Beauty Industry Myths Can Damage Health Of Workers Says HSE

With many young people in their mid to late teens working part-time in hair and nail salons, the risk to their skin is overlooked both by parents and salon managers.

With Unions finding it difficult to organise witihn the industry, Union Safety Reps are rarely found in hair and nail salons. Further, the owners and manager of them know next to nothing about the possible harm to the health of their workers that can be caused by daily exposure to the products they apply to hair and nails of their customers.

Dermatitis is an occupational risk of the 'beauty' industry due to the chemical make-up of the majority of the products used, and skin problems are a major problem in the industry. This can lead to loss of jobs due to ill-health, life-long skin problems, premature ageing of the skin on the hands of the workers concerned; and a blow to the self esteem of sufferers due to the visual impact that dermatitis can hvae on the hands of sufferers.

The HSE has issued guidance on how people working in hair and nail salons can protect their skin from the chemicals they are using in the 'beauty' products at their workplace.

The majority of the chemicals used in the products found in hair and nail salons are hazardous to the skin on the hands of those working in the industry. Barrier creams in themselves do not stop chemicals from reaching the skin and resulting in the absorbption of chemicals into the skin. This can lead to dermatitis and other skin complaints over a period of time which differs from person to person. Simply because it cant be seen immediately, does not make it less of a risk.

The HSE's 'Myth busting' card/poster addresses false assumptions made by managers and staff as to the attitude of their customers and the adverse effect on business if staff were to wear protective gloves when applying products to their customer's hair and nails.

You can download the HSE guidance by clicking on the pic above or goign to the E-Library Database using 'skin care/protection' as the search category. Here you will find other skin care health and safety advice documents.

Source: HSE / Unionsafety

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