Health and Safety as a Makeup Artist

Legislation

I’m going to research health and safety legislation and how it applies to the makeup industry so I can keep clients and myself safe and if any accidents occur, I’ll know how to properly deal with them.

Health and Safety at Work act 1974

All businesses have to comply with the HSWA to ensure the health and safety of clients and workers.

The employer’s health and safety duties are:

  • Ensuring the way of working is safe.
  • Making sure the workplace is clean.
  • The equipment being used is clean and safe.
  • Carrying out risk assessments.
  • Informing employees of any risks related to the job (since I’ll most likely be working as a self-employed freelance makeup artist this doesn’t apply to me as much but I’ll have to research all potential risks myself).
  • There should be an appointed person to oversee health and safety.
  • Employers should speak with workplace health and safety reps.
  • If there’s a union the employer should set up a workplace safety committee.
  • There should be adequate facilities for the welfare of staff.

Most of the responsibilities are for the employer, but employees have a basic duty of care and since I’ll be self employed I need to know both the duties of the employer and employee.

The employees’ responsibilities are:

  • Employees should take care of their own health and safety as well as colleagues’ health and safety.
  • Employees shouldn’t interfere with things put in place to maintain health and safety.

Report of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995

RIDDOR ensures that accidents and dangerous incidents in the workplace are reported to a health and safety executive. An example of this in the beauty or makeup industry would be if a client had an allergic reaction, it should be reported to prevent it occurring again.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002

COSHH ensures safety when using hazardous substances and materials. Breaching COSHH is a crime that results in an unlimited fine. Lots of people work with potentially hazardous substances, including makeup artists.

Substances included in COSHH regulations are:

  • Hazardous liquids
  • Hazardous solids
  • Fumes
  • Fibres
  • Dust
  • Gases
  • Mists
  • Nano- Particles (not particularly relevant to makeup industry)
  • Viruses and bacteria

Hazards included in COSHH are:

  • Lung damage
  • Skin damage
  • Genetic damage
  • Damage to internal organs
  • Risk of injury
  • CNS damage
  • Damage to eyes
  • Damage to nose or mouth

Health and Safety Regulations 1981

The Health and Safety Regulations act ensures that someone trained in fist aid is on the premises at all times to deal with any accidents. Employers should carry out a first aid needs assessment to fit the type of work the business does.

References:

https://www.crysp.co.uk/health-and-safety-in-salons-guide-to-compliance#:~:text=All%20businesses%2C%20including%20hair%20and,complete%20repairs%20on%20the%20property.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Explained

COSH: https://www.britsafe.org/training-and-learning/informational-resources/what-is-coshh#:~:text=COSHH%20stands%20for%20’Control%20of,punishable%20by%20an%20unlimited%20fine.

What are the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981?

Health and Safety When Applying Makeup and Styling Hair

When doing a client’s hair and makeup, the makeup artist must do the following to protect themself, the client, and the people around them:

  • Clean station, mirror and brushes with IPA before and after each use to disinfect the surface/bristles. If IPA isn’t available, washing up liquid can also be used to disinfect brushes and disinfectant wipes can also be used for work surfaces or mirrors.
  • Sanitise hands. Re-sanitise if you touch your own hair or face.
  • Decant products onto a palette (or back of sanitised hand) with a spatula before putting them onto the client’s face.
  • Don’t use mascara wands, liquid liners or lipsticks from the tube. Use a disposable spoolie or lip wand instead.
  • Sharpen pencil liners before and after each use.
  • Tie your hair up to keep it away from the client’s face.
  • Ask client if they have any allergies or skin conditions that they know about before applying products.
  • Perform patch tests before working on a client to see if they’re allergic to products.
  • Ask client to close their eyes and put your hand in front of their eyes before spraying anything towards their face.
  • Use heat protection before using electrical appliances on the client’s hair.
  • Check if the client or anyone else nearby has asthma or other breathing problems before using hair spray. Use gel spray instead if anyone does have breathing problems.
  • Remove hair from hair brushes after use.
  • Put a heat protection mat on the work surface before turning an electrical appliance on to avoid damaging the work surface.
  • Make sure any heated appliances have cooled down before putting them away.
  • Buy fragrance free skincare to avoid allergic reactions.
  • Make sure there’s enough space around your station so people can walk through without getting hurt.
  • Keep bags/coats in cupboards or hang them up so people don’t fall over them.
  • Avoid bending too much to avoid back problems later in life.