Health and Safety Policy Legislation affecting the beauty industry is governed both nationally and by the local licensing authorities. National Laws Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 - this is the main Act of Parliament relating to the responsibilities and expectations of both employers and employees whilst at work. The Health and Safety Act requires all employers to provide systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risk to health; employers are, therefore, expected to promote a safe, hygienic working environment and train their employees to preserve this level of professionalism. All persons covered by this law are expected to take reasonable care to avoid injury to themselves or others. The therapist will be required to use the following: • Protective eyeglasses • Apron • Vinyl/latex gloves • Protective mask. Health, Safety & Welfare Regulations 1992 - These regulations concern the development and maintenance of an appropriate and safe working environment. The law requires employers to conform to regulations governing lighting, ventilation, cleanliness and toilet facilities. The business is thus ensuring to: • Maintain the workplace ensuring all equipment, devices and systems are in good repair and in efficient working order. Repair and maintenance must be carried out promptly • Ventilation should be effective • Temperature in workplace should be at least 16 degrees • Lighting should be sufficient to enable work to be safely carried out. Floors, ceilings, walls and fixtures must be kept clean • Toilets should be well-ventilated, well-lit, clean and in sufficient numbers. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) - The employer is obligated to control their employees’ exposure to hazardous substances that they may encounter in the workplace; the employer is expected to assess the potential risks to all persons working or visiting the salon. The business is delivering periodical COSHH Assessments and has dedicated a COSHH-trained professional within the establishment. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 – These regulations apply to employers and the self-employed who provide equipment at work. The regulations require that equipment (both old and new) provided for use at work, is suitable for its intended use, is safe, well maintained and inspected to retain its condition. Employer responsibilities: • Affects both old and new equipment • Suitable equipment must be selected and maintained • A risk assessment should be carried out and training given in the safe use of the equipment. The business will undertake Risk Assessments and ensure that all findings are actioned as soon as possible. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) - Local government regulations state that any accident or incident in the workplace that led to an injury must be recorded in an accident book and kept on file. In the event of a serious accident that leads to the emergency services being called or an outbreak of disease within the salon, a report form must be completed and sent to the Local Authority. The business will ensure safety for all therapists and customers aside and ensures that a RIDDOR trained personnel is always available on site. Additionally, the business will ensure that a First Aider is available on site on every shift. The Data Protection Act 2018 - An act to make provision for the regulation of the processing of information relating to individuals, including the obtaining, holding, use or disclosure of such information. Therefore the type of data obtained and securing data is of paramount importance. The Data Protection Act 2018 is the UK’s implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Everyone responsible for using personal data has to follow strict rules called ‘data protection principles’, more details are available in the business’ Privacy Policy. The business ensures knowledge of the various micro-organisms, which cause infection, is necessary to ensure the adequacy and suitability of the salon’s hygiene precautions. Bacteria can be divided into two distinct groups: pathogenic and non-pathogenic. Pathogenic bacteria cause disease and non-pathogenic are harmless or even beneficial to the human body. Your standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the salon should target pathogenic bacteria and their spores. The therapist will ensure to avoid contamination of any type (direct or indirect). Sterilisation, Disinfection and Sanitisation Cleanliness and hygiene are of the utmost importance in a beauty salon; therapists must ensure that the premises, equipment and all materials used will be clean and germ-free. If hygiene standards are not met, the client and the therapist are at risk from infections caused by the various bacteria, viruses and fungi that could live and breed within the salon and the products utilised there. Methods of disinfection available to the therapist are as follows: • Surgical spirit – this is useful for wiping implements between clients – surgical spirit will inhibit the growth of bacteria. Surgical spirit is ideal for wiping down surfaces in the salon such as trolleys and couches. • Chemical agents – the chemical agents used for sterilisation can be diluted and used on weaker materials and plastic implements; the dilution process reduces the number of micro-organisms but does not destroy all bacteria, fungi and viruses. • Milton – effective against most types of bacteria and can be used for cleaning surfaces and floors. • Alcohol-impregnated wipes – these wipes can be used to reduce micro-organisms; they are available commercially, ideal for the salon and are disposable. The business will conduct regular checks and will oversee the day-to-day activities ensuring the safety of both therapist and customer in regard to: • Hygiene • COSHH (trained professional available on site) • RIDDOR (trained professional available on site) • First Aid (trained professional available on site) • Fire Safety (trained professional available on site) • General Safety and wellbeing at the salon (trained professional available on site)