then, it is often too late.

Nail technicians and salon owners can always find room for improvement, no matter how high their standards are. So many salons, who feel they have everything covered, can always find something to improve on! Often something simple is missed like wearing jewellery, not using metal bins, no eye protection, un-labelled dispenser pumps, no accident record book and no eye wash station.

You can always contact your local council for advice. Don’t be afraid to ask them what they require you to have, for example, with an extraction system. They may send an inspector, make the most of their advice and always put it into practice as soon as possible, or it will be one of those things that you never get round to. If it is something serious you need, like a fire extinguisher, it maybe to late.

COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002)

All salons and mobile techs should be aware of their responsibilities for COSHH. This involves handling, storage and disposal of all chemicals including nail varnish, nail varnish remover, acetone, adhesives, Barbicide, Cidex, adhesives, primer and acrylic liquid. Copies of MSD sheets (Material Safety Data Sheets) should be obtained, free of charge, from your suppliers for all flammable products. They are required by law to provide them on demand. Always remember, never tip acetone down the sink, it may melt your pipes! Always absorb it up with couch roll and place in a metal bin with a liner. Contact your council for your local by-laws.

FIRST AID
The Health and Safety (first aid) Regulations 1981 require every employer to provide equipment, training and facilities for first aid. Depending on your situation, you may be required to have a first aider / appointed person. Make sure your first aid kit is fully stocked and is suitable for the number of employees. It should include individually wrapped dressings, sterile eye pads, safety pins; scissors, tweezers, an eye wash station, various size dressings and bandages. Do not include any medication such as paracetamol. Hopefully it is something that you will never need, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Contact your local council or St Johns ambulance for courses in your area. You should know how, when and where to contact the emergency services. You should be aware of RIDDOR (Reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations 1995).

ACCIDENT RECORD BOOK
Did you know that the law changed in January 2004? The legal requirement for recording and reporting accidents, even minor ones, are laid down in the Social Security Act 1979 and the Data Protection Act 1998. All details must be kept confidential but the book should be kept in an easily accessible place. Keeping records could prevent you being sued in the future. All salons and mobile techs should now have the new style accident record book.

FIRE REGULATIONS
All technicians should be aware of the Fire Precautions Act 1997. Each employer should carry out a fire risk assessment and provide adequate training for staff. This will teach you when it is safe to fight a fire yourself, to close doors and to take the appointment book and MSD sheets only if possible. You should have a fire evacuation procedure, clearly marked and uncluttered fire exits, know when and how to use fire equipment, (such as an extinguisher and what colour is suitable for what fire) and know how to contact the emergency services. Make sure that you have fitted smoke alarms in the correct place and that the batteries are replaced on a regular basis. Salons and mobiles should have at least 1 extinguisher and preferably a fire blanket. Always check with your local fire officer, their advice is free, and may just save a life. Remember, prevention is better than cure. If in doubt, get out!

EYE PROTECTION AND DUST MASKS
Many nail technicians are now offering their clients protection against chemical vapours, dust and flying objects! It is a difficult situation as you do not want to scare your clients but tactfully explain to them as part of your consultation, that you are concerned for their welfare. Eye protection is essential for contact lense wearers, as it is possible, although rare, to flick resin or acetone into the eye, causing major damage to the lense and eyeball. Dust masks are available for sufferers of asthma and other similar conditions. If a client would prefer not to wear them, make a note on the client card and ask them to sign it, as a disclaimer against possible future insurance claims.

INSURANCE
Without the correct and valid insurance, you are putting yourself, clients, staff, salon and transport (if you are mobile) at great risk. Be honest with your insurance company about your personal situation, staff, clients, treatments, stock levels etc as it will be invalid if you give the wrong details to lower the price, but you need to make a claim. You may need employer’s liability, public liability, professional indemnity and business class for your car if you are mobile. The ANT offers a great insurance rate for its members.

Download a brochure today or call Woodgates on +44 (0)1622 740045.

ELECTRICITY
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 covers the use of all electrical equipment, installation and maintenance. If you do not keep this up to date it could result in electric shocks, burns and fires. You should ensure that all plugs are correctly fitted, do not overload plug sockets, check all fuses, no trailing wires, caution when water/liquids/chemical are near by and check all staff are trained to use the equipment. It is important to have your equipment checked annually. Contact your local council as they may have extra by-laws on electrical equipment.

USEFUL CONTACTS
There are many suppliers of Health and Safety equipment. Use the internet or Yellow pages for useful contacts.

The HSE (HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE) have an amazing amount of advice leaflets. Call them for a free catalogue on 01787 881165. Most of the free leaflets (you can order up to 25) are also downloadable from their website at www.hse.gov.uk.

Some of the following codes may help -
INDG174REV1 – Personal Protective Equipment
INDG273 – Working safely with solvents
INDG374 – First aid at work
INDG136REV3 – COSHH
INDG322 – Advice on general health and safety
INDG353 – Why do I need a safety data sheet?

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE INFORMATION WAS CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PRINT (NOVEMBER 2006). ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.