Susan Cressy

Business Matters - Hazards and Risk

Hazards and Risk

It is important for the salon owner to identify hazards in the workplace that may cause an accident or injury to any person who enters the premises.

They must then take measures to reduce the risk of injury or accident occurring.

Hazards are possible sources of danger

Risk is the chance or possibility that an accident might occur.

Candles in the treatment room are a hazard as there is a risk that they may cause a fire.

Depending on the type of hazard the risk may be classified as HIGH, MEDIUM or LOW.

For example :

If you can't swim and jump into the deep end of a pool the HAZARD is the deep water and the RISK of you drowning is very HIGH.

However if you have a gold medal for swimming and you jump into the deep end of a pool wearing a life jacket, the HAZARD of the deep water still exists but you have reduced the RISK to LOW because you are a good swimmer and you are wearing a life jacket, so the chances of you drowning are almost non existent.

Therefore you have identified the hazard of the deep water and reduced the risk of drowning by learning how to swim and wearing a life jacket.

There are many hazards in the salon some examples included in the table below.

Beauty treatment	Hazard	Risk	Control measures
Manicure	Nail enamel remover Cuticle knife and nippers	Irritate the skin Allergic reaction Cutting the skin	Consultation with the client Have a thorough knowledge of product ingredients Be fully trained in use of tools
Waxing	Hot wax Cool wax Wax heater left unattended	Burn the skin Irritate the skin Allergic reaction Catch fire	Use a thermostatically controlled machine Test the wax on yourself first Consultation with the client Thorough knowledge of product ingredients Never leave unattended Switch off after use
Eyelash tint	Peroxide Tint entering the eyes	Irritate the eyes Allergic reaction Stinging the eyes	Consultation with the client Patch test prior to treatment Fully trained in use of product
Facial and body galvanic treatment	Client has an electrical current flowing through the body Galvanic current too high Using the galvanic current on the skin for too long	Electric shock Chemical burn Irritation Hyperaemia	Have equipment checked regularly Follow manufacturer’s instructions Make sure the galvanic pads are covered by viscose sponge Give the client a skin sensitivity test before treatment
Aromatherapy	Essential oils Carrier oils derived from nuts	Irritate the skin Sensitise the skin Photosensitivity ( sensitivity to light) Allergic reaction Anaphylaxis	Patch test prior to treatment Use oils which do not react with sunlight Thorough consultation with client
Epilation	Epilation probes Electrical currents used	Pain Cross infection Burning Scarring	Use pre packed, sterilised, single use probes, of the correct size. Sufficient training in use of machine
Audiosonic treatment	Wrong applicator head used Client is treated for too long Applied over bony areas	Bruising Skin irritation Discomfort	Follow manufacturer's instructions Use the correct applicateor head
Microdermabrasion	Vacuum set too high Crystal flow Deep exfoliation	Bruising Hyperaemia Respiratory irritation Scratchy eyes Sensitivity to sunlight	Use correct vacuum as recommended Wear mask over the mouth and goggles over the eyes Wear a sunblock after treatment
Infra red heat treatment	Intense heat produced Lamp positioned too close to the skin Heat applied for too long Lamp placed over the client Lamp may fall over Leads	Burning the skin Dizziness Nausea Skin irritation The lamp may fall onto the client Lamps may smash and cause injury to client or therapist Trailing leads may be tripped over	Measure the distance of lamp to skin Sufficient training in use of equipment Time the treatment according to the manufacturer's instructions Place the lamp in a position away from the client with the rays at a 90 degree angle Check equipment regularly Position lamp safely
Steam bath treatment	Hot vapour Wet floor Extreme heat	Scalding Slipping Fainting Nausea	Protect clients from steam with appropriately placed towels Set the temperature according to manufacturer’s instructions Use mats on the floor Mop up regularly Ventilate area Provide water Monitor client throughout treatment
Body and Facial Faradic or EMS treatment	Client has an electrical current flowing through the body Saline solution is used on the pads to conduct the current Current intensity may be too high or used for too long Electrical wires and leads	Electric shock Mild shock Skin irritation Allergic reaction Muscle fatigue	Have equipment checked regularly Follow manufacturer's instructions Give the client a skin sensitivity test prior to treatment Use water if saline irritates the skin Assess clients's muscle strength and tone prior to treatment Make sure all wires and leads are intact and connected safely to the machine

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