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UCO34M Health, safety and hygiene

Unit reference number: Y/615/0807

Level: 2

Guided learning (GL) hours: 30

Overview

This unit will enable learners to understand the principles of health and safety at work within a salon, barbershop or spa. It introduces to learners the key legislation and legal and regulatory factors that govern health and safety requirements and emergency procedures, and their importance in the hair and beauty workplace. Learners will develop knowledge of how to recognise hazards and their associated risks, the limits of authority when dealing with the hazards found, and how to follow safe and hygienic working practices. Learners will also need know how to be able to locate firefighting equipment, first aid resources and have an awareness of fire, emergency and evacuation procedures.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit, learners will: LO1 Know the principles of health and safety

LO2 Understand how to maintain health, safety, hygiene and security practices

LO3 Understand how to follow emergency procedures

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Assessment requirements

Learners must complete both assessment requirements related to this unit:

1. External examination 2. Graded synoptic assessment

1. External examination

The theory content of LO1, LO2 and LO3 will be tested by an external examination towards the end of the learning period. External examinations will test knowledge and understanding from across the whole vocational area (mandatory units). Learners should use the unit content section of this unit to aid revision since exam questions will test the full breadth of this section. External examinations will be set and marked by VTCT and will contribute to the overall qualification grade.

2. Graded synoptic assessment

In the last term or final third of their qualification, learners will be required to undertake a graded synoptic assessment. This will require learners to carry out a range of services from across the whole vocational area (mandatory units). Assessment coverage will vary year on year, although all services will be covered over time. VTCT will set a brief for centres which will detail the services to be covered in the graded synoptic assessment. Grading descriptors for the synoptic assessment will also be provided by VTCT. The graded synoptic assessment will be marked and graded by centre staff and externally verified by VTCT. The graded synoptic assessment will contribute to the overall qualification grade.

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Unit content

LO1 Know the principles of health and safety

Learners must know the main influencing factors regarding health and safety: Learners must know what factors influence the principles of health and safety, these include:

Environmental factors – the conditions in which people work, for example the working temperature, ventilation and noise

Occupational factors – people may be at risk from certain illnesses due to the services or treatments they offer, for example asthma from hairdressing or beauty products

Human factors – people contribute to accidents through poor behaviour, carelessness, error or haste

Learners must know the key vocabulary connected with health and safety:

Health – a state of wellbeing

Safety – the absence of risks

Workplace – any area or building where people work

Health and safety policy – a document outlining an employer’s policy and commitment to health and safety

HSE (Health and Safety Executive) – the body that regulates health and safety and enforces authority

Accident – an unplanned and uncontrolled event with the potential to cause injury

Hazard – something with the potential to cause harm

Risk – the likelihood that a hazard will cause harm

PPE – personal protective equipment Learners must know the importance of legislation: Learners must understand their legal obligations regarding health and safety legislation. For example, if a piece of electrical equipment has become faulty, the learner must report it, label it as faulty and remove it from use. Failure to comply with legislation can have serious consequences for both organisations and individuals. Consequences for not following health and safety legislation could be:

Injury (to self or to others)

Loss of client trust

Bad reputation for salon

Loss of business

Legal action

Fines

Imprisonment

Learners must know the legislation required for salon services: Each policy covers requirements for employers and employees; learners must know how each policy affects themselves and their employers

Health and Safety at work requires: - Employers to:

Provide and maintain a safe working environment

Provide adequate welfare facilities

Provide safe systems of work

Provide information, training and supervision

Ensure the safe handling, storage and movement of goods and materials

Provide and maintain safe equipment

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- Examples for employers may include: A training session specifically dealing with the salon’s policies for

handling and storage of equipment

Specific training sessions for staff to develop skills and product knowledge or safe handling of goods or equipment

Employers’ expectations regarding salon uniform, professional conduct, greeting the client and answering telephone calls

- Employees to: Act responsibly and not endanger self or others by their actions

Co-operate with an employer to fulfil duties

Not misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety

Report all accidents, incidents and unsafe conditions of practice

- Examples expected by employers for employees may include: Mandatory attendance at training sessions

Ensuring professional image and conduct is maintained within the salon

Reporting verbally or in writing to manager, supervisor or salon owner any accidents or incidents, however minor, that may occur

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR) requires:

- Employers to report to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

- Employees must ensure that they have notified the employer of any potential work-related illness which may include dermatitis, occupational asthma, death, major injury or dangerous occurrence that occurs within the salon in order that the employer can fulfil their reporting obligations

Health and Safety (First Aid) regulations requires an employer to: - Provide a suitably equipped first aid box

- Appoint a person to undertake first aid training and to take charge when someone has a minor injury, e.g. burn or cut

Manual Handling Operation requires: - Employers to:

Provide training in manual handling

Reduce the risk of injury for any tasks undertaken

Assess the working environment for risks, for example a pregnant staff member may not be able to lift heavy stock boxes from high shelves so items should be stored at a lower level

- Employees to: Take reasonable care and ensure others are not affected by their

actions

Use equipment provided by an employer to enable staff to move or access heavy loads, e.g. heavy ladder to access products or stock from high shelves

Follow the safe systems of work that an employer has provided, e.g. instructions not to climb on shelves to access products

Data Protection Act protects people’s rights to confidentiality and privacy. It requires: - Employers to:

Provide correct storage equipment for client records

Safely secure employees information and payment details

Only use information for the purpose it was intended

Information must be accurate and kept up to date

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Information must be kept for no longer than is necessary

Password protect electronic information

Employees and clients must have access to any information held about them

- Employees to: Use storage for client records correctly

Only use information for the purpose it was intended

Ensure information is accurate and kept up to date

Ensure information is kept for no longer than is necessary

Password protect electronic information

Allow clients access to any information held about them

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) requires: - Employers to:

Assess the risk to health from hazardous products and decide what precautions are required

Introduce appropriate measures to control exposure to hazardous products

Ensure employees follow the control measures and safety precautions and use protective equipment when appropriate

Inform and instruct employees about the risks and precautions and train accordingly in dealing with, storing and disposing of hazardous products, e.g. aerosol hairsprays to be kept away from naked flames and heat sources

COSHH states that all learners/employees must be given information, instruction and training on both hazardous and potentially hazardous chemicals used in the salon. An example of this would be the correct storage of hydrogen peroxide which is classed as hazardous

- Employees to: Store, handle, use and dispose of all substances hazardous to health

following salon policy, manufacturers’ instructions, and local by-laws

Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (PPE) requires: - Employers to:

Assess the need for personal protective equipment

Train staff in the use of PPE

Ensure PPE is provided and is fit for purpose, e.g. gowns adequately protect the client

- Employees to: Be correctly presented with appropriate personal protective equipment

where salon services/treatments may present a risk or hazard

Ensure personal protective equipment includes all necessary items for the client including gowns, towels and plastic capes

Protect the client adequately when in the salon

Electricity at Work Regulations requires: - Employers to:

Ensure all electrical equipment is checked by a competent person at least once a year and a Portable Appliance Test (P.A.T.) is conducted

All checks are recorded and the equipment updated with appropriate P.A.T. tag

Ensure these checks are carried out and records maintained including repairs to equipment

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- Employees to: Ensure that all equipment has been maintained and is safe to use, e.g.

loose or frayed wires on a hairdryer or electric couch are unsafe and must be reported as unusable

Report and label any broken equipment to avoid it being used and potentially causing harm

Check temperatures and settings on equipment before switching on and using on the client

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LO2 Understand how to maintain health, safety, hygiene and security practices

Learners must know the importance of working safely and hygienically within their work environment:

Work safely at all times adhering to all health and safety legislation that must be followed within the salon, barbershop or spa

Work hygienically with the use of clean and non-contaminated products, fresh clean towels, sterilised tools and equipment

Follow workplace and suppliers’ or manufacturers’ instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products

Prepare and protect self, client and service area in accordance with salon, barbershop or spa requirements

Use appropriate personal protective equipment for self and client, e.g. the client’s own clothes must be fully protected with appropriate protective garments in accordance with the service or treatment

Remain alert to risks and hazards throughout the service/treatment and understand how this may affect services – spillages, obstacles, obstructions, broken equipment and trailing wires

Adopt correct posture of self/client to avoid fatigue and minimise injury

Ensure that the service area is clean and tidy throughout the service/treatment

Proceed with the service/treatment without causing danger or damage to self, client or work area

Adopt the correct methods of waste disposal – dilute chemicals with running water, recycle and be aware of environmental protection

Prevent contact dermatitis – wear gloves when using chemicals, wash and dry hands thoroughly and use moisturiser/barrier cream

Learners must know the difference between hazards and risks within a salon

A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm: - Trailing wires from hair or beauty equipment

- Product spilt on the floor, e.g. shampoo or massage oil

- Hot equipment, e.g. hair straighteners or a wax heater

A risk is the likelihood that the hazard will actually cause harm: - The learner or a client may trip over the trailing wires

- The learner or a client may slip on the spillage

- The learner or a client may be burnt on the hot equipment Learners must know the limits of their authority:

When to report a risk or hazard

How to report a risk or hazard

When to refer or seek guidance from a senior staff member, manager or salon owner Learners must know about the types of accidents and emergencies that can happen in a salon environment:

Accidental injury – a trip or fall resulting in a minor injury, e.g. sprain or cut to skin

Accidents using products and equipment – shock, burn or scald from electrical items, inhalation of products, trip or fall resulting from hazard

Medical conditions, e.g. angina, heart attack, asthma attack, epilepsy

Fire – building, electrical equipment, flammable products

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Other – suspected bomb, chemical spillage, theft, security issues (breaking and entering), abuse, vulnerable persons

Learners must know the importance of personal protective equipment

Learners must know the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary for each service/treatment to maintain health and hygiene to the client and themselves

Client protection is of equal importance. Learners must know the consequences if a client is not adequately protected during salon services. The client has possible grounds to sue or claim against the salon for replacement clothes, claiming negligence, examples include:

Service or Treatment

PPE

Learner

PPE

Client

Examples/reasons

Shampoo and conditioning

Gloves Gown, plastic cape, towel

Prevent the client’s clothes from getting wet whilst at a back basin.

Cutting/blow-drying/setting and dressing and other hair services

Closed-toed shoes

Gown, towel, cutting collar/plastic cape

Prevent hair entering feet and causing infection. Preventative measure for accidental dropping of products and/or equipment causing injury.

Colouring, Bleaching

Gloves and apron

Optional: Face mask, goggles

Gown, plastic cape, towel, barrier cream

Prevents staining of clothes and hands. Gloves also add protection against possible contact dermatitis/chemical damage to hands. If learners suffer from allergies or asthma a mask should be worn to prevent chemical inhalation. In extreme cases of effects from inhalation of products, eye protectors and face masks should be worn, particularly bleaching powders to prevent further respiratory problems.

Perming, Chemical relaxing

Gloves and apron

Gown, plastic cape, towel, barrier cream, cotton wool

Specifically to avoid contact with perming or relaxing agent on hands and to prevent product staining on uniform/clothes.

Eye treatments Gloves. Apron (where required for tinting)

Headband (optional)

Towel

Cape (optional)

Gloves to prevent contact with the skin. An apron to protect the therapist’s clothes and a headband to protect client’s hair if required. A towel and/or cape should be used to protect the client’s clothes in the immediate area.

UV Gel/liquid and powder

Gloves, goggles or safety glasses and dust mask

Goggles/safety glasses

Gloves for hygiene reasons and to prevent contact between any irritants/chemicals and the skin. An apron will protect the therapist’s clothes.

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Spray tanning Disposable gloves, apron, mask

Headband/cap, disposable underwear, eye goggles, nose plugs (optional) for the client

Gloves as a hygiene precaution and also to protect the therapist’s skin from tan staining during application. An apron will protect the uniform and a mask to prevent inhalation. The client needs hair protection in the form of a cap/headband and disposable underwear must be available plus disposable protectors for the feet. Goggles and nose plugs should be optional for the client.

Manual tanning

Disposable gloves, apron

Headband/cap, disposable underwear

Gloves as a hygiene precaution and also to protect the therapist’s skin from tan staining during application. An apron will protect the therapist’s uniform. The client needs hair protection in the form of a cap/headband and disposable underwear, these must be available.

Waxing Gloves, apron Gown, towels/disposable couch roll

Gloves to protect the therapist’s skin and an apron to protect the uniform. A gown should be available for the client plus towels and disposable couch roll to protect the client’s clothes and work area.

Electrical filing for nails

Gloves, apron, safety glasses or goggles, dust mask

Safety glasses or goggles, dust mask

Gloves for hygiene reasons and to protect the therapist’s skin. Safety glasses/goggles will protect both the therapist’s and client’s eyes and a dust mask should be available to avoid inhaling dust.

Learners must know the importance of good personal presentation: Personal appearance should combine safety and professionalism to avoid accidents and give a positive professional image of a salon. Learners must:

Know the importance of personal appearance and to be clean, hygienic and in accepted uniform/clothes

Avoid wearing obtrusive jewellery which may be a hazard

Always wear correct protective clothing

Have a high standard of cleanliness

Have clean tidy hair and clean nails

Cover cuts and open wounds

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Learners must know the importance of preventing cross-infection, cross- contamination and cross-infestation: To prevent cross-infection, cross-contamination and cross-infestation within the salon environment, sterilisation of all tools and equipment must be undertaken; this ensures complete destruction of any living micro-organisms. Learners must know how to dispense products correctly. Learners must know how to use the sterilisation equipment within the salon, e.g. sterilisation fluids, ultra-violet cabinet, autoclave and cleaning detergents. Examples include:

There may be a potential threat to health

There may be potential loss of business

To ensure the image and reputation of the salon is maintained

Legal action may be taken against individuals or against the business Learners must know about sterilisation and disinfecting methods used in salons: Tools, equipment and work surfaces must be kept clean, well maintained and sterilised or disinfected. Sterilisation and disinfecting will prevent cross-infection/contamination. Learners must know:

Sterilisation – the killing of organisms such as bacteria, fungi and parasites

Disinfecting – the elimination of the most harmful microorganisms (not including their spores) from surfaces or objects

Cleaning/sterilisation Tools Use/Instructions

Autoclave Metal tools for hair or beauty, e.g. scissors, tweezers, cuticle knife/cuticle nippers

Steam is used at high temperatures to sterilise equipment. Tools/equipment usually take 20 minutes to sterilise; autoclaves are not suitable for wooden handled tools.

Chemical sterilisers Scissors, tweezers, combs, brushes, sectioning clips

Mostly used in chemical jars, a solution is made following manufacturers’ instructions. Tools are submerged for 20 minutes to be fully sterilised.

Ultra-violet cabinet All tools Ultra-violet rays sterilise tools; turn tools after 20 minutes to ensure both sides are fully sterilised.

Moist heat Towels, gowns Hot cycle on washing machine used to kill bacteria and clean effectively.

Cleaning detergents Work surfaces Must be used at correct concentrations and is used mostly to decontaminate surfaces and air.

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LO3 Understand how to follow emergency procedures

Learners must know the correct use of firefighting equipment for different types of fire: There are different types of fire extinguishers available. Not all of them will be suitable for salon, barbershop or spa use. Employers should provide the correct firefighting equipment most suitable to the fire risks in the workplace

Water fire extinguisher (red label) for use on solids, wood, paper, textiles, best use examples could be magazines at reception, hair cuttings, gowns, towels

Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher (black label) for use on liquid and electrical equipment, best use examples could include hair dryers, computers

Dry powder (blue label) for liquid, paper, wood, electricity, plastics, textiles, best use examples could include magazines at reception, hair cuttings, gowns, towels, peroxide

Foam extinguisher (cream label) for use on flammable liquids, a best use example would include burning peroxides

Fire blanket to be used to place over the fire to extinguish the flames of a burning liquid or a person, a best use example could be to wrap someone whose clothes are burning in the fire blanket and get them to drop and roll

Alarm (smash glass and hit alarm) to be activated in the event of a fire, to allow evacuation of the building to take place and alert the fire brigade and ensure the fire is fully extinguished before anyone returns to the building

Learners must know the dangers of the incorrect use of firefighting equipment on different types of fires: No single extinguisher is suitable for all types of fire, and using the wrong extinguisher could make the fire worse and increase the immediate danger for anyone using it. Examples of dangers from using the incorrect fire equipment could include:

Fires that seem out could reignite

Jets of dry powder or foam can spread burning liquid if aimed incorrectly

Fire could explode and become uncontrollable

Electrocution

Injury to staff, clients or damage to belongings/property Learners must know the salon policy for security of staff, clients and visitors: Everyone working in the salon, barbershop or spa is responsible for maintaining the security of themselves, clients and visitors. Learners must:

Be up to date with the systems for security – the locking/opening-up procedure, where personal and client belongings are kept for safety

Know emergency evacuation procedures – the location of fire exits and assembly point

Know how to store and use confidential staff and client records – use of passwords to maintain the confidentiality and security of staff and client information

Learners must be able to identify named emergency personnel: In the event of an emergency, a call should immediately be made to 999 and the relevant emergency service requested. To avoid damage, harm, injury or death only emergency personnel should deal with the emergency, they are:

Fire fighters

Medical staff – paramedic, doctors, nurses

Police

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Learners must be able to state the importance of reporting and recording accidents: Employers must provide an accident book to record any accidents in the workplace. An accident book is a valuable document that businesses use to record accident information. This will help to aid improvements and management of risk assessments, and provide evidence if legal action is taken. A record must be kept of:

Details of injuries from accidents in the workplace that need reporting under RIDDOR

An accident that causes injury that results in a worker being away from work for more than 3 days should be recorded, but not reported

Details of all accidents involving clients need to be recorded in case of legal action

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Resources

The special resources required for this unit are access to a real or realistic working environment which supports the provision of health and safety requirements. Access to the HSE website will support the delivery and research needed for this unit www.hse.gov.uk.

Delivery guidance

Teachers are encouraged to use innovative, practical and engaging delivery methods to enhance the learning experience. Learners may benefit from:

Meaningful employer engagement so they relate what is being learned to the real world of work and understand commercial competency and the use of products, tools and equipment

Work experience within a commercial salon, barber shop, or spa so they can practise their skills in a real environment

Using interactive information and technology, systems and hardware so they can learn about concepts and theories, research current legislations and regulation, research equipment knowledge and produce visual aids

Links with other units

This unit is closely linked to all practical units offered throughout VTCT hair and beauty qualifications suites. The ability to consult effectively with the client and provide optimum client care is paramount in developing strategies to build a successful business. Whether the client is being advised on products or treatments to be used within that treatment or additional or further treatments, the health and safety in the salon unit fundamentally underpins all practical units in this qualification.

Graded synoptic assessment

At the end of the qualification of which this unit forms part, there will be a graded synoptic assessment which will assess the learner’s ability to identify and use effectively in an integrated way an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories, and knowledge from a number of units from within the qualification. It is therefore necessary and important that units are delivered and assessed together and synoptically to prepare learners suitably for their final graded assessment.