Risk Management for Beauty Therapists

Risk management for beauty therapists is essential to successful careers in the beauty industry. Not only is it essential to success, it is a legal requirement for employers. Whether working for someone else or self-employed, all beauty therapists have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of anyone who may be affected by their work.

Risk management assessments are normally conducted by the senior staff members or owner of a salon. During the assessment, every risk is identified, along with whom those risks endanger. Then risk control measures are set into place, and every employee is expected to follow these working procedures. However, many beauticians are self-employed or plan to operate their own salon eventually. Therefore, it’s highly important that every beauty therapist learn how to create a risk management programme.

Creating a risk management programme

A beauty therapist has several main areas of business risks to consider when creating a risk management programme. These main areas are the protection of the property from fire, natural hazards, and crime. The main risk areas also include health and safety of self, employees, and members of the public. In addition, compliance with all legislation pertaining to the beauty industry and employers must be taken into consideration. The programme must be designed to eliminate as many risks as possible, as well as be able to reduce and control those that cannot be eliminated.

Preventative measures

There are numerous preventative measures that can be taken to eliminate, reduce, and control risks. Although most of the measures are generically suited to all businesses, there are some that specifically should be applied to the beauty industry. For instance, prohibiting smoking on the premises, properly storing flammable materials, and conducting electrical wiring inspections are preventative measures suited to all businesses. Installing a high security system, good lighting, and fencing the property are also good preventative measures suited to most businesses.

However, installing ergonomic workstations to reduce the health issues caused by poor work postures are something that is specific to the beauty industry. Compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations is a safety measure that is more specifically related to the beauty industry. Also, compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 are also more specific to the beauty industry.

Other hazards

There are also numerous hazards associated with each type of treatment and product used by beauty therapists. Preventative measures such as wearing personal protective equipment may be necessary to ensure the health and safety of all employees. Proper usage, storage and disposal of equipment and products is highly essential to risk management. Meeting certain ventilation standards will also be necessary. Providing adequate training, supervision, and maintaining accurate information is an essential element to risk management.

Insurance’s role

There is no way to possibly identify and eliminate every single risk a beautician faces. That is why it’s important to include insurance in the risk management programme. Having adequate insurance provides a risk control measure for those incidents which do occur.

The types and amounts of cover required will vary from one beauty therapist to the next. However, all beauticians require at least a minimum amount of Public Liability and cover for Buildings, Contents, and Equipment. Mobile beauticians will also require Motor Liability covers. Risk management for beauty therapists should also include large amounts of Professional Treatment and Products Liability cover.