Personal protective equipment (PPE) Hazardous chemicals and pathogens have been detailed throughout this course along with sanitation steps and universal and standard precautions. The OSHA guidelines given previously refer to the use of PPE that should be available for cosmetology workers and require training on PPE use. Due to the recent and ongoing prevalence of COVID-19, workers have become very familiar with the importance of face masks, which were mandated for use to protect workers and clients from transmitting the virus. It is important to review state and local mandates for PPE use as COVID regulations frequently change. The CDC (2021) provides details on the proper way to use PPE, which are summarized as follows: The type of PPE used will vary based on the level of precautions required, such as standard and contact, droplet, or airborne infection isolation precautions. The procedure for putting on and removing PPE should be tailored to the specific type of PPE. Mask or respirator ● Secure ties or elastic bands at middle of head and neck ● Fit flexible band to nose bridge ● Fits snug to face and below chin ● Fit-check respirator Use safe work practices to protect yourself and limit the spread of contamination ● Keep hands away from face ● Limit surfaces touched 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 (RMIs). The Cleveland Clinic (2022) lists the following examples of RMI: 1. Hair stylists who stand for long periods of time should try to maintain proper posture and avoid twisting, bending, stooping, and lifting improperly. 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.
● Change gloves when torn or heavily contaminated ● Perform hand hygiene 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! ● 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 all PPE and can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.cdc.gov/infection- control/media/pdfs/strive-ppe101-508.pdf.
ERGONOMICS
● Tendinitis ● 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. **
* 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, an 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. 5. Raise and lower the client chair and 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, or 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.
Ergonomics to promote safety in the cosmetology workplace Back/neck strain Follow these procedures to avoid back and neck strain:
Book Code: COH0326A
EliteLearning.com/Cosmetology
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