A guide to keeping healthy working in hair and beauty

How you can remain fit for work

Working in hair and beauty, you will be on your feet most of the day and performing repetitive motions in a fast paced, stressful environment. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) estimated that there was 25.7 million days lost because of work based injuries in 2016/17, with the average worker taking 17.6 days for repetitive strain injuries. We’ve created some helpful tips to help you look after yourself and your employees whilst working.

Causes of injury

Some of the most frequent causes of injury include:

• Adopting poor positions – When standing upright for long periods of time, you need to make sure that your posture is correct. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, keep your shoulders pulled back if possible and stomach tucked in to maintain a good posture for standing.
• Repetitive movements – A common injury, particularly with hairdressers, is repetitive strain injury, which can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, from constant use of scissors. Whenever possible, give your hands a break to allow them to recover from the movement. Hairdressers Journal recommends using high quality equipment to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
• Incorrect clothing – Spending most of the day on your feet without the correct footwear can have long term consequences on your body. Flat soled shoes are a must, but also consider shoes with a moulded insole to ensure maximum comfort. It is also important to make sure that the rest of your outfit is suitable. Working in a salon, there will often be a uniform or dress code, or as a mobile hairdresser you will need to wear something practical, but this shouldn’t be at the expense of comfort. Make sure that clothing isn’t too tight and doesn’t restrict your movements.
• Heavy objects – Sometimes, you may need to move heavy equipment, whether it is a delivery of products or any equipment that you work with. Be sure to adopt proper manual handling techniques to avoid damage to the back, or even use equipment designed to carry large weights. Chairs or massage beds can also be heavy pieces of equipment so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need to move anything.

Managing the risk to your body

Here are some methods to help keep you safe at work:

• Using furniture designed to be easily adjusted will let you work in a comfortable position no matter what type of clients you have.
• By standing closer to the client, you will help to eliminate overstretching or bending.
• Keep your equipment or products at waist level to make sure that they are within reach.
• If possible, take regular, short breaks to stretch and relax.
• Allow muscles to rest by regularly changing the job you are doing.

Article source: Zywave Inc. – Playing it safe: Hospitality: Preventing Pain in the Salon

This information is not to be taken as legal or medical advice. See your GP if you have an injury.