Health and Safety - VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy

Describe environmental factors

- the conditions in which people work, for example the working temperature, ventilation and noise

Health

a state of wellbeing

Safety

the absence of risks

HSE (Health and Safety Executive)

the body that regulates health and safety and enforces authority

Duties of the self-employed

They're not under direct supervision when working.

They submit invoices for the work they've done.

They're responsible for paying their own National Insurance and tax.

They do not get holiday or sick pay when they're not working.

They operate under a contract (sometimes known as a 'contract for services' or 'consultancy agreement') that uses terms like 'self-employed', 'consultant' or an 'independent contractor'.

Duties of manufacturers

Ensuring that products have appropriate conformity marking and are labelled: including type, batch or serial number or other element allowing its identification, and the name and address of the manufacturer

Accompanied by the required documents in English: usually the Instructions and safety information,

Manufacturers must carry out sample testing on products which they have supplied. If necessary, they must also keep a register of complaints, non-conforming products and product recalls, and keep others in the supply chain informed about such monitoring.

Duties of suppliers

Following a request from an enforcing authority, suppliers must provide the authority with all the information and documentation necessary to demonstrate that the product is in conformity, and cooperate with the relevant authorities to evaluate and eliminate risk posed by the product.

Suppliers must also ensure traceability of products throughout the distribution chain, in particular by identifying to the authorities any other economic operator who supplied the product and to whom it was supplied (for ten years from the supply date).

Where suppliers re-brand products applying their own name, or modify a product made by another in a way not foreseen by the manufacturer, before making it available they must take on and fulfil all of the manufacturer's obligations of the relevant product law

Enforcement Officers

Improvement notices - An improvement notice specifies what you're doing that breaks the law and gives you the chance to correct what you are doing wrong. It can be served where an inspector is of the opinion that a person is contravening H&S laws.

Prohibition notices - If inspectors believe that your work activities give rise to a risk serious personal injury they may issue you with a prohibition notice, this usually requires you to stop that activity straight away.

Prosecution - Conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.

Why is legislation important for health and safety?

The aim of Health and Safety legislation is to require employers and employees to not put others or themselves in danger. The law also protects the public from workplace dangers.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Provide and maintain a safe working environment

Provide adequate welfare facilities

Provide safe systems of work

Provide information, training and supervision

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:- the 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, for example, burn or cut

Manual Handling Operation requires the employer 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

Data Protection Act protects people's rights to confidentiality and privacy. Requires employees too:

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:

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

Introduce appropriate measures to control exposure to hazardous products

Electricity at Work Regulations requires: employees too:

Ensure that all equipment has been maintained and is safe to use, for example, loose or frayed wires on a hair dryer 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

Welfare

The provision of facilities and any other measures to ensure a person's wellbeing

Work related stress

feeling anxious, unwanted pressure that can cause harm to the mind and body and has strong links to absences from work

What is a risk assessment?

is the process of identifying what hazards currently exist or may appear in the workplace.

A risk

is the likelihood that the hazard will actually cause harm

A hazard

is something with the potential to cause harm

Salon requirements for record keeping

Client records are an effective resource within a salon and provide accurate information regarding client treatments and services, history of clients, the products used, the dates of treatments and services and any tests carried out. They can be maintained electronically or on paper.

What is the purpose of a patch test?

To alert the therapist to any pre-disposed skin sensitivity of active, new or known ingredient that can potentially produce a reaction.

Patch testing for electrical facial treatment would include all active or new products to be used within the facial to ascertain suitability of products and sensitivity of the client.

How should a patch test be carried out?

Cleanse area (either crook of elbow or behind ear) - Apply product to the area with a brush - Allow to dry - Leave on for a minimum of 24 hours - Remove excess product

What is the correct length of time to apply a patch test before commencing treatment?

24-48 hours

What are the Insurance requirements

employer's insurance, public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance.

Legal requirements for providing treatments to minors

The age at which an individual is classed as a minor and how this differs nationally

For your insurance policy to cover you when treating clients under the age of 16 years, as well as operating within the manufacturer's guidelines you must have obtained the written permission of the child's parent/guardian, who must also be present during the treatment.

PPE (personal protective equipment)

a barrier between a person and pathogens; includes gloves, gowns, masks, goggles, and face shields

How to Prevent cross infection and cross infestation

Tools, equipment and work surfaces must be kept clean, well maintained and sterilised, sanitised/disinfected. This will prevent cross-infection/contamination.

Sterilisation - the killing of organisms such as bacteria, fungi and parasites - complete destruction of any living microorganisms.

What is sterilisation?

The procedure of destroying all microorganisms in or on a given environment, such as a surgical instrument, in order to prevent the spread of infection.

What is sanitisation/disinfection?

Disinfection kills germs on surfaces or objects through the use of chemical products. The disinfection process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, disinfection can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

Sanitisation means reducing the number of germs and microorganisms on surfaces or objects to a safe level. Sanitising is performed after cleaning, by disinfecting surfaces or objects to an approved level that further lowers the risk of spreading infection.

What is a glass bead steriliser?

is an instrument that sanitizes small, solid, metal and glass lab equipment in ten seconds by rapidly heating glass beads. With a deep heating chamber and a stainless-steel inner core, it heats dry, clean glass beads

How does an autoclave sterilise?

is to expose each item to direct steam contact at the required temperature and pressure for the specified time.