An Evaluation of Health and Safety Management Practices in the Hairdressing Industry
Appendix A: Previous Studies And Injury Data
There have been three recent New Zealand studies and surveys.
Hairdresser Industry Health and Safety Survey
In 2002-2003, Pamela Powers of the Department of Labour carried out a survey entitled 'Hairdresser Industry Health and Safety Survey'. Seventy hairdressing salons employing 270 hairdressers in the Nelson/Marlborough region were visited. In the visits a survey was completed, and literature and advice was given.
Health Issues
- Occupational overuse syndrome.
- 23 Hairdressers who have worked for 10-40 years have chronic symptoms or have suffered acutely in the past 5 years.
- 10 hairdressers who have worked 10 years or less have more recent symptoms in the last 12 months.
- 4 are currently receiving treatment for symptoms.
- 3 are away from work because of OOS.
- 3 have ceased employment (anecdotal).
Dermatitis
- There are four hairdressers who were known to have left the industry over the past five years because of severe dermatitis.
- 12 hairdresser are at present experiencing mild to moderate dermatitis on hands and fingers.
Louise Malcolm's Thesis, Musculoskeletal Disorders in New Zealand Hairdressers. (2005)
This thesis reports firstly on a questionnaire survey of 331 hairdressers, members of the New Zealand Association of Registered Hairdressers, to describe hairdressers work practices and related to upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and, secondly to investigate a new pair of scissors and a new cutting technique designed to reduce the likelihood of musculoskeletal injuries. The scissors and cutting technique have been developed by Kieran Jane.
Further investigation is warranted to evaluate the objectives of this thesis with a larger population.
A HITO Survey
A recent HITO survey of apprentices who terminated their training in 2005 showed that 5.3% did so for medical related reasons.
ACC data
Data and information on claimants from the Hairdressing and Barbering Industry are included with those of Beauty Therapy, Nail Bars, Manicure and Pedicure claimants. The following comments from the data apply to the combined industries.
| Area | 2002-3 | 2003-4 |
|---|---|---|
Total Entitlement claims. |
51 |
60 |
$42 694 |
$3640058 |
|
Ongoing claims |
31 |
39 |
$ 545 484 |
$ 613 128 |
|
Total Medical Fees |
329 |
312 |
$42 694 |
$ 46 533 |
|
New Claims - Diagnosis of Gradual Process |
61% |
73% |
Ongoing Claims - Diagnosis of Gradual Process |
60% |
66% |
- Injury site: New entitlement claims for upper limbs and backs have increased by 42%.
- New medical fees: A 3.5% increase in numbers.
- New medical fees: Most frequent in this order: back/spine, finger/thumb, neck/back of head vertebrae, hand/wrist and shoulder.
- New medical fee costs have increased by 28%
- Age - New entitlement claims: There are approximately twice as many claims in the 20-24 age group as other groups.
- Age: Spread fairly evenly over the 15 to 59 age groups. The anecdotal information that many leave after 6-7 years means that the incidence of medical fee claims increases with age.
- Gender: 85% of entitlement claims are from females. 89% of new medical fee claims are female.
- One major product supplier (to 1/3 of Salons) received reports of 3 serious reaction cases in a year.