Health, Safety & Hygiene

Health, Safety & Hygiene

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995

Under the DDA Act 1996 as a provider of goods, facilities and services your workplace has the duty to ensure that clients are not discriminated against on the grounds of disability. Therefore because of the DDA Act it is unlawful without justification to

  •    Provide a service to a lesser standard
  •    Provide a service on worse terms
  •    Fail to make reasonable adjustments to the way the services are provided
  • Service can be denied to a disabled person if the denial is justified and if any other client would be treated in the same way. Your employer has a responsibility under the DDA Act to ensure that you receive adequate training to prevent discrimination practice and responsible for your own actions they must also make reasonable adjustments to the premises to facilitate access for disabled persons.

Treatment of minors

Injectable treatments are only available to those over 18. In some exceptional circumstances you may treat someone under the age of 18, however, they should be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must sign a consent form.

Health and Hygiene

Cross Infection occurs through the spread of disease from one person to another through poor hygiene practices. Secondary Infection can occur as a result of further injury to the client during treatment or if the client already has a skin abrasion, if bacteria penetrates the skin and cause infection. Sterilisation and sanitisation procedures are used in order to minimise or destroy harmful micro-organisms which could cause infection.

 

Hygiene of the treatment area

Hygiene is very important, not only to prevent cross infection but also to give a professional image to the client.  Below is a list of what is required as a therapist:

  • Always wash hands with medical grade disinfectant soap before and after each client.

       Always where gloves & change at regular intervals where cross contamination could occur

  • Sterilise all tools and equipment.

Change towels in the washroom/kitchen area regularly.

  •   Use and provide liquid soap (anti-bacterial).
  •   Have a separate sink available for clients.
  •   Paper towels must always be provided .
  •   Avoid touching your face & hair whilst working.
  •   Do not place tools or implements in your pockets, behind your ears or in your mouth.
  •   Use spatulas to remove products from pots.
  •   Make sure all bottles and pots are labeled correctly.
  •   Sanitise treatment area with cleaning products such as Clinel or Barbicide,
  • Any cuts or abrasions on the hands should be covered & gloves worn

Method Description

Sanitisation Will reduce the number of bacteria on the surface. This is the lowest form of decontamination and should be carried out before disinfection and sterilization. Sanitisation sprays are normally available from your product manufacturer for use on files, buffers and workstations.

Disinfecting The second stage of decontamination and greatly reduces the pathogenic bacteria on a non-living surface. This method is not suitable for hair, skin or nails. Disinfection is used on walls, floors, workstations, chairs, treatment bowls.

Sterilising Is the total destruction of all living micro-organisms on an object. Items that can be sterilised include metal implements such as a cuticle knife, nippers, tweezers and plastic tools.

Effective methods of sterilisation include a glass bead steriliser, an autoclave and chemical solutions.  The best method is Autoclave.

Accidents

Any accidents that occur in the workplace must be recorded on a report form and entered into an accident book to see where improvements to working practices can be made. The report form requires more details than the accident book – you must note down;

  • The date and time of accident
  • The date entry into the accident book
  • The name of the person or people involved
  • The injury sustained
  • The action taken
  • The signature of the person taking the entry

 

Practitioners Professionalism and Code of Ethics

 

In order to have a long-standing career in Aesthetics is vital to present the correct impression. Make sure you are well presented and have good communication skills and always carry out treatments to a high standard.

 

Practitioner Insurance

You must be insured in order to carry out treatments after completion of this course you will receive a diploma certified The Enhance Me Academy which will allow you to get your insurance, we recommend Insync https://insyncinsurance.co.uk/

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 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:

  • Surfaces and equipment should be washed daily with antiseptic solution.

  • Tools should always be sterilised

  • Floors should be hoovered and cleaned daily with medical grade disinfectant

  • Couch covers should be wipeable

  • Couch roll used as protective bib when treating your client

  • First aid kit should be available

  •  Disposable kidney bowls used for all consumables & prepped before the clients

  arrival

  • Washbasins & all surfaces should be cleaned daily with the appropriate chemicals

  • All surfaces within your treatment room should be wipeable

  • Disposable gloves should be available

  • Use antibacterial hand wash between each treatment

  • Spray treatment couch with medical grade antibacterial spray after each treatment

Personal Hygiene:

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

  • Always wash hands, preferably with an antibacterial soap prior to the treatment and ensure nails are clean

  • Long hair should be tied back

  •  Keep fingernails short and wear understated polish.

  •  Wear minimal make up and jewellery

  • Wash hands with anti-bacterial soap between each treatment.

Client Hygiene & Preparation

Consultation procedures should screen out most 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:

  • Provide washing facilities and hand wash for the clients to use before and after treatment.

  • Avoid working over any obvious skin abrasions.

  • Try to avoid breathing over a client wear a face mask & encourage them to breathe normally during the treatment.

  • Ensure chewing gum is removed prior to laying your client back for treatment

 

Preparation of your Work 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.

Reception

The first impression your client receives will depend upon the way she/he is greeted and the surroundings they are placed into.  A professional atmosphere should always be presented, front of house staff should be warm and engaging. A private space should be available to discuss the consultation form and write observations.  Your client should feel comfortable, warm and relaxed.

Calm efficiency and organisation should be clearly apparent to the client from her first contact with you as this will instil confidence in the professional skills you will be offering.    It is essential that you have an excellent consultation technique, together with a sound knowledgeable response to any questions the client may raise.

A tentative enquiry, if dealt with in a calm, efficient and knowledgeable manner, can become a regular client booking.  Client satisfaction will result from fulfilling the requirements of the client in a professional and efficient manner.  You should always refrain from pressurising a client into taking treatments or buying product, you should always offer a cooling off period where appropriate,

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 time frame.  It also minimises the risk of cross contamination.

  • A therapy room should be relaxing yet clinical & spotlessly clean. The working area should preferably have a good supply of natural light. The environment quiet.

  • Windows should be adequately screened with binds/curtains so that the client feels they have total privacy

  • Ensure you are not interrupted during the client’s treatment time

  • Turn mobile phones to silent

  • The room you work in should be adequate in size and allow you to walk freely around your client.

  • The floor & all surfaces should be of a material that is wipeable. Your treatment room will not meet council guidelines if this is not the case.

  • Always make sure that the room you’re working in is sterilised & clean. Remember, first impressions last.

  • A couch with a wipeable cover should be provided with suitable support for your    client

  • Temperature and ventilation:  Your room must be warm enough for the client not to become chilled but not so warm that it’s uncomfortable for you to work or to compromise the client’s comfort.