Health and safety- makeup, hair and wig dressing

In all work places, there is the possibility of an accident. All types of work exposes people to dangers and hazards. It is important to make sure that peoples safety is not put at risk and their health is not damaged while they are working. Everyone should work in a safe and clean environment.

 

 

There is more than 200 people killed every year from health and safety issues and problems, and more than one million injured and ill made by work.

 

Hazards in the workplace are things that could possibly cause harm or danger to an employee. Hazards can be anything from tripping over a wire, to getting an infectious disease spread from one co-worker to another. Once you identify the hazards, you then have to assess the risks and record the results, then try to fix the hazard or prevent it. You identify the main things that could cause harm, and try to prevent that harm from happening.

 

In a business there must be a first aid kit and welfare facilities- it’s the law! If an employee finds any hazards or dangers, they should report it, which should then get recorded by the manager or person in charge and then it should be fixed or made sure no one can be put in danger from it.

 

In the makeup industry there are a lot of very dangerous hazards that are vital to prevent properly:

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·         Spillages of water, chemicals and substances can cause someone serious injury if it’s not taken care off immediately and cleaned/mopped up properly. Someone might not see it and slip on the liquid, which could cause them to bang their head off the floor which could result in serious injury

 

·         Electrical Safety-Many of the equipment that would be used, like hair curlers, straighteners, hair dryers are subjected to wear and tear, they should all be checked properly and labelled if the item is faulty to prevent use so everyone knows the item may be dangerous and cause harm to others. These appliances also have long wires which could cause people to trip on and fall so you must be cautious where the wire is at all times, even when it’s not in use.

·         Patch test- A lot of the substances and chemicals used in special effects makeup could potentially cause irritation to the skin and may lead to serious harm to the model it could be applied on to. To prevent this before applying the makeup, the MUA should always do a patch tests to make sure the client will not have a reaction and is not allergic to the products that will be used on their skin. If the MUA did not do a patch test previous to the event or show and they use, for example, latex, it may cause irritation and bring redness to the skin, making the design look off, and worst case scenario, that person could be allergic to latex and could end up being hospitalised.

·         Hygiene- There is a risk of transmitting infections when using equipment and products on different clients. The MUA must make sure that all brushes and equipment are cleaned before and after every new client. If they aren’t clean, and the previous person to have had the brushed used on them had an eye infection, for example, it could easily spread to the next person who used them if they are not cleaned thoroughly. If this happens when you were doing a celebrities makeup, you could get sued!

·         Disposables- You should always use disposables whenever possible when applying makeup. E.g. when putting mascara on a client, if you use the same mascara wand as you use on someone else, there is a risk of spreading infections, so you should always use disposables, one for each eye, and no double dipping!

·         Use techniques which prevent cross contamination of creams and other makeup products

 

Many of the products used in the makeup industry are flammable, be aware of dust and aerosols that can form explosive mixtures with air and so all sources of ignition must be eliminated. If you where do to someone’s hair in a theatre company, and the actor or actress had to use a lighter on stage and you had to use a lot of hair spray in their hair to get the look you wanted to create, it could potentially cause a disaster unless you use heat resistant products…and even if you do, it’s still a major risk to take!



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“Your employer is responsible for your health and safety while you are at work. If you are injured as a result of an accident at work, or become ill as a result of your work, and if you believe your employer is responsible, you may be able to seek compensation from them. The Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 requited your employer to have at least a minimum level of insurance against any such claims. The Employers Liability insurance will cover relevant work injuries or illness whether these are cause on or off site”

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hse39.pdf

 

Employers must ensure the health and safety of their employees and the wider public who come in contact with their business. Everyone should be able to work in a clean, well maintained, well-lit and well ventilated work place without the risk of their health and safety

A consultation sheet should also always be filled in before the makeup is applied. They can be used to find out if there are any contraindications which may prevent you from carrying out a treatment. All professionals carrying out treatments must keep their client’s consultation cards and store them. Client consultation sheets could help professionals find out if their client:

 

·         has had the treatment before – this can indicate wither a patch test is required

·         has asthma – this could be an issue because of loose powder or sprays

·         has had a recent injury – this could be dangerous as open wounds can cause cross contamination

·         has allergies - this is a vital part of the consultation process as a client could be allergic to any type of product used

·         skin type – skin type is important if the client is using a certain product it might react different to their skin

 

http://beautysalonsafety.co.uk/news/consultation/

 

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A risk assessment should also be carried out before any work can take place. A risk assessment is a systematic process of evaluating the potential risks that may be involved in a projected activity or undertaking. These are normally presented in a table form which would clearly indicate any hazards or problems in the workplace.

risk assessment example

In the hair and wig dressing department, health and safety regulations are very important to follow as there can be a lot of hazardous problems. Some from the products, and others from posture of the hairdresser.

 

o   Lower back problems are usually caused when the hairdresser stands for prolonged periods of time. Such problems also occur from spinal twisting or bending. They are further aggravated when the employee is obliged to sit on stools without leg support or back rest.

o   Shoulder problems occur when the worker constantly holds his or her arms above shoulder level or in abduction (upper arm positioned out to the side) for extended periods of time. This is observed during cutting or styling hair.

o   Neck problems occur as a result of bending the head in the forward position or when turning it constantly from side to side to view the client’s hair.

o   Awkward gripping of utensils accompanied by repetitive and forceful movements normally causes elbow, wrist and hand problems.

o   Standing for long periods of time can induce problems such as varicose veins, poor circulation and swelling in the feet and legs.

o   In this category of risks manual handling of heavy goods or equipment can be implicated with lower back injuries. Bad organisational procedures such as unclear distribution of responsibilities, extended working hours, especially under intense conditions, and absence of rest periods aggravate the above symptoms.

o   With the aim of preventing injuries or symptoms, it is important to take a number of measures. These can be divided into, first, a proper design of the work environment and, second, appropriate work practices.

o   In the first case the salon’s layout and the location of equipment and materials are important in determining how the employer moves and positions him- or herself in the workplace.

o   The hairdresser must have sufficient space around him- or herself to move freely and change body position so that he or she can reduce excessive reaching and bending.

o   All workbenches must be constructed at appropriate heights and hairdressers’ chairs must always be height adjustable.

o   Not only must equipment and materials be within easy reach, but considerations should also be taken for their weight and bulkiness. This can be facilitated by the use of trolleys with wheels.

o   With regard to work practices, it is important that the tasks vary as much as possible, so that the employee uses different muscles and allows muscles to recover (rotation of tasks). This can be accomplished by alternating between sitting and standing, for example when cutting hair, or alternating between different tasks such as sweeping and shampooing hair.

o   The purchase of ergonomic tools with bended or adjustable grip keeps the wrists straight. Ergonomic issues should also be considered when new hair wash installations are purchased. The same applies for handheld hairdryers and scissors.

o   Clearly defined responsibilities, equitable distribution of tasks, proper time allotments and rest breaks can help to diminish ergonomically induced symptoms.

o   Health surveillance is a prerequisite for prevention.

o   The doctor’s opinion with regard to whether a pregnant employee should be exempt from some tasks should always be followed. Provisions in legislation and collective agreements for the protection of maternity should be adhered to.

o   Risk assessment in a hairdressing salon should take into account working conditions suitable for pregnant employees. 

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Proper organisation in this respect entails that footstools, equipment, coat hangers, product displays, magazine racks, etc. do not obstruct free passage. In addition, in order to prevent trips care must be taken so that electrical cables or cords do not cross the salon’s floor. To prevent slips, all floor surfaces must be dried and immediately cleaned from spills and hair constantly swept away

 

Contact with hairdryers and steamers that may have hot surfaces can cause burns. Care must also be taken to avoid continuous contact with excessive hot water. It is important that all utensils such as scissors, razors or clippers are handled carefully, kept in good condition and stored with protective coverings

 

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