Health and Safety Regulations – SS3 Beauty & Cosmetology Lesson Note (Second Term)

Health and safety in a salon is the set of habits and rules that keep the workplace, tools and stylist clean so that infections and accidents do not harm clients or staff.

Behavioural objectives

1. Explain what salon hygiene is and state three benefits of high standards.
2. Describe good personal hygiene and workspace hygiene in a salon.
3. Distinguish between cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation, with an example of each.
4. State the roles of NAFDAC, state environmental protection agencies and local government health officers.
5. List the contents of a first aid kit and state basic fire safety and accident-recording rules.

Why does health and safety matter in a salon?

Health and safety matters because salon work involves sharp tools, chemicals and close contact with clients.

• Sharp tools: razors, scissors and nippers can cut the skin and pass on infection.
• Chemicals: relaxers, dyes and nail products can burn the skin or harm the lungs.
• Close contact: germs pass easily from one client to another through hands, combs and towels.
• Heat and electricity: hair dryers and curling irons can cause burns and fires.

What is salon hygiene?

Salon hygiene is the practice of keeping the environment, the tools and the stylist clean to prevent the spread of infection.

What are the benefits of high hygiene standards?

• Client trust: a client who sees you take a fresh, sterilised tool from a packet feels safe and returns.
• Professional reputation: you will not be known as the stylist who gave someone a skin infection or a rash.
• Legal protection: if you follow the regulations, you are less likely to be sued or shut down by the government.

What are personal and workspace hygiene rules?

Hygiene rules cover two areas: the stylist (personal hygiene) and the salon (workspace hygiene).

What is personal hygiene for a stylist?

Personal hygiene is the way a stylist keeps their own body and clothing clean while working.

• Hand washing: your first line of defence. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after every client.
• Clean uniform: wear a clean apron or clean clothes every day.
• Jewellery: avoid long, dangling jewellery that can catch in hair or dip into chemicals.
• Short nails: keep your fingernails short and clean so they do not hold bacteria.
• Cuts on your hands: cover them with a plaster or wear gloves.
• Protective wear: use gloves and an apron when handling dyes, relaxers and other chemicals.

What is workspace hygiene?

Workspace hygiene is the cleanliness and safe arrangement of the salon floor, air, surfaces and waste.

• Floors: sweep up hair at once. Hair on the floor is a slip hazard and someone could fall and break a bone.
• Ventilation: many nail products and hair dyes give off strong fumes. Keep windows open or use fans so you do not get dizzy or develop breathing problems.
• Waste disposal: keep a lidded bin for general waste and a sharps box for used razor blades and needles.
• Towels and capes: use a clean towel or cape for each client and wash them after use.
• Chemical storage: keep products in their labelled containers, closed and away from heat and children.

What is the difference between cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation?

Cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation are three levels of germ control, each stronger than the last.

What is cleaning?

Cleaning is the removal of visible dirt using soap and water.

• It lowers the number of germs but does not kill them all.
• It is used for floors, counters and tools before disinfection.

What is disinfection?

Disinfection is the use of chemicals to kill most bacteria and viruses on hard surfaces.

• Common disinfectants include bleach and alcohol, used as directed on the label.
• It is used for combs, brushes and workstations.
• Pro-tip: clean tools with soap and water before putting them in a disinfectant, or the chemical will not work properly.

What is sterilisation?

Sterilisation is the highest level of germ control and kills all germs, including spores.

• The autoclave: a machine that uses high-pressure steam to kill all germs. It is used for reusable metal tools that may draw blood, such as manicure nippers.
• UV cabinets: they only kill germs the light touches. If one tool covers another, the hidden part stays dirty, so they do not replace the autoclave.
• Single-use items: needles and razor blades are used once, then placed in the sharps box.

How do the three levels compare?

What are the steps for treating a reusable comb or brush?

1. Remove all hair from the tool.
2. Wash it with soap and water.
3. Rinse it with clean water.
4. Soak it in disinfectant for the time stated on the label.
5. Rinse if the label says so, then dry it and store it in a clean, closed container.

Which government agencies regulate salons in Nigeria?

NAFDAC, state environmental protection agencies and local government health officers are the main bodies that watch over salons in Nigeria.

What does NAFDAC regulate?

NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control) regulates the products used in salons.

• The rule: never use a cream, dye or chemical without a NAFDAC registration number.
• Unlabelled mixtures: using “mixed” creams without labels is illegal and dangerous.

What do state environmental protection agencies do?

State environmental protection agencies, such as LASEPA in Lagos, control how a salon affects the environment.

• Noise: your generator should not be too loud for neighbours.
• Waste: do not pour chemicals or oils into public drains. Dispose of them properly.

What do local government health officers check?

Local government health officers (often called “Wole Wole”) visit shops to check that they meet health rules.

• Permit: your business permit or licence.
• First aid: a working first aid kit.
• Sanitation: a clean toilet and running water.

Failure to comply can lead to fines or the shop being locked with a government sealing notice.

What emergency procedures and first aid should a salon have?

A salon needs a first aid kit, fire safety measures and an accident book so that staff know what to do when accidents happen.

What should be in a first aid kit?

A first aid kit is a box of basic medical supplies kept where everyone can reach it quickly.

• Bandages and plasters: to cover cuts and stop bleeding.
• Antiseptic liquid: such as Dettol or Savlon, for cleaning small wounds.
• Burn cream: for minor burns, for example from curling irons.
• Eye wash: for when a chemical splashes into the eye.

How do you give first aid for a small cut?

1. Wash your hands and put on gloves.
2. Press a clean cloth on the cut to stop the bleeding.
3. Clean the wound with antiseptic.
4. Cover it with a clean plaster or bandage.
5. Write the incident in the accident book.

What should you do for burns and chemical splashes?

• Minor burn: cool the area under clean running water for about ten minutes, then cover it loosely.
• Chemical in the eye: rinse the eye at once with eye wash or clean running water.
• Serious injury: take the client to a hospital or clinic without delay.

What are the basic fire safety rules?

• Extinguisher: keep a fire extinguisher near the exit.
• Wires: tuck electrical wires away and replace damaged ones.
• Sockets: do not plug too many hair dryers into one socket. Overloading is a common cause of electrical fires.
• Exits: keep the doorway clear so everyone can leave quickly.

What is the accident book?

The accident book is a record of every injury or bad reaction that happens in the salon.

• Date: when it happened.
• Details: what happened and who was hurt.
• Action: what you did to help.
• Purpose: it is your evidence if there is an argument later.

Evaluation

1. What is salon hygiene?
2. State three parts of good personal hygiene for a stylist.
3. Explain why tools must be cleaned with soap and water before they are put in a disinfectant.
4. What does NAFDAC regulate in the beauty sector?
5. Name four items that should be in a salon first aid kit.

Assignment

In your notebook, explain the difference between cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation, giving one example of a surface or tool for each, then state three things a local government health officer may check in a salon.