Maybe you’ve never visited a beauty salon before, or maybe you are switching salons and want to compare. Whatever the reason, it is important that any beauty salon you visit adheres to the latest health and safety procedures.

Not only is a legal requirement, but failure to follow it could endanger the health, safety and welfare of their employees and most importantly yourself.

Things to remember:

Every salon must legally have a Health & Safety statement which should be reviewed annually. NOTE: this should be done more frequently if there has been a change to the process of new equipment.As a client: if you are concerned you can ask to see this statement and see when it was last updated.

All health and safety training should be recorded with the cards signed off by the trainer and the trainee. These should be maintained the entire time a beauty therapist is employed with the salon and should be kept for 10 years afterwards.As a client: this is especially useful if you are interested in trying a new beauty therapy treatment, as you can ask to see proof of their training (with the piece of equipment); where they attained it and how long ago they earned it. This will help you to determine if they are qualified/experienced enough to perform the task safely.

All accidents should be recorded immediately and kept for at least 10 years.As a client: this is good to know in the event you ever need to take further action against a salon. More importantly, you can use these records to see how safety conscious they are and if accidents are a regular occurrence. If they are, they’re probably not the right salon for you.

Risk assessments should be regularly carried out by management to assess the safety of the entire salon. During this assessment they will carefully examine what could cause harm or loss, so they can implement preventative measures to protect their staff, clients and visitors.

Now, whilst all beauty salons endeavour to comply with the above points; there are other things you can look out for – as a client – that can help you to feel safer whilst in their care.

Ventilation – does the beauty salon have sufficient windows/openings to ensure that you aren’t breathing in chemical fumes? If so, are they mechanical and do they look well maintained?

Lighting – this should be sufficient enough for the therapists to do their job and move around safely. Look for local lighting at their workstations, and around other places of risk.

Cleanliness and waste materials – all areas of the salon should be kept spotless and clean. This includes furniture, fittings, equipment, floors, walls and ceilings. Waste should always be stored in suitable receptacles, and the cleaning/removal of waste should be completed in an effective manner.For instance, to prevent the spread of skin conditions, all equipment should be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned between each client. Similarly:- Lipstick and eye applicators – should be used once and then be disposed of.
– Make-up samples – to prevent double dipping and the risk contamination, a sample of the product should be dispensed onto a separate dish/tray, before being disposed of after use.
– Hairbrush/ combs – if a client has dermatitis or a skin condition on their scalp, combs/hairbrushes should be thoroughly cleaned after use.

Equipment maintenance – all machinery/equipment that poses a risk to the health, safety and welfare of clients should be maintained and regularly checked for faults (to ensure they are in working order). This includes checking wiring to prevent accidental fires.As a client, you can ask staff for information on when a safety check was last performed. However, you should also be able to tell this yourself due to the condition/appearance of the equipment.

Flooring – is there enough room for you all to move freely in the event of a fire? Are there any holes or uneven surfaces on the floor? Are all articles/substances that could cause you to slip, trip or fall out of the way?

Fire safety – what are their procedures? Do you know the exit routes? Can you open, close and adjust windows in the event you need to escape? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Whether this is to see proof of their evacuation plans, fire extinguishers or fire blankets – ask them.

Sanitary/washing facilities – these should be readily accessible and be kept clean, adequately ventilated and lit. Sinks should come with running hot and cold water, soap and clean towels.

Your health and safety matters, so whether you are a beauty therapist working in a salon or a prospective client; don’t be afraid to ask the salon to prove their safety procedures or show that their equipment is safe, clean and sanitary.

Another route you can try is looking at home learning courses. They can provide you with an accurate picture of what to expect when working in/visiting a beauty salon, and all the relevant laws.

*Collaborative post