Common Health and Safety Hazards in Hair Salons

Hair salons can expose workers to a wide range of health and safety risks, capable of causing serious health concerns.

As an employer in the Canadian beauty industry, you must ensure your salon is operating in compliance with the health & safety laws of your jurisdiction.

Regular risk assessments, employee training, and a robust health & safety policy can help you be proactive in controlling hazards and creating a safe environment for your staff and customers.   

This blog provides information on some common hazards in hair salons, and the preventive measures business owners can take to address them.

Ergonomic hazards

Due to the nature of their work, employees in the hair and beauty industry are prone to developing musculoskeletal injuries. These are caused due to the time spent standing, working in awkward postures, bending over at the basins to wash hair, performing repetitive tasks, carrying heavy loads, etc.

Employers should:

Design their salons ergonomically to avoid these issues. This includes:

• Providing equipment at the correct height, with adjustable stools and chairs for sitting.
• Ensuring materials and equipment like shampoos, scissors, or hairdryers are within easy reach.
• Ensure your staff take regular breaks and exercise.
• Rotate repetitive tasks to prevent injuries. (For example, rotate basin duty to prevent strain from leaning and too much contact with water.)
• Purchase equipment, like scissors and hair tools, that are safe and easy to use
• Store any frequently used heavy objects between the knee and shoulder height.

Chemical hazards

Exposure to harsh chemicals like bleach, aerosols, and cleaning products is common in hair salons and can lead to serious illnesses, including skin and respiratory disorders.

To reduce risks involved with exposure, employers should:

• Accurately label products that contain hazardous chemicals or ingredients
• Where possible, substitute with less harmful products
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for safe use
• Avoid contact with carcinogenic ingredients or toxic hair dyes.
• Train workers in WHMIS and safe handling of hazardous products
• Safely store and dispose of products
• Ensure appropriate ventilation when working with hazardous fumes.
• Enforce use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes gloves, aprons, and eye protection.
• Ensure PPE equipment is made from the appropriate material that will protect against the chemical being used.

Safety hazards

Some of the most common safety concerns faced by staff in hair salons are the risk of cuts, bruises, and burns from scissors, hairdryers, chemicals, and other equipment.

Slips, trips, and falls from wet and untidy floors, stray wires, and obstructed floors are just as common in the beauty industry. Fire and electrical hazards are another potential source of harm in a salon.

To reduce risk of injury, employers should:

• Inspect tools and equipment and ensure they’re in good condition
• Read manufacturer’s instructions on using appliances safely
• Ensure all sharp objects are disposed of safely.
• All tools and equipment is disinfected after every use.
• Floors are cleaned at regular intervals, and any spills are cleaned right away.
• Employees wear comfortable shoes with non-skid soles.
• Follow electrical safety measures
• Train workers on fire safety
• Maintain a first-aid kit and have first-aid training

Physical hazards

The hair salon is inherently a noisy place due to the frequency of people talking and equipment used, such as hair dryers.

Employers should:

• Purchase quieter equipment where possible.
• Use sound enclosures or noise-reducing surfaces.

Psychological hazards

Workers in hair salons are prone to shift work and long hours. It can be a very stressful environment due to the fast-paced nature of appointments and having to at times deal with difficult clients.

To promote psychological safety in the workplace, employers should:

• Evenly distribute working hours
• Not overbook staff
• Ensure buffer periods between appointments.
• Treat all employees in a fair and respectful way
• Involve employees in decision-making/invite inputs

Biological hazards

Workers in a salon may be exposed to biological hazards such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. There is a high risk of contracting infectious diseases as well fungal infections.

Cleanliness and hygiene are critical to controlling biological hazards. Employers should:

• Wash hands with soap before and after working with clients to avoid spreading germs.
• Wear gloves and avoid clients who may have cuts, sores, blisters, or visibly infected skin on their hands, feet, or nails.
• Avoid all contact with blood or bodily fluids.
• Clean and disinfect tools and equipment after each client. Store all disinfected tools in a clean, covered area.
• Throw away disposable gloves immediately after using them
• Only use ultraviolet (UV) sanitizing boxes to store disinfected reusable metal tools.

Do you need help creating a health and safety policy?

Helping small businesses build a strong culture of health and safety is our priority. Our health and safety advisers can help answer any questions you may have about health and safety in the workplace and guide you on  any other HR, workplace health & safety or employment matter. To learn more about how our services can benefit your business, call an expert today at 1 (833) 247-3562.