Chapter 6: Environmental Safety: Hazardous Chemicals in the Salon Setting (Satisfies Environmental Issues Requirement) Learning objectives Given the course materials, the learner will be able to:
Discuss best practices in chemical management with your coworkers. List three accident prevention strategies to reduce chemical exposure within the salon. Describe how to treat first-degree burns resulting from chemical exposure.
Identify some of the more common hazardous chemicals found in common salon products and their hazardous effects. Locate information about the chemicals found in salon products and how to safely use them.
INTRODUCTION
to harmful vapors, dusts, or mists. If improperly used, these products can get on the skin or splash into eyes, and potentially be transferred onto food or cigarettes that are later ingested. If any of this happens, it can affect the health and safety of everyone involved. The environmental impact of the many different chemicals that salon workers are exposed to every day is compounded when several different products are used at the same time or multiple treatments and services are provided, which is the typical scenario for the majority of salons. When these products are used day after day, in sizeable quantities or when there is poor ventilation, everyone within the salon, and especially salon staff, is at risk of exposure and has the potential to become ill. As exposure increases with long working hours that are characteristic of the salon industry, workers have the potential to become very ill, either immediately or as time passes and the environmental threats accumulate.
In the salon industry, great efforts are often made to create an ambiance and environment that is pleasant, calming, and peaceful for clients. Many patrons visit salons just as much for the luxury of the “salon experience,” as they do for the actual services. These accommodations can include special lighting, music, and other aesthetics designed to enhance the environment within the salon and help clients relax and feel pampered. However, just as much effort, if not more, must also be placed on other environmental factors that are not just pleasing or displeasing to the client, but potentially dangerous for both the clients and the staff. In the salon setting, one of the most important environmental factors is the presence of chemicals and hazardous materials . Multiple chemicals can be found within the salon setting, from the everyday products that are used on clients to the cleaning supplies. For example, products that are used in nail salons can contain chemicals that expose salon workers and patrons Fortunately, it is possible to control the level of chemical exposures for both salon workers and their clients . In order to do so, it is important to first identify and learn about the possible chemical threats within your particular salon environment. Once the chemicals that are present in your salon are identified, it is
CONTROLLING CHEMICAL EXPOSURES
then possible to determine conceivable risks along with ways to reduce exposure. For example, some of the more common hazardous chemicals found in common salon products and their hazardous effects can be seen in the following chart:
Common Hazardous Chemicals in the Salon
Nail Polish or Glue Remover
Can cause headaches, dizziness, and irritation to the eyes, skin, nose, and throat; breathing problems; nausea; vomiting; weakness; and exhaustion. High levels of Ethyl Acetate can cause fainting. Can cause headaches, irritation to eyes, skin, nose, mouth, throat, and stomach; nausea; difficulty breathing (coughing, asthma-like attacks, and wheezing); allergic reactions, skin burns; and numbness. High levels of Ethyl Acetate can cause fainting and long-term exposures to high concentrations of DBP can cause other serious effects. Formaldehyde can cause cancer, and toluene can cause damage to the liver and kidneys and harm to unborn children during pregnancy. Difficulty breathing, including coughing, asthma-like attacks, and wheezing; allergic reactions; irritated eyes, skin, and throat. Formaldehyde can cause cancer.
Acetone, acetonitrile, butyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, etc. Nail Polish Butyl acetate, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Ethyl acetate; formaldehyde; isopropyl acetate; methacrylic acid, toluene, etc.
Chemical hair treatments
Formaldehyde Disinfectants
Can cause asthma; irritation to the skin and nose.
Quaternary ammonium compounds More information about the chemicals found in salon products and how to safely use them is located on product information, packaging, or printed Safety Data Sheets that are provided when the products are purchased. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the chemicals you are using and the safety precautions that are required, for both your own protection as well as the protection of salon clients and visitors. Thanks to regulations set forth in OSHA’s Hazard Communication
Standard, product manufactures must provide salon owners with Safety Data Sheets for every product used in the salon that may contain a hazardous chemical at 1% or more (or at 0.1% or more for carcinogenic chemicals) or that could be released into the air above limits set by OSHA or the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Each Safety Data Sheet lists both the precautions and health risks for the relevant products including: hazardous ingredients; exposure
Book Code: EFL1024
Page 44
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