Doncaster Council's Health and Safety Enforcement Team and Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) launched the Beauty awards in 2004. This award is aimed at the beauty salon industry, initially in the Doncaster area however another 13 authorities have either implemented or are in the process of implementing. Once the scheme has become established it is hoped all other local authorities working in partnership with HABIA will adopt it in their own area and thus become a Nationally recognised scheme.
The Beauty Salon Award Scheme aims to raise the standards of health and safety in the rapidly expanding area of the cosmetic treatments and therapies. The industry is rapidly expanding, not only in terms of the number of salons and therapists but also the variety of treatments and techniques, and there was a recognized need for improvement of health and safety practices within the industry. Recent press releases have seen horror stories relating to the practices at nail bars (where it has been claimed up to a fifth could be unsafe due to poor training and health and safety practices) and calls for sun bed parlours to be licensed. Aspects considered for the awards are dermatitis, handling chemicals, electrical safety, staff training, hygiene, respiratory problems and the use of good posture to prevent bad backs.
Fit 3
The awards are also in line with the Health and Safety Commission’s Strategic Delivery Programme, ‘Fit for Work, Fit for Life, Fit for Tomorrow’ (FIT3), which aims to deliver a reduction in the incidence rate of cases of work related ill health by the end of the 2007/08 financial year. Environmental Health Practitioners from Doncaster Council have been rigorously delivering the message across hair and beauty salons, concentrating on dermatitis part of the programme. Over 45% (approximately 50,000 nationally) of hairdressers suffer from dermatitis, which is the reason why it is being targeted by the Health and Safety Executive in its Disease Reduction Programme (DRP) as part of the FIT3 Strategic Programme. Award winners fully understand the problem and put preventative measures in place to tackle the issue.
How to Apply
If, on application, a business meets the predetermined criteria the proprietor will receive the award. The award will remain valid for 12 months, subject to high standards of health and safety being maintained. The award will be of benefit to both the business, by way of positive promotion, and to customers who, it is hoped, will be able to make an informed decision about the premises they choose to take their custom.
Although this is a voluntary scheme, it is hoped that all eligible businesses will apply and attain the standards necessary to achieve the award. The scheme will also be open to all mobile hair dressers and beauty therapists.
The application form is attached below.
For further information please contact Mrs Kathryn Taylor on (01302) 737548.
