Explain When And Why Risk Assessments Should Be Carried Out In The Salon

Task1a: Produce an information sheet

When and why risk assessments should be carried out within the salon
By law it is compulsory for all salons to carry out a risk assessment on their premises to ensure that their premises and the treatments that they provide are safe. Thorough risk assessment should be carried out at least once a year and should be reviewed on regular basis.
Employer must carry out a risk assessment

• All the time when there is a hazard present which can affect health, safety or welfare of staff/visitor/clients
• Whenever there is a new equipment, product or procedure introduced into salon which could lead to new hazards
• Whenever an employee is pregnant or breastfeeding and her work might involve a risk to her health
and safety or that of her unborn child.
Risk assessment should be carried out due to following reason:
• Legal Reason: It’s the legal responsibility of the employer provide a safe environment and to protect the employees of the business and other stakeholders also, such as customers and suppliers.
• Financial reason: By complying with the law you will avoid damaging publicity as well as the costs associated with accidents and injuries If properly conducted, the risk is minimised to harming the environment and therefore reduces the possibility of you having to pay fines or even be sued.
• Moral & Ethical Reason

What needs to be considered when carrying out a risk assessment?
• Identify the hazard
• Determine who might be at risk
• Evaluating the level of risk
• How to prevent/reduce the risk
• Notify staff
• Record your findings
• Regularly Review your risk assessment
How the staff should be supported to maintain health & safety
As an employer, it is your responsibility to maintain health & safety in your salon but to do so you need your employee’s help as they are the one working in your salon and providing services.
In order to do so you need to make sure that your staff knows all the health & safety police and procedure. For example
• Adequate training to all staff in safety procedures e.g. fire exits and evacuation procedure.
• You must issue all necessary personal protective equipment to Candidates free of charge; this includes gloves and aprons for example.
• You must make sure the salon has the appropriate First Aid kit and at least one member of your team should receive training in First Aid

Salon’s procedures for dealing with different types of security breaches
A breach occurs when the law is not upheld, either an action is taken that places a person at risk of injury, illness or death; or steps are not taken to avoid a risky situation from occurring; or there is a failure to comply with regulatory requirements. The basic procedure to deal with security breach
is:
First of all if somebody got hurt due to the security breach provide them with proper treatment e.g first aid/call an ambulance/refer to GP.

Within every salon there will be a variety of policies or rules that the salon owner, employees and customers are expected to follow. These are designed to ensure that the salon runs in line with regulations, minimises the risk of accidents, presents a professional manner and complies with health and safety requirements.
Three types of insurance needed within the salon and their importance
General Liability Insurance Professional Liability Insurance Employee Liability Insurance
It’s important to have general Liability Insurance as it will cover claims of a customer or visitor for personal or property damage in your salon
For example:
If a client slips and falls at the wash basin the insurance will cover her medical expenses, judgements or settlement amount you owe as well as legal cost. It’s important to have professional liability insurance as it will cover damages claimed due to an accident or act of negligence during a professional service performed.
For example:
During a facial treatment a steamer spits hot water on clients face and burns it, this insurance will cover her medical expenses, judgements or settlement amount you owe as well as legal cost. It’s important to have employee liability insurance as it will cover claims from employee who have been injured or become sick while working for you.
For example:
If an employee fell ill or got injured due to work, this insurance will help to pay for medical costs, rehabilitation expenses and lost wages.