Health, Safety & Hygiene:

Health, Safety & Hygiene

Safety and hygiene standards should always be as high as possible whenever any form of treatment is carried out. It is vital that hygiene and cleanliness are prime considerations; not only for the satisfaction of the client but also to comply with legal requirements.  These are laid down by the Health and Safety at work Act and the local Environmental Health Office.  Business premises are inspected annually and must conform to various hygiene requirements.  Regulations may vary from area to area.

Cross infection must always be avoided. By thoroughly checking for contraindications where it is possible to avoid working on people who have obvious infections. However, clients are not always aware that infection is present. It is therefore necessary for the safety and well-being of both client and practitioner that sound hygiene measures are strictly adhered to.

When performing any type of therapy treatment where very little equipment is used, and the range of the hygiene measures that had to be implemented are reduced:

1. Surfaces and equipment should be washed daily with antiseptic solution.
2. Tools should always be sterilised
3. Floors should be hovered and mopped daily
4. Caps and lids on bottles and jars should be immediately replaced when you have used them to avoid spillage
5. Towels and any linen should be changed for each client
6. Couch roll and face covers should be used at all times
7. First aid kit should be available
8. All paper waste should be disposed immediately into a covered container and disposed at the end of each day. Waste bins should be disinfected daily
9. Toilets and washbasins should be cleaned daily with the appropriate chemicals
10. All oil spills should be wiped up immediately
11. Disposable gloves should be available
12. Use antibacterial hand wash between each treatment
13. Wipe massage chair / couch with antibacterial spray after each treatment

Personal Hygiene:

The practitioner should also adopt high standards of personal image to avoid cross infection at all times:

1. Always wash hands, preferably with an antibacterial soap prior to the treatment and ensure nails are clean
2. Long hair should be tied back
3. Take regular showers
4. Prevent body odour by using deodorant
5. Clean teeth twice a day and have regular dental checks
6. Avoid eating heavily spiced foods before each treatment
7. Keep fingernails short and don’t wear polish.
8. Wear minimal make up and no jewellery
9. Don’t use strongly fragranced perfumes.
10. Wash hands with anti-bacterial soap between each treatment.

Client Hygiene:

Consultation procedures should screen out the majority of problems, however do not rely on the client’s word and make your own visual and verbal check.  The following steps can be taken to avoid cross infection:

1. Provide washing facilities and hand wash for the clients to use before and after treatment.
2. Avoid working over any obvious skin abrasions.
3. Try to avoid breathing over a client or allow them to breathe over you during the treatment.

Preparation of your Work Area:

Treatment Area

It is most important that you present the best impression of yourself, whether that is in your own treatment room, in a salon or at a client’s home.  The following information should help you to ensure the best impression is always provided.

Work Area Preparation of the working area prior to the client’s arrival is vital, not only to provide the right impression to the client, but also to ensure that the treatment provided can be completed in the given timeframe.

Keeping equipment clean and sterile:

All waste should be disposed of into a lined pedal operated waste bin immediately after use.  Waste should never be left on a trolley.  All surfaces should be wiped down with sanitiser after each use.  Methods of sterilisation and disinfection should be used for tools and equipment.

Disinfection – destroys some bacteria and organisms i.e. barbicide

Sterilisation – Destroys all bacteria and organisms i.e. an autoclave