Employee Health

SAFETY AN HEALTH FIRST. GLAMOUR SECOND.

All professional salon products must meet the labeling requirements of the FDA. However, if you transfer any product from its original, labeled container that is not intended for immediate use (professional or consumer product, cleaning supply, etc), then you must comply with the Hazard Communication requirements. The new container must have a label that identifies the product by the name listed on the product's MSDS. In addition, the label must include a list of possible physical or health hazards that the materials may present.

HAZARD COMMUNICATION

As an employer, your salon is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop and implement a Hazard Communication Program. The purpose of this program is to inform employees about the possible hazards of the materials they work with and how to avoid these possible hazards. Any material that has a potential to cause a physical hazard (flammable, oxidizer, etc.) or a health hazard (irritant, sensitizer, etc.) must be part of the program. This requirement applies to any product used in the salon, even consumer-type cleaning and maintenance products. OSHA inspectors visit salons regularly to assure compliance and may fine employers who do not comply.

The Hazard Communication program must address five areas:

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

The MSDS is a comprehensive review of a product's ingredients and possible hazards and includes information that will help you use, handle, and store the product safely. Facts on disposal, spill cleanup, and other necessary precautions are also included. MSDSs must be made available to employees at your salon for all products used. You can obtain MSDSs from distributors of professional salon products, or by downloading the Clairol Professional product MSDSs featured on this website. Visit the MSDS Sheets page.

Hazard Evaluation

Typically, a hazard evaluation is conducted by a product's manufacturer to determine if a product poses physical or health hazards. As a salon owner, you can rely on the hazard evaluation information provided to you in the product's MSDS.

Labeling

Written Hazard Communication Plan

Salons must have a Written Hazard Communication Plan that describes how the requirements of the Hazard Communication Program will be met. This Written Plan must be made available to employees and is required to include the following:

Details on how the requirements concerning MSDS, hazard evaluation, labeling, and training will be met.
A list of products and chemicals used in the salon. (After you compile your initial list, be sure to request MSDSs for all new products that you order and add them to your list.)
How employees will be informed about the hazards of any nonroutine tasks.
How this information will be provided.

Employee Training

Your employees must be trained so they understand the following:

Their right to know about hazardous materials used in the workplace.
The possible physical or health hazards of the materials they use in the workplace.
How to avoid possible hazards, including what personal protection to use.
How to understand and use MSDSs and where to find them in the salon.
What to do in case of a product spill or contact with a material.
How to dispose of unused products and packaging.
The location of the Written Hazard Communication Plan.

For specific details about compliance with the requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard, call the OSHA office in your area or contact an independent industrial hygiene and safety consultant.

Helpful Hint:

Keep a record of all employee training programs. This record should include a description of each topic that was reviewed and should be signed by employees to verify their attendance.

Personal Safety Equipment

Generally speaking, personal safety equipment is not required for most salon activities. However, gloves should be worn when mixing and applying any chemical service to the hair or when cleaning up spills of hair care and haircolor products. (Note: Latex gloves have been associated with allergic skin reaction; use with care.)

Eye protection should also be worn where there is a possibility of splashing a salon product. This is especially true when handling or pouring large quantities, or when working with high-volume developers.