Work smart, work safe

Compliance Masters, Inc. 2010

Work Smart, Work Safe

Ensuring the Worker’s Health and Safety in Nail Salons


Which of these items can be hazardous to your health and safety?

?


If you answered . . .

Then you are correct.All these items can be

health and safety hazards.


Really? A pair of pointed scissors and sharp nail clippers could obviously cause physical

injuries such as cuts and punctures when not handled

properly.

But nail polish? I thought those bottles were unbreakable?


The hazard is in the polish itself.

Some nail polish contain dangerous chemicals that could harm your health when used without caution.


The same is true for other nail-care products you use at work such as

• Polish removers

• Nail hardeners

• Nail Adhesives


That’s why it is important for you to know what hazardous materials are present in your workplace and what you can do to protect yourself from harm.


This is your rightand your

responsibility!


Step One

Identify the chemicals that may be hazardous to your health.





You can find this information

• On Materials Safety Data Sheets

• On labels attached to containers

http://www.free-training.com/osha/hazcom/Label/Def12.htm


A Material Safety Data Sheet provides the following detailed information

– Identity (name of substance) – Physical Hazards (target organ) – Health Hazards – Routes of Body Entry – Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) – Carcinogenic Factors (cancer causing) – Safe-Handling Procedures – Date of Sheet Preparation – Control Measures (personal protective equipment) – Emergency First Aid Procedures (emergency telephone

number) – Contact Information (for the preparer of the sheet) – Special Instructions


It is your right to have access to the MSDS for each product you use at work that has harmful

chemicals.

ASK YOUR EMPLOYER FOR THE MSDS


It is your responsibility to read the MSDS before

using the product so you can know how to protect

yourself from harm.

ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND


Step Two

Protect yourself.


Chemicals can enter the body in three ways

1. Inhalation

2. Skin absorption

3. Ingestion


PREVENT INHALATION

• Wear a dust mask to protect your lungs from acrylic dust.

• Make sure that the salon has proper ventilation with enough fresh air circulating.

• Use containers with small openings, i.e. just large enough for application brush to enter.


PREVENT INGESTION

• Don’t eat or drink at your work station. Chemicals can get on your face and in your food and these can cause health problems when swallowed.

• Be sure to wash up before eating, drinking, and smoking.


PREVENT ABSORPTION

• Wash your hands, arms, and face several times to clean off chemicals.

• Use thin vinyl or nitrile gloves and wear long sleeves to protect your skin from acrylic dust. (NOTE: Do not use latex gloves as these can cause allergic reaction in some people.)


In case of overexposure to hazardous chemicals

tell your employer immediately!

• Watch out for any physical symptoms such as skin rashes, dizziness, eye or throat irritations or strong odors


Chemicals in nail-care products may also be flammable.

Have a “no smoking” policy for both workers and customers to prevent fires.


Step Three

Be your own health and safety advocate.


Now that you know what can harm you and how to protect yourself from harm, it’s your responsibility to use these

knowledge and skills to work safely.


And should you find anything “unsafe” at your workplace, it is

your right AND responsibility to let your employer know.

Business

Work smart, work safe