Report - Unmasking the Impacts of Toxic Chemicals on Salon Workers (2024)

FAQs

What happens if a worker is exposed to harmful chemicals? ›

Common Toxic Inhalants in the Workplace

People who work with toxic materials should be provided with protective gear and respirators if necessary. A worker who breathes in a toxic airborne substance may suffer immediate injury or—if exposed to small amounts over many years—may develop an occupational disease.

For example, cut client's hair before applying hair dye to reduce exposure of your hands to hair dye. Use fewer products and smaller amounts of each product when performing services. Wash your hands before and after performing services to remove any chemical residue.

FDA has authority over cosmetic product safety, but other agencies regulate workplace safety. Your state and local licensing authorities also may have requirements, and you will need to contact them directly.

Toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate are sometimes referred to in the industry as the "toxic trio". Toluene (nail polish, fingernail glue): dry or cracked skin; headaches, dizziness, and numbness; irritated eyes, nose, throat, and lungs; damage to liver and kidneys; and harm to unborn children during pregnancy.

The most common ways of measuring potential exposure to a chemical or a physical agent are attempting to quantify it in the air or near a person's breathing zone (industrial hygiene testing) or measuring it in some bodily fluid, like blood or urine, or in tissue, like fat.

What are the symptoms of a harmful chemical exposure? A small chemical exposure can cause tearing eyes and burning of the eyes, nose, throat, chest and skin. It may cause headache, sweating, blurred vision, stomach aches and diarrhea.

The most effective way to manage the risks associated with hazardous chemicals is to follow the Storemasta methodology. This methodology has 4 phases: Identify, Assess, Control and Sustain.

Employers have the responsibility to provide working conditions that do not put workers at risk of serious harm. You have the right to receive training and information on job hazards and methods to prevent harm.

What are 2 toxic substances used in a salon? ›

If you are an employer, the law requires you to control the use of chemicals at work. To do this you need to assess the risks in your workplace and implement and maintain effective control measures.

Salons are basically obstacle courses — wires, wet floors and everything in between. To minimise the risk of slips and trips, keep walkways clear, promptly clean spills and secure loose cords. Staff training should also include awareness of these risks and the importance of maintaining a tidy, hazard-free workspace.

Chemical hazards and toxic substances pose a wide range of health hazards (such as irritation, sensitization, and carcinogenicity) and physical hazards (such as flammability, corrosion, and explosibility).

Get medical attention promptly. If this chemical contacts the skin, flush the contaminated skin with water promptly. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water promptly.

Employees must be trained on the hazardous chemicals they may encounter at the time of initial assignment, whenever a new hazard is introduced into the workplace, and when employees may be exposed to other employers' workplace chemical hazards.

In some cases, hazardous substances may irritate the skin or eyes, make it difficult to breathe, cause headaches and nausea, or result in other types of illness.

Chronic health effects typically result from repeated exposure to chemicals and can lead to serious, long-term effects, including occupational hearing loss, liver damage, bronchitis and cancer.