An Evaluation of Health and Safety Management Practices in the Hairdressing Industry
A Strategic Safety Plan For Health And Safety In The Hairdressing Industry.
To improve the safety and health of the hairdressers and trainees in the Industry will require commitment and an Industry plan. Too many hairdressers are living with pain as a daily part of their lives as a hairdresser. Hairdressers are leaving the industry because of their health and having to find another way to earn a living. They are continuing to live with the effects of the harm they developed while working as hairdressers. There is a significant cost to the Industry in training replacement staff.
A "We Care" programme.
Talking to hairdressers and salon managers showed a high level of care for the client. This is not so apparent when talking about the prevention of pain and injury to the present workers or, when talking about members who have left the Industry because of health reasons. The Industry cares more for its clients than it does for the people working in the Industry.
It is recommended that the Hairdressing Industry develop a "We Care" Strategic Safety Plan for the next 5-10 years.
Research and development programmes
The recommendations include research and development studies in several areas of hairdressing. The Association could take a leading role in facilitating these projects.
One Beauty Care Industry
This evaluation and its parallel evaluation of the Nail Bar Industry has shown that the components of hairdressing, nail, manicure and pedicure and, the Beauty Therapy Industry are increasingly merging and there are combinations of services being provided in the one salon.
The Beauty Therapy and nail augmentation services do not have an Industry Training Organisation. The NZQA is asking the Beauty Therapy Industry to provide or find an ITO.
The industries should consider one Beauty Care Industry, as is the case in Australia. This would benefit the clients, the development of beauty care services and, hairdressers who wish to develop their skills across the sectors of the wider industry.
Registration of Hairdressing Salons and a Code of Practice
The registration of hairdressing salons under the Health Act is administered by Territorial Authorities (Councils). The purpose of the registration is that hygiene standards are complied with to protect the clients. Registration does not cover or imply the competency of the staff in providing hairdressing services.
Discussions with the Ministry of Health suggests that registration may be replaced with a Code of Practice. The Industry should develop a Code of Practice to prepare for the Ministry of Health's proposed future requirements. This could be in conjunction with a Code of Practice for the Beauty Therapy and Nail Industries or for the overall Beauty Care services industry.