An Evaluation of Health and Safety Management Practices in the Hairdressing Industry
Introduction
This evaluation was commissioned by the Workplace Services Group of the Department of Labour as part of its Occupational Health Programme.
Project Aim: To evaluate the present state of health and safety management practices used to reduce the risk of injury and disease in the Hairdressing Industry
Project Outcomes: A written evaluation of the present state of health and safety management practices used to reduce the risk of injury and disease in the hairdressing industry, (particularly in relation to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders and chemical exposures) and written advice on possible future actions that the Industry, the Department of Labour, employers, workers and other industry participants could take to reduce these risks.
Methodology
This report is based mainly on anecdotal information gathered from people working in or supporting the Industry.
Visits were made to a number of Hairdressing Salons and Training Schools to talk to and observe hairdressers, apprentices and trainees performing hairdressing tasks.
A number of telephone interviews were held.
Dermatologists (including one from Australia), Occupational Physicians, Physiotherapists and Ergonomists were consulted.
Discussions were held with Industry Organisations including the NZ Association of Registered Hairdressers and the NZ Hairdressing Industry Training Organisation Inc.
A limited literature search was made.
Description of the Industry
The structure of the New Zealand Hairdressing Industry is described below:
- The number of hairdressing salons: 2600
- The average number of staff in a salon: 3.5
- The number of hairdressers: 8500.
- The number of qualified hairdressers: 4000
- Gender: 93% Female
- The number of continuing apprentices in 2005 :1443,
- The number of students receiving a student component funding from the Tertiary Education Commission in 2005: 2127.
Most salons open from 9.00am until 6 or 7 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9.00 am until 9.00pm on Thursday and Friday and on varying hours on Saturday. Some salons open on Monday.
The hours interfere with normal family life and can be stressful for those with children.
Anecdotal information suggests that many Hairdressers stay in the profession initially for 6-7 years. Many return to the Industry later.
For some hairdressing is a highly desired career. For others it is a career that one can easily move in and out of.
Industry Organisations
The New Zealand Association of Registered Hairdressers Inc (NZARH).
The New Zealand Association of Registered Hairdressers Inc. (the Association) is the umbrella organisation for 15 Regional Associations run by hairdressers for hairdressers, and is the only organisation in New Zealand that is truly representative of the needs of hairdressers in business today.
The Association was set up to give support to salon owners and employers of hairdressing apprentices. It also promotes high industry standards and ideals and gives hairdressers the opportunity to show their creative and commercial skills in a competitive environment through regional and national hairdressing awards.
The Association's aim is to help members with advice on the myriad of issues surrounding those in business today, with information to help deal with legal, insurance and employment issues as well as with the everyday problems that are encountered.
The Association has a membership of approximately 700 salons. To be a registered member of the Association the salon is owned or managed by or employs at least one qualified hairdresser.
Many of its members are practicing hairdressers and those interviewed have shown a concern for the safety and health of those working in the Industry.
The Association produces a quarterly magazine.
Out of the real health and safety situation as given to this evaluation, an additional purpose could be added to the purpose of the Association.
"The purpose for undertaking training of apprentices is to enable them to achieve their ambition of a successful career in hairdressing and work in this career for as long as they wish without injury or harm to their health".
The NZARH Competitions Committee.
The Association organises a competition programme each year. The competitions are judged on the finished style only.
The recognition of 'good practice' or 'safe technique' could be included as a feature of the judging.
The NZ Hairdressing Industry Training Organisation Inc (HITO).
The NZ Hairdressing Industry Training Organisation Inc sends out an annual newsletter to all salons listed in the Yellow pages along with newsletters to apprentices, apprentice employers and the training providers.
HITO Qualifications Advisory Committee.
Not interviewed.
HITO Regional Apprenticeship Committees.
Not interviewed.
The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association of New Zealand (CTFA) and the Salon Marketers Group.
Part of an International group (based in the USA) that represents the interests of the companies that market cosmetics, toiletries and fragrances in New Zealand. The CEO is based in Auckland.
The Hairdressing Forum of training providers which operates under the Institute of Technology and Polytechnics.
The head of this organisation is based in Wanganui. The Forum had a major input into the development of US 20929.
Communication Within and to the Industry
The Industry is fortunate in having several communication channels to salons and hairdressers.
The NZ Hairdressing Industry Training Organisation Inc sends out an annual newsletter to all salons listed in the Yellow pages along with newsletters to apprentices, apprentice employers and the training providers.
The members of the Salons Marketing Group whose members supply products to the Industry, visit most if not all registered salons on a 3 to 6 weekly basis.
The suppliers of all salon products and equipment are in contact with salons in their coverage area and some operate throughout New Zealand.
The NZ Association of Registered Hairdressers communicates with its members with a quarterly newsletter.
There are several magazines with a wide circulation.
These communication channels make it possible to develop a co-ordinated written and a face-to-face communication programme for health and safety promotion.
Previous Studies and Injury data
Appendix A contains detailed information on three previous studies in the industry and injury data from the ACC.
Summary of the three studies
- Pamela Powers (Department of Labour) conducted a survey of 70 hairdressers in the Nelson/Marlborough area in 2002-03. The survey found that over 50% then had or had in the last 5 years suffered an overuse disorder. Ten percent had or had had dermatitis at the time of the survey.
- Louise Malcolm carried out a study resulting in an M.Sc. Thesis: Musculoskeletal Disorders in New Zealand Hairdressers. (2005). This study examined Kieran Janes's scissors and cutting techniques and concluded that further investigation was warranted to evaluate the scissors with a larger population.
- A HITO survey of apprentices who did not complete their training in 2005 showed that 5.3% did so for medical reasons
ACC data
Data and information on claimants from the Hairdressing and Barbering Industry are included with Beauty Therapy, Nail Bars, Manicure and Pedicure. Comments on the combined industries data are shown in Appendix A. In the different categories for entitlement and medical fees, increases ranged from 3 to 28% for the 3 years from 2002-3 to 2004-5.
Harm in Hairdressing - a brief overview
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) include overuse syndromes (otherwise known as 'OOS', 'RSI', 'carpal tunnel' or soft tissue injures) and other related diagnosis.
MSD include sore feet, backs, necks, shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers.
There are salons with no reported history of MSD for over 10 years. In some salons most staff had MSD symptoms at the time of the survey. Some hairdressers who have been on the point of leaving the Industry, but who have changed their techniques and equipment, are still in the Industry with no or little pain.
Some hairdressers who have pain from an MSD say it is part of being a hairdresser and they are carrying on no matter what. Some of these showed a resistance to changing their techniques - it being regarded as too hard and too much bother. Discussions suggested that salons with a known local clientele and a harmonious environment have a lower prevalence of MSD.
The lack of data on discomfort, pain and injuries occurring in the Industry shows a need for sources of information other than the ACC. A research study would be one way of gathering this information, but would have to be repeated in two - four years time to measure the effect of any preventive measures undertaken. An annual source of information should be sought.
Some effects of Pain
Pain arising out of MSD and dermatitis reduces the worker's ability to have and maintain good client relationships throughout the day, to concentrate on the task in hand, to work efficiently and to apply the correct safety practices and techniques.
Pain is debilitating and removes satisfaction in the job and the desire to continue in the profession. Pain can result in a hairdresser leaving the Industry, foregoing their investment in time and money in learning the skills of hairdressing, and requiring new investment in an alternative profession - that they can manage with their pain.
Dermatitis
Many cases of irritant contact dermatitis are reported to occur, often early in training at the salons. Most achieve control and recover but there are some instances of workers leaving the Industry for this reason. Conversations at many salons suggested that the number of cases seems to have reduced from 5-10 years ago.
Contact with chemicals can result in allergic contact dermatitis, usually after some years in the Industry. Some of these cases have to leave the Industry - taking their sensitivity to some chemicals with them.
As with MSD, there is a lack of data on the number of cases occurring, recovery rates and the numbers leaving the Industry for this reason.
Present Health and Safety Guideline - Guide to Occupational Safety and Health for the Hairdressing Industry (1997).
This Guide was produced by the Association in ????. Pamela Powers Survey in the Nelson/Marlborough region in 2002-2003 found that 21% of salons there had a copy.
The Guide is currently being revised. The ACC has undertaken to pay for the printing. A copy will be distributed to every salon in New Zealand. The Association intends to update the content and communication style.
The Introduction states "...and aims to encourage employers to set up a health and safety system in response to the requirements set out in the Act and Regulations (Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992)". This objective is still valid.
Other objectives could include assisting experienced hairdressers to add to their knowledge and development of better skills, good task procedures (techniques and practices), ACC procedures, rehabilitation of injured persons, criteria for the selection of equipment and products, a model design brief for new and renovation of salons, a fitness, exercise and general health information and programme.
The ACC is presently producing a new guide on the prevention of MSD. This could provide information for the Guide.
An OHS&W Guide for the Hairdressing Industry in South Australia has just been produced by the Hair & Beauty Industry Association of South Australia. Before proceeding further with the NZ Guide, the value of the content in the South Australian Guide should be studied.
In the light of these reports, the purpose and contents should be reviewed with Industry input.
There is a place for a Guide on Health and Safety matters in the Industry.
The content should parallel the Health and Safety content of the training provided to trainees. The Guide should contribute to the knowledge and skills of the Industry, and, provided it is regularly updated, should facilitate the adoption of change in the areas of safety, health and the prevention of harm from MSD and chemicals.