NZQA.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority's primary function is to coordinate the administration and quality assurance of national qualifications in New Zealand.

The NZ Hairdressing Industry Training Organisation Inc (HITO)

HITO develops and reviews the unit standards and qualifications, which are registered with the NZQA. HITO administers the apprentice scheme.

HITO's Mission Statement. "To establish and maintain the achievement of high quality, relevant hairdressing qualifications as an essential investment for the industry and its clients" Its Purpose Statement includes "...so that trainees and employers experience the benefits of a professional standard of hairdressing and barbering qualifications..." and "....provides leadership in education and training, develops national qualifications with industry, maintains national standards, co-ordinates training, records achievements and provides ongoing support for trainees and employers. We also administer the apprenticeship programmes, including delivery of on and off job training".

Health and Safety Objective

Out of the health and safety situation as given to and described in this evaluation, an additional purpose should be added to HITO's Objectives.

"The purpose for undertaking training is to enable trainees to achieve their ambition of a successful career in hairdressing and be able to work in this career for as long as they wish without injury or harm to their health."

This is the desired outcome from any training programme and system. The training providers have expressed this intent. It needs to be written as a measurable objective. HITO should influence the Industry to adopt this objective.

Training Issues

Training is provided by the training providers and training in salons. With training provided by two separate parts of the Industry, there are going to be problems with consistency and change.

Each training provider produces their own teaching material with an internal moderation system. There would be value in a system that provided an opportunity for synergistic development of consistent health and safety teaching materials throughout the training system.

The national moderation system is administered by HITO for assessment material.

Practical training

One a national basis, no written or recorded task analysis or work techniques were found. Some written techniques are used from overseas sources. Consequently there is a significant difference in the techniques taught.

There are no criteria for the measurement of good practice and technique in the tasks involved in Hairdressing and Barbering.

Training Skills

This evaluation did not observe the skill level of those who train the apprentices in the salons. To train apprentices, the trainer must have a nationally recognised training qualification. HITO offers training in 'Tutoring in Hairdressing'. This evaluation did not observe the skill level of those who train the apprentices in the salons.

The Right to know

Every entrant to the Industry has the right to know the risks of harm they will be exposed to. Full time students who enter the Industry through a training provider should be told the prevalence of and the risks of developing dermatitis and MSD.

Observations

1. There is a lack of knowledge and understanding of the limitations of the human body to carry out repetitive movements and tasks.
2. A lack of knowledge of the structure and function of muscles, tendons and joints.
3. A lack of knowledge of the structure and function of the hand skin.
4. A lack of knowledge of the how muscles, tendons and joints function.
5. A lack of knowledge of the blood circulation system.
6. Very few hairdressers and trainees knowing that latex gloves can be a cause of irritant dermatitis.
7. "Pain is part of being a hairdresser".
8. Unit Standard 497, Protect Health and Safety in the Workplace is an all industry Standard and does not address the particular health and safety issues of the Hairdressing Industry. Tutors have included information specific to the hairdressing industry including MSD and chemicals
9. Mannequins used that are difficult to adjust and so the students adjusts their body posture instead of adjusting the mannequins head height.
10. Undesired postures and work techniques shown by trainees.
11. Gloves not being worn when working with colours.

Risks

1. Developing and continuing discomfort and pain. Developing MSD.

Interventions

1. The development and training in the practical hairdressing techniques and skills that eliminate or minimise the development of MSD and the onset of dermatitis.
2. The use of video to show 'good practice' techniques and skills. Video played at slow speeds enables students to follow the finer details of techniques. Video can be used to show a student their technique, analyse it at slow speed and compare it with video of best practice techniques of another hairdresser. Understanding and change often comes from seeing rather than being told.
3. Showing how to use the comb and scissors correctly is more effective and helpful to the apprentice or student than saying "keep the elbows down".
4. The development of a consistent content in Health and Safety subjects. The introduction of Unit Standard 20929 is an opportunity to achieve a major change in what is taught to assist trainees and hairdressers to avoid MSD and dermatitis.
5. Providing continuing training and training materials for established hairdressers especially those with pain and those responsible for teaching trainees.
6. Increase the skill levels of those teaching and coaching trainees and hairdressers in the salons.
7. Training should include how to manage and achieve changing ones work techniques and practices.
8. Mannequins should be mounted on an easily adjustable device. Large camera tripod stands were observed in use for this purpose.
9. Career advisers in secondary schools should understand and include in their discussions the risks and preventive measures necessary for those with a history of rashes, eczema, asthma or hay fever.
10. Assessors and national moderation should assess the postures and work techniques of students.