Use safe work practices to protect yourself and limit the spread of contamination ○ Keep hands away from face. How to safely remove PPE Mask ● The front of the mask/respirator is contaminated — DO NOT TOUCH! ● If your hands get contaminated during mask/respirator removal, immediately wash your hands, or use an alcohol- based hand sanitizer. ● Grasp bottom ties or elastics of the mask/respirator, then the ones at the top, and remove without touching the front. ● Discard in a waste container. Gloves ● Outside of gloves are contaminated!
○ Limit surfaces touched. ○ Change gloves when torn or heavily contaminated. ○ Perform hand hygiene.
● If your hands get contaminated during glove removal, immediately wash your hands, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. ● Using a gloved hand, grasp the palm area of the other gloved hand and peel off first glove. ● Hold removed glove in gloved hand. ● Slide fingers of ungloved hand under remaining glove at wrist and peel off second glove over first glove. ● Discard gloves in a waste container The CDC website covers details on al PPE and can be viewed in its entirety at: https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/ppe/PPE-Sequence. pdf.
ERGONOMICS
● Carpal tunnel syndrome. ● Tennis elbow. ● Trigger finger and trigger thumb. ● Osgood-Schlatter disease.* ● Back strains and sprains. ● Shin splints. ● Stress fractures. ● Ganglion cysts. ● Nerve compression syndromes. ● Herniated disks. ● Bursitis. ● Dupuytren’s contracture.**
Ergonomics is a scientific term that studies how people function in their work environment. It reviews how the individual works, what equipment they use, the movements and positions they must use, and any components in the work environment that affect the worker. The goal is to determine if the work environment supports the health, safety, comfort, and effectiveness of the worker. If any of the components do not provide the best work environment, the ergonomist determines solutions to change the design of the environment to best support the worker. The design must support the workers needs and will help prevent injuries and health complications on the job. Cosmetology professionals stand for long periods of time in one spot, bend, reach, and twist. These work tasks may lead to finger, leg, knee, foot, back, wrist, neck, and shoulder pain. Completing repetitive tasks and motions may lead to specific types of injuries called repetitive motion injuries (RMI). The Cleveland Clinic (2022) lists the following examples of RMI: ● Tendinitis.
* This is a bony, painful, lump those forms on the knee. ** This is the development of a thick band in the skin of the palm, and area where the fingers attach, which hardens over time. If not treated it can cause the fingers to bend and curl which may result in loss of normal use of the hand.
Ergonomics to promote safety in the cosmetology workplace Back/neck strain 1. Hair stylist that stand for long periods of time should try to maintain proper posture and avoid twisting, bending, stooping, and lifting improperly.
3. Use a stool or chair that can move so the stylist can sit when possible. 4. Wear supportive leg wear, socks, or stockings. 5. Stand on a cushioned mat designed to protect legs and feet, especially if working on a concrete floor. Wrist and hand The study of ergonomics in cosmetology offers suggestions to address these injuries to eliminate strain on the wrist that can lead to tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. The key is to look at the wrist movements performed by the cosmetologist to determine ways to reduce or eliminate the amount of bending of the wrist and gripping action of the fingers. Some changes in techniques, tools and equipment include: 1. Using a client chair that can be raised, lowered, and swiveled to avoid bending and twisting the wrist when cutting hair. 2. Chose shears and other tools that fit the hand, are the proper weight, and finger hole size to cut down on excessive gripping. Be sure shears are sharp and lubricated to cut down the number of cutting actions to accomplish the job. 3. Select brushes and combs that fit the stylist’s hand, are balanced, and glide through the hair with the least amount of drag. Chose a round brush that can be twisted through the fingers rather than repeatedly twisting the wrist. 4. Chose ergonomically designed equipment and practice to use it properly before working on clients. 5. Try to keep the wrist as straight as possible during all functions including using the hairdryer. 6. The manicurist might use a foam pad or pad to keep the wrist straight and supported.
2. Align the head, neck, and back to keep them as straight as possible avoiding bending and leaning. Keep weight centered and balanced evenly on the feet and legs. 3. Keep the back and neck aligned when bending and bend from the hips. 4. Avoid leaning and reaching whenever possible to retrieve items by keeping them close. Avoid placing items in cabinets that are too low or too high. 5. Raise and lower the client chair, tilt their head to avoid bending your neck and back. 6. Be sure sinks, counters, and desks are at the proper height. 7. When carrying, moving, lifting, pulling, or pushing heavy items, use sliders, carts, dollies, and always ask for help. Avoid turning twisting or bending over when lifting and keep the item close to your body. Bend knees and lift with the legs, not the back. 8. Always wear proper supportive footwear with cushioned soles and/or inserts, avoid high heels, and select the proper style and fit to avoid pressure points, pinched toes, and blisters. Legs, feet, and knees Many of the same wrist suggestions can help eliminate shoulder strain: 1. All the previous suggestions for the back and neck apply. 2. Take breaks when possible, elevating legs to the height of the chair.
Book Code: COH0325A
Page 21
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