While many people may associate serious health hazards with places like construction sites, science labs or even warehouses, there are actually many risks to safeguard against in beauty salons.
From handling chemicals and sharp objects, to potential allergic reactions to products, John Johnston, Head of E-Commerce at Workwear Express has laid out the five most common health hazards to look out for in salons.
1. Cuts
Despite hairdressers handling scissors almost every day, accidents can still lead to some severe injuries. Due to this, it is of paramount importance that equipment is sterilised correctly after every use. This way, even if an injury occurs, the infection risk would be more contained.
However, in order to avoid this happening altogether, make sure that every staff member is properly trained when it comes to handling scissors and other equipment. As well as this, make sure that every item of equipment is in good working order and fit for use.
2. Chemical Burns
While bleach is a chemical that can be found at home, prolonged exposure to it can have serious consequences - such as chemical burns and even respiratory problems from inhalation. Working in a beauty salon comes hand-in-hand with the regular use of bleach and other harsh chemicals, making it crucial to label each and every hazardous product correctly.
The appropriate training should be conducted, in order to ensure that every employee knows how to safely handle potentially dangerous substances. As well as this, personal protective equipment (PPE) should be distributed throughout the workplace, such as gloves and eye protection.
3. Ergonomic Injuries
Surprisingly, one of the main hazards that hairdressers and other members of the beauty industry encounter is ergonomic injuries. These can include strains from standing for hours on end, bending in strange ways to get the correct angles for their clients, heavy lifting, and so on.
Some of the best ways to avoid these kinds of accidents can be to offer employees regular breaks from standing, as well as providing equipment such as chairs and stools that can be adjusted to suit the individual. Rotating sinks can also avoid unnecessary straining, while equipment should have comfortable handles that will not irritate the hands, causing them to ache.
4. Injuries Caused By Slippery Floors
Due to requiring so many electrical items, such as hairdryers, styling irons, razors and so on, stray wires could easily become an issue in the salon. Due to this, it is crucial that all wires are stored tidily out of the way, either under desks or tied up with cable ties.
As well as this, clumps of hair all over the floor from a previous haircut could also lead to somebody slipping over, meaning that hair should be swept up as soon as possible. The same applies to liquid products, such as shampoo or simply water from the sink. If something is spilt and has to be cleaned up, a ‘wet floor’ sign should be placed, so that customers and employees can avoid that area.
5. Mental Health Problems
It is no secret that hairdressers and beauty salon employees work long hours. Some hair dye procedures can take up to almost the entire day, leaving very little time for employees to take regular breaks to recharge, eat and remain hydrated.
Some employees could become overbooked, especially if managing their own schedule, while some clients could act abusive and rude towards staff if they do not like the finished product. Due to this, it is imperative that a zero-tolerance policy is applied to rude clients, while it may be worth suggesting more senior members of staff help newer ones to balance their schedules.
Beauty salons are typically high-pressure, fast-paced environments, which can become extremely stressful over time. Always make sure that each member of staff feels comfortable and appreciated while carrying out their daily tasks, while making it clear that any mental health issues can be discreetly spoken about if needed.