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Wearing proper PPE is essential for home-based, mobile and salon nail technicians. Why? It helps to protect the health and safety of you and your clients, of course! If you’re new to the biz and you’re not sure where to start when it comes to choosing the right PPE. Don’t worry, we’re here to help! We’ll walk you through all the key bits of kit to ensure both you and your clients remain safe at all times.
What is PPE?
PPE stands for personal protective equipment, and it’s used in almost all industries in different shapes and forms. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive is responsible for making sure nail technicians, amongst other beauty professionals, maintain the highest standards of Health and Safety whilst completing their work. This is especially important if you work in a salon, as you may receive a healthy and safety inspection from time to time.
HSE’s PPE requirements for beauticians
Nail appointments present a number of risks for both clients and nail techs, these can include:
- Exposure to harmful chemicals: Nail technicians work with a variety of chemicals, including solvents, adhesives, acrylics, and gels. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can lead to skin irritations, dermatitis, and allergies. Inhaling fumes from these chemicals can cause respiratory issues, such as asthma or chronic bronchitis.
- Dust inhalation: The process of filing and shaping nails produces fine dust particles. Inhaling nail dust can lead to respiratory problems and may cause lung issues over time.
- Musculoskeletal problems: Nail technicians often spend long hours sitting or standing in the same position, which can lead to musculoskeletal problems such as back pain, neck strain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Eye strain: Close and detailed work can strain the eyes, leading to discomfort, eye fatigue, and vision problems.
- Nail injuries: There is a risk of nail technicians accidentally injuring themselves and clients, particularly with sharp tools or sharp nail fragments.
- Repetitive stress injuries: The repetitive motions involved in nail care, such as filing, buffing, and clipping, can lead to repetitive stress injuries like tendinitis and bursitis.
- Infection risks: Nail technicians are at risk of contracting infections from clients if proper hygiene and sanitation practices are not followed properly.
- Allergic reactions: You may develop allergies to the chemicals and materials they work with, which can lead to skin rashes and other allergic reactions.
- Burns: Heat-based nail treatments, such as using UV or LED lamps for gel nails, can cause burns if not used properly.
- Hearing loss: Nail salons can be noisy environments, and prolonged exposure to high levels of noise may lead to hearing loss over time.
As a result, HSE has outlined clear COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) guidelines for beauticians on their website. This gives you a good idea of the PPE you need as a nail technician. Specifically, they recommend the following if you work in a nail bar or salon:
- Provide protective gloves for handling nail products and solvents single-use gloves are acceptable. If you must use latex gloves, use only ‘low protein, powder-free’ gloves.
- Throw away ‘single-use’ gloves every time they are taken off.
- Skin creams are important for skin conditions. They help in washing contamination from the skin. After-work creams help to replace skin oils.
More information here.
COSHH risk assessments for nail techs: Are they essential?
Do you need to complete a COSHH risk assessment if you’re a nail tech? Yes!
Whether you’re working from home or from a salon, it’s essential to complete a COSHH risk assessment to ensure you’re adhering to government guidelines and staying safe from exposure to harmful substances.
Here’s a guide if you’re unsure of how to complete a COSHH assessment.
The benefits of proper PPE for nail technicians
Investing in the right PPE in nail salons can bring about a world of benefits for you and your business! It’s certainly something that should be taken seriously.
Health and safety
PPE helps protect nail technicians from potential health hazards in the workplace. Many nail treatments involve the use of chemicals, which can irritate the skin and eyes or even cause long-term health issues. PPE like gloves, masks, and eye protection will shield you from these risks.
Preventing the spread of infections
Proper PPE is essential to prevent the transmission of infections between clients and nail technicians. This is particularly important when dealing with manicures and pedicures, as improper hygiene practices can lead to the spread of fungal, bacterial, and viral infections.
Air quality
Nail technicians are often exposed to hazardous fumes and dust from nail products. Wearing masks and using ventilation systems can protect them from inhaling these potentially harmful substances, reducing the risk of respiratory and breathing issues.
Chemical protection
Many nail products contain strong chemicals, such as solvents and acetone. PPE helps prevent contact with the skin, which can cause irritation or dermatitis, and it also safeguards against accidental ingestion or inhalation.
Eye protection
Nail technicians work with sharp objects and chemicals that can potentially splash into the eyes, causing injuries or irritation. Eye protection is essential for preventing accidents.
Client safety
PPE ensures that nail technicians do not inadvertently transfer contaminants from one client to another, maintaining a hygienic environment and safeguarding customers’ well-being.
Regulatory compliance
In the UK (and worldwide) there are regulations and standards in place that require nail technicians to use PPE for their safety and the safety of clients. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines or even the closure of the salon.
Professionalism
Wearing proper PPE in a nail salon demonstrates professionalism and a commitment to client safety. It can also enhance the reputation of the salon and lead to increased client trust.
What PPE do you need if you’re a nail technician? and why is ppe important in a salon?
Okay, so we’ve covered the basics, but if you really want to make sure you and your clients are safe there’s a whole host of nail technician PPE you can invest in. We’ve broken it down for you below:
Gloves
Disposable, nail tech gloves are typically used to protect both the nail technician and the client. They help prevent the transmission of infections and minimise contact with chemicals and nail dust.
Face masks
Face masks are crucial for nail technicians to protect against inhaling fumes, dust, and particles generated during nail treatments. They also help reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.
Eye protection
Safety goggles or face shields can protect the eyes from accidental splashes of chemicals or nail dust, which could cause irritation or injury.
High-quality beauty uniform
Investing in a beauty uniform that’s durable and hard-wearing can help protect clothing from spills and prevent the spread of contaminants from one client to another.
Closed-toe shoes
Nail technicians should wear closed-toe shoes to protect their feet from any spills or dropped objects.
Nail dust extraction system
A nail dust collector, such as a vacuum or an air filtration system, can help capture and remove nail dust and fumes, improving air quality in the salon.
Air purifier
A nail dust collector can’t filter out all of the airborne particles in your salon. So, for an added layer of protection invest in a salon air purifier to ensure that yours and your client’s respiratory health is protected.
Hand sanitiser
It’s essential to have hand sanitiser readily available for both you and your clients to maintain hand hygiene.
Disinfectants and surface cleaners
Nail technicians need disinfectants and surface cleaners to regularly clean and sanitise work surfaces and tools.
Some common disinfectants for nail salons include:
- Isopropyl Alcohol (Isopropanol)
- Barbicide
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Professional Surgical Spirit
- UV Sanitiser Boxes
- Bleach
Nail files and buffers
Disposable or single-use nail files and buffers are recommended to avoid the risk of cross-contamination.
Disposable pedicure liners
If providing pedicure services, consider using disposable liners for pedicure basins to prevent the spread of infections.
Sharps containers
Used for the safe disposal of sharp objects, such as used nail files or lancets.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation in the salon is crucial to ensure good air circulation and reduce the buildup of chemical fumes and dust. Installing exhaust fans or air purifiers can help with this.