LESSON 3: Practice Occupational Health and Safety Procedures
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this Lesson, you are expected to do the following:
Learning Outcome 1: Identify hazards and risks.
At the end of this Lesson, you are expected to do the following:
- LO 1. Identify hazards and risks.
- LO 2. Evaluate and control hazards and risks.
Learning Outcome 1: Identify hazards and risks.
Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a planned system of working to prevent illness and injury where you work by recognizing and identifying hazards and risks. Health and safety procedure is the responsibility of all persons in the beauty service industries. You must identify the hazards where you are working and evaluate and control how dangerous they are. Eliminate the hazard or modify the risk that it presents. An occupational health and safety management system should follow the following elements:
1. Management Commitment-management can show their commitment to OHS by
establishing an OHS policy
identifying its objectives
2. Planning- planning includes setting standards for management and employees by establishing:
How the business ensures sound OHS practices are implemented?
Who is assigned and responsible for the implementation? This person will coordinate the assessment, delegate tasks and be responsible for taking notes and writing up information for the register
What resources are required for the implementation?
When will the OHS practices be implemented?
How will workers identify and report hazards to employer?
3. Consultation- consult and work with your employees, It is important that employees have a basic understanding of what could be considered high –risk activities in the salon. There should be a two way communication where employers listen to and cooperate with employees then management can ensure OHS decisions are based on the best and most up-to –date information.
4. Training- it is important to give the health and safety training to new or inexperienced workers, including those that have been away from the workforce for some time.
5. Risk management- involves identifying the hazards present and then evaluating the risk, taking into account the existing precautions.
The following are the steps of risk assessment:
1. Identifying hazards and risks
2. Evaluate and control hazards and risks
3. Control hazards and risks
1. Management Commitment-management can show their commitment to OHS by
establishing an OHS policy
identifying its objectives
2. Planning- planning includes setting standards for management and employees by establishing:
How the business ensures sound OHS practices are implemented?
Who is assigned and responsible for the implementation? This person will coordinate the assessment, delegate tasks and be responsible for taking notes and writing up information for the register
What resources are required for the implementation?
When will the OHS practices be implemented?
How will workers identify and report hazards to employer?
3. Consultation- consult and work with your employees, It is important that employees have a basic understanding of what could be considered high –risk activities in the salon. There should be a two way communication where employers listen to and cooperate with employees then management can ensure OHS decisions are based on the best and most up-to –date information.
4. Training- it is important to give the health and safety training to new or inexperienced workers, including those that have been away from the workforce for some time.
5. Risk management- involves identifying the hazards present and then evaluating the risk, taking into account the existing precautions.
The following are the steps of risk assessment:
1. Identifying hazards and risks
2. Evaluate and control hazards and risks
3. Control hazards and risks
- harm or adverse health effects on something or someone under certain conditions at work.
- harm or adverse health effects on something or someone under certain conditions at work.
- the chance or probability that a person will be harmed or experience an adverse health effect if exposed to a hazard.
- the chance or probability that a person will be harmed or experience an adverse health effect if exposed to a hazard.
IDENTIFY HAZARDS AND RISKS- Identifying workplace hazards means looking for those things at your workplace that have the potential to cause harm.
Step1.Identifying hazards and risks
There are many hazards present at a beauty salon that deserve your attention. Use this guide as a starting point for conducting a risk assessment at your facility to correct potential hazards and keep your client safe. Identifying hazards and risks should include the following:
consulting with salon employees
conducting a worker survey
inspecting the workplace
ensuring that the information supplied by manufacturers and suppliers is regularly updated and made available to all in the workplace.
3. Slips, Trips, Falls
-Slips, trips and falls are common occurrences in workplaces. People slip and trip on slippery, rough or uneven surfaces and may fall down from stairs or off ladders.
4. Fire
The range, number and 'portability' of electrical equipment used in salons, together with their proximity to water, make for potentially hazardous situations
5. Manual handling of material and tools
-Lifting and moving heavy stock materials and working at poorly designed workstations can cause injuries and muscle strains. Injury due to cutting with cuticle nippers, cuticle scissors and cuticle pusher.
6. Infection hazards
Unsafe or unhygienic practices in the beauty salon may affect the health of customers and workers that may lead to exposure to biological hazards that cause infectious diseases such as blood borne pathogens (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV), fungal infections (Ringworm),
7. Ergonomic Hazards
Ergonomics is to reduce stress and eliminate injuries and disorders associated with the overuse of muscles, bad posture and repeated tasks..
The following are the steps of risk assessment:
1. Identifying hazards and risks
2. Evaluate and control hazards and risks
3. Control hazards and risks
HAZARD- harm or adverse health effects on something or someone under certain
conditions at work.
RISK- the chance or probability that a person will be harmed or experience
an adverse health effect if exposed to a hazard.
IDENTIFY HAZARDS AND RISKS- Identifying workplace hazards means looking for
those things at your workplace that have the potential to cause harm.
Step1.Identifying hazards and risks
There are many hazards present at a beauty salon that deserve your attention. Use
this guide as a starting point for conducting a risk assessment at your facility to correct
potential hazards and keep your client safe. Identifying hazards and risks should include the
following:
consulting with salon employees
conducting a worker survey
inspecting the workplace
ensuring that the information supplied by manufacturers and suppliers is
regularly updated and made available to all in the workplace.
Common hazards in a beauty salon include:
1. Electricity
-common accidents in the workplace can result from contact with
faulty electrical equipment that may have become “live” or from
contact with worn or damaged power cords and switches, the
presence of water in the salon increases the risk of electrocution or
injury.
2. Chemical hazard
-chemicals used in the beauty salon like nail polish, nail polish
removers, callus removers, and acrylic powders for artificial nails are
common products found in many nail salons. It causes skin irritations and
respiratory problems. Information on chemical hazards can be obtained
from the following:
the product label
material safety data sheet (MSDS) -This sheet will provide
information on how to properly handle, store, discard and
care for potentially hazardous chemicals. It will also provide
information on what to do if you are exposed to the
chemical and has bad reaction
the manufacturer.
Learning Outcome 2: Evaluate and control hazards and risks.
Evaluating hazards and risks is the process of determining the level of risk created by
the hazard and the likelihood of injury or illness occurring. The priority of control
increases as the established level of risk increases. Person identifying the risk of harm
or injury from a hazard in a salon should consider these questions:
how likely that it is a hazard will cause harm;
how serious that harm is likely to be;
how often (and how many) workers are exposed.
You must have a record of every risk assessment. If this injury or harm
happen again, it is possible that you will go back to the original records to see if
the original assessment overlook a possible hazard. The assessment stage is
essential because it will determine the type(s) of control methods required.
Reminder: a risk is the chance,( high or low) that somebody may be
harmed by a hazard
Control Hazards and Risks
Where the assessment reveals a problem, preventive measures must be
designed and implemented. Control measures should now be selected according to
the list of control priorities. First, try to eliminate the hazard. If this is not possible,
prevent or minimize exposure to the risk by one or a combination of:
a) substituting a less hazardous material, process or equipment b) redesigning equipment or work processes c) isolating the hazard
When exposure to the risk is not (or cannot be) minimized by other means:
a) Introduce administrative controls like safe work methods and operating
procedures . Written work procedures control the way the work is done.
b) Use appropriate personal protective equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work
``Personal protective equipment is clothing equipment designed to be worn by a nail
technician or salon workers to protect them from risks of injury or illness. It should only be
considered as a control measure when exposure to a risk cannot be minimized in another
way, or when used in conjunction with other control measures as a final barrier between the
nail salon worker from the chemical hazard and other cause of hazards..These clothing
equipment does not control hazard at the source equipment which will protect you from risks
to health and safety.
What Do You Need To Know?
Read the Information Sheet 2.1 very well then find out how much you can
remember and how much you learned by doing Self-check 2.1.
Information Sheet 2.1
PPE is compose of the following:
Impermeable gloves
Protective mask
Protective mask
Eyewear
Splashproof apron
Advantages of wearing PPE at work:
To prevent damage to workers’ nails and skin.
To prevent skin from absorbing potentially harmful ingredients which may
cause skin allergies, irritation, or other related problems.
So as not to generate a lot of dust, it may be necessary to wear a dust mask
to minimize breathing in particles while filing or buffing nails.
To protect the wearer's face and prevent the breathing of air contaminated
with chemical and/or biological agents
Common workplace hazards and their control measures
The following are workplace hazards and their control measures:
ELECTRICAL HAZARD
Many of the electrical appliances used in the beauty salons can create serious
health and safety risks in the nail and beauty industry, particularly in wet conditions.
Damage to equipment increases this risk. Electrical shock can result in electrocution,
burns and injuries from falls.
Control Measures:
You should always check any equipment before use.
Ask qualified electrician to check all pieces of electrical equipment in the
workplace annually or as often as possible.
Broken or damaged electrical equipment should not be used, the tag must
warn people not to use the equipment.
When adjusting or cleaning equipment, SWITCH OFF the power and pull out
the plug and NOT by the cord.
Do not touch equipment with wet hands or don't use a wet cloth to clean
sockets.
Make sure flexible cords are fully unwound and kept clear of work traffic.
Do not run too many pieces of equipment from one socket.
Chemical Hazards are substances used and/or produced at work that have the
potential to harm the health and safety of people at work. Beauty industry is exposed to
repeated exposure to numerous hazardous substances including nail and skin care
products, hair dyes, bleaches, perming solutions, hair styling agents, straighteners,
rebonding solutions, peroxides, disinfectants and cleaning products. . They can harm
people’s health if they get into the body, for example, if they are breathed in, absorbed
through the skin or eyes or ingested accidentally. The effects of hazardous substances may
show immediately, or it may take years for illness or disease to develop. Health effects of
some hazardous substances include skin irritation, coughs, asthma, sensitization, poisoning
and cancer.
Measures of Concentration of Toxic Substances (Chemical Substances)
Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
TLV is a measures of concentration of toxic substances .It is the average
concentration of an airborne substance to which most workers could be safely
exposed over an eight-hour working day or forty-hour working week throughout a
working lifetime.
Maximal Allowable Concentration ( MCL)
MCL is a peak or maximum concentration of an airborne to which most worker could
be safely exposed
Control Measures:
using alternative substances or processes which are less hazardous
Good ventilation can get rid of the fumes and chemical smell that builds up in a
salon
providing separate eating and drinking amenities for employees
ensuring appropriate safety signs, training, instruction and provision of Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and labels
using appropriate PPE.
BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
Biological hazards, also known as biohazards, refer to biological substances that
pose a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily that of humans. Micro-organisms are
everywhere and are continually introduced into the environment. They live on skin, in food
and dirt. Micro-organisms are easily spread between clients and operators and are easily
transferred by contact with unwashed hands, soiled equipment or contact with blood and
body substances. Nail technicians must assume that all blood and other body substances
are potential sources of infection. To minimize transfer of micro-organisms, you must
perform all procedures in a safe and hygienic manner, following all infection control
techniques and procedures. Skin that is intact, without cuts or abrasions, is a natural
protective barrier against infection
Control Measures:
The following are the methods on how to control infectious diseases:
1. Cleaning is the removal of soil and a reduction in the number of micro-organisms
from equipment surfaces by washing in detergent and warm water.
Methods of Cleaning:
2.. Rinse the equipment in warm water (15-30°C) to remove any blood or body
fluids. Hot water used at this stage will cause coagulation and the substances will
stick to the instrument. Cold water will harden fats making cleaning more difficult.
3. Wash the equipment in a sink filled with warm water and a mild alkaline
detergent to remove all visible soiling (strong alkaline detergents may damage
some instruments). Hold the items low in the sink to limit the generation of
aerosols during scrubbing. Use of a scouring pad can assist in removing stains.
4. Rinse the equipment thoroughly in running water.
5. Dry with a cotton cloth. Drying prevents residues from damaging equipment
during sterilization.
6.Store under cover in a clean, dry and dust free environment.
2. Disinfection is the removal of micro-organisms by chemical or physical means. The level
of decontamination depends on duration of exposure to lethal levels of disinfectants. Unlike
sterilization, disinfection does not remove all microorganisms but reduces the population to
safe levels.
Proper use of disinfectants:
All implements must be thoroughly cleaned of all visible matter or residue before
soaking in disinfectant and prevent them from being effective.
Implements and tools must be completely immersed in disinfectant solution for the
time specified on the product label. Complete immersion of tools and implements
means enough liquid to cover all surfaces of the item including the handles.
3. Sterilization is the total destruction of all living micro-organisms and their spores.
Method of sterilization:
1. Physical agents such as radiation and heat
2. Chemical agents, such as antiseptics, disinfectants and vapor fumigants
ERGONOMICS
Ergonomics is the study of how equipment and furniture can be arranged in order
that people can do work or other activities more efficiently and comfortably . It is
important in the adaptation of work conditions to the physical and psychological
nature of people.
Below are pictures showing how ergonomics can help reduce strain to your
bodies on the proper posture during manicure and pedicure services .
A nail technician should consider the three main factors in nail servicing:
1. Supporting the weight of the client's arm or leg
2. Working while looking down at the hand or foot of the model
3. Looking forward at the hand or foot of the model
The following pictures show how you are going to position the hand and foot of your
client when giving a manicure and pedicure services to avoid pain in your hands,
shoulders and back
A. Correct position of hand while giving a pedicure
To prevent damage to workers’ nails and skin.
To prevent skin from absorbing potentially harmful ingredients which may
cause skin allergies, irritation, or other related problems.
So as not to generate a lot of dust, it may be necessary to wear a dust mask
to minimize breathing in particles while filing or buffing nails.
To protect the wearer's face and prevent the breathing of air contaminated
with chemical and/or biological agents
Common workplace hazards and their control measures
The following are workplace hazards and their control measures:
ELECTRICAL HAZARD
Many of the electrical appliances used in the beauty salons can create serious
health and safety risks in the nail and beauty industry, particularly in wet conditions.
Damage to equipment increases this risk. Electrical shock can result in electrocution,
burns and injuries from falls.
Control Measures:
You should always check any equipment before use.
Ask qualified electrician to check all pieces of electrical equipment in the
workplace annually or as often as possible.
Broken or damaged electrical equipment should not be used, the tag must
warn people not to use the equipment.
When adjusting or cleaning equipment, SWITCH OFF the power and pull out
the plug and NOT by the cord.
Do not touch equipment with wet hands or don't use a wet cloth to clean
sockets.
Make sure flexible cords are fully unwound and kept clear of work traffic.
Do not run too many pieces of equipment from one socket.
Chemical Hazards are substances used and/or produced at work that have the
potential to harm the health and safety of people at work. Beauty industry is exposed to
repeated exposure to numerous hazardous substances including nail and skin care
products, hair dyes, bleaches, perming solutions, hair styling agents, straighteners,
rebonding solutions, peroxides, disinfectants and cleaning products. . They can harm
people’s health if they get into the body, for example, if they are breathed in, absorbed
through the skin or eyes or ingested accidentally. The effects of hazardous substances may
show immediately, or it may take years for illness or disease to develop. Health effects of
some hazardous substances include skin irritation, coughs, asthma, sensitization, poisoning
and cancer.
Measures of Concentration of Toxic Substances (Chemical Substances)
Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
TLV is a measures of concentration of toxic substances .It is the average
concentration of an airborne substance to which most workers could be safely
exposed over an eight-hour working day or forty-hour working week throughout a
working lifetime.
Maximal Allowable Concentration ( MCL)
MCL is a peak or maximum concentration of an airborne to which most worker could
be safely exposed
Control Measures:
using alternative substances or processes which are less hazardous
Good ventilation can get rid of the fumes and chemical smell that builds up in a
salon
providing separate eating and drinking amenities for employees
ensuring appropriate safety signs, training, instruction and provision of Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and labels
using appropriate PPE.
BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
Biological hazards, also known as biohazards, refer to biological substances that
pose a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily that of humans. Micro-organisms are
everywhere and are continually introduced into the environment. They live on skin, in food
and dirt. Micro-organisms are easily spread between clients and operators and are easily
transferred by contact with unwashed hands, soiled equipment or contact with blood and
body substances. Nail technicians must assume that all blood and other body substances
are potential sources of infection. To minimize transfer of micro-organisms, you must
perform all procedures in a safe and hygienic manner, following all infection control
techniques and procedures. Skin that is intact, without cuts or abrasions, is a natural
protective barrier against infection
Control Measures:
The following are the methods on how to control infectious diseases:
1. Cleaning is the removal of soil and a reduction in the number of micro-organisms
from equipment surfaces by washing in detergent and warm water.
Methods of Cleaning:
2.. Rinse the equipment in warm water (15-30°C) to remove any blood or body
fluids. Hot water used at this stage will cause coagulation and the substances will
stick to the instrument. Cold water will harden fats making cleaning more difficult.
3. Wash the equipment in a sink filled with warm water and a mild alkaline
detergent to remove all visible soiling (strong alkaline detergents may damage
some instruments). Hold the items low in the sink to limit the generation of
aerosols during scrubbing. Use of a scouring pad can assist in removing stains.
4. Rinse the equipment thoroughly in running water.
5. Dry with a cotton cloth. Drying prevents residues from damaging equipment
during sterilization.
6.Store under cover in a clean, dry and dust free environment.
2. Disinfection is the removal of micro-organisms by chemical or physical means. The level
of decontamination depends on duration of exposure to lethal levels of disinfectants. Unlike
sterilization, disinfection does not remove all microorganisms but reduces the population to
safe levels.
Proper use of disinfectants:
All implements must be thoroughly cleaned of all visible matter or residue before
soaking in disinfectant and prevent them from being effective.
Implements and tools must be completely immersed in disinfectant solution for the
time specified on the product label. Complete immersion of tools and implements
means enough liquid to cover all surfaces of the item including the handles.
3. Sterilization is the total destruction of all living micro-organisms and their spores.
Method of sterilization:
1. Physical agents such as radiation and heat
2. Chemical agents, such as antiseptics, disinfectants and vapor fumigants
ERGONOMICS
Ergonomics is the study of how equipment and furniture can be arranged in order
that people can do work or other activities more efficiently and comfortably . It is
important in the adaptation of work conditions to the physical and psychological
nature of people.
Below are pictures showing how ergonomics can help reduce strain to your
bodies on the proper posture during manicure and pedicure services .
A nail technician should consider the three main factors in nail servicing:
1. Supporting the weight of the client's arm or leg
2. Working while looking down at the hand or foot of the model
3. Looking forward at the hand or foot of the model
The following pictures show how you are going to position the hand and foot of your
client when giving a manicure and pedicure services to avoid pain in your hands,
shoulders and back
A. Correct position of hand while giving a pedicure
B. Correct position of a pedicurist in giving a pedicure service
Correct position of client's leg
Elevate client's feet and place their feet or legs on a footrest that bears their weight.
During the massage portion of a service, the footrests can bear the majority of the weight so
nail technician can limit pressure on their back, shoulders, and neck
Incorrect position of client's foot :
Don’t bear the weight of a client’s leg by resting the foot in your lap or by using your
own strength to lift and lower the leg. This position will cause strains in the muscles in your
shoulders and back, and, because you are connected to the client, it also reduces your
mobility to be agile as you work through the different steps of the service
Correct position of client's leg
Elevate client's feet and place their feet or legs on a footrest that bears their weight.
During the massage portion of a service, the footrests can bear the majority of the weight so
nail technician can limit pressure on their back, shoulders, and neck
Incorrect position of client's foot :
Don’t bear the weight of a client’s leg by resting the foot in your lap or by using your
own strength to lift and lower the leg. This position will cause strains in the muscles in your
shoulders and back, and, because you are connected to the client, it also reduces your
mobility to be agile as you work through the different steps of the service
both the height adjustment of your chair and of the footrest to keep the foot at a workable
level instead of straining the body. Suggest your client to bend their knees and move their
feet to appropriate positions.
Incorrect position of nail technician while giving a pedicure service
If you need to perform close-up, detailed work, there is a tendency to round the shoulders
and extend the neck to get as close to the foot as possible, which will cause strain to the
muscles in the upper body and the entire back. Worse will happen because you will add
enormous strain to your body as you try to get into a position that will give you best perspective.
C. Correct position of a pedicurist feet while giving a manicure service
level instead of straining the body. Suggest your client to bend their knees and move their
feet to appropriate positions.
Incorrect position of nail technician while giving a pedicure service
If you need to perform close-up, detailed work, there is a tendency to round the shoulders
and extend the neck to get as close to the foot as possible, which will cause strain to the
muscles in the upper body and the entire back. Worse will happen because you will add
enormous strain to your body as you try to get into a position that will give you best perspective.
C. Correct position of a pedicurist feet while giving a manicure service
Correct position of pedicurist’s legs
You can improve your posture even without a cut-out in the desk by strengthening
your core muscles so you are able to sit straight for longer periods of time. It is also
important to develop a habit of keeping both feet on the floor to prevent the unbalanced
compression.
Incorrect position of pedicurist's legs This nail technician has her shoulders rolled forward, her left arm is resting on the table,which pushes her shoulder up, she is twisted in her chair, and her legs are crossed. This will cause more compression on one side of the body than the other.
D.Correct position of hand while giving a manicure
You can improve your posture even without a cut-out in the desk by strengthening
your core muscles so you are able to sit straight for longer periods of time. It is also
important to develop a habit of keeping both feet on the floor to prevent the unbalanced
compression.
Incorrect position of pedicurist's legs This nail technician has her shoulders rolled forward, her left arm is resting on the table,which pushes her shoulder up, she is twisted in her chair, and her legs are crossed. This will cause more compression on one side of the body than the other.
D.Correct position of hand while giving a manicure
Use rolled towel or hand cushion in giving a manicure,client's arm weight will rest on
the cushioin instead of holding it.Repetitive motion ,takes a toll on your muscles and joints
and can cause long-term problems,such as arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.(Carpal
tunnel syndrome. It is a type of compression neuropathy , a nerve damage caused by
compression and irritation of the median nerve in the wrist. The nerve is compressed within
the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in the palm side of the wrist that provides passage for the
median nerve to the hand and can be due to trauma from repetitive works.)
Additional:
How To Give A Basic Salon Perfect Manicure - Step by
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66jMNxcw0A4
How To Give A Salon Perfect Pedicure - Step by Step
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoE5Shw5cro
the cushioin instead of holding it.Repetitive motion ,takes a toll on your muscles and joints
and can cause long-term problems,such as arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.(Carpal
tunnel syndrome. It is a type of compression neuropathy , a nerve damage caused by
compression and irritation of the median nerve in the wrist. The nerve is compressed within
the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in the palm side of the wrist that provides passage for the
median nerve to the hand and can be due to trauma from repetitive works.)
Additional:
How To Give A Basic Salon Perfect Manicure - Step by
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66jMNxcw0A4
How To Give A Salon Perfect Pedicure - Step by Step
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoE5Shw5cro