Maintain safe, hygienic and effective working practices during aesthetic treatments
Overview
This standard is for aesthetic practitioners complying with the maintenance of effective health, safety and hygiene practices throughout your work, following the treatment protocol, legal and organisational requirements. This standard is part of the aesthetic national occupational standards suite, which includes standards related to skin rejuvenation, electrocautery, using laser, light and aesthetic energy based devices and micropigmentation. You will need to prepare yourself and client, your treatment area, tools, equipment and products prior to the aesthetic treatment being performed.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
maintain your responsibilities for health and safety before, during and after the aesthetic treatment
implement risk reduction controls to minimise hazards and risks associated with aesthetic treatments
prepare and protect yourself and others within the treatment environment following legal and organisational requirements
position your client following the treatment protocol
use working practices that:
5.1 minimise fatigue and the risk of injury to yourself and others
5.2 minimise the risk of cross-infection by using disinfected equipment and clean materials
5.3 follow universal hygiene and standard precautions
5.4 use environmental and sustainable working practices
follow organisational procedures and manufacturers' instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products
select and use equipment in line with manufacturers' guidance
carry out tests to establish suitability for treatment
dispose of waste materials to meet legal requirements
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- your responsibilities for health and safety as defined by any specific legislation covering your job role including:
1.1 the local authority's rules, licensing requirements for yourself and your premises
1.2 the methods of cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation
1.4 why you must comply with infection prevention and control protocols
1.5 the causes and hazards of accidental exposure to clinical waste
- the reasons for adhering to organisational and treatment protocols during:
2.1 the setting up of the treatment environment
2.2 the delivery of aesthetic treatments
the legal and organisational requirements for client protection, preparation, dignity and privacy
how safe positioning techniques and working practices can prevent work related injury and ill health
the necessary environmental conditions for treatments including:
5.1 lighting and illumination
5.2 heating
5.3 ventilation
the hazards and risks associated with the aesthetic environment, equipment, materials, products and the controls to be implemented
the different types of working methods that promote environmental and sustainable working practices
the current insurance guidelines for the safe use of aesthetic equipment and the treatment protocol
the workplace and manufacturers' instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products
why you must comply with the safe purchase of equipment and products
the legal requirements for tests prior to aesthetics treatments, taking into account:
11.1 the purpose of tests
11.2 how and when to carry out tests
11.3 the modifications of the treatment as a result of the test outcome
11.4 the reasons for providing verbal and written aftercare instructions to the client
- the legal requirements for waste disposal
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Health and safety
- Health and Safety at Work Act associated regulations and directives
- Local Authority Legislation or licensing schemes
- Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act
- Environmental Protection Act
- Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations
- Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations
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Organisational and treatment protocols
- clinic management
- client treatment plan
- record keeping
- waste management
- advice and recommendations
- clinic and records audit
- personal protection
- test outcomes
Work related injury and ill health
- physical injuries and disorders
- diseases
- injuries related to equipment use
Environmental and sustainable working practices
- environmental waste management
- energy use
- environmental core practices
- working to commercial times
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Tests
Tests, a method of trial exposure used to determine initial suitability or parameters for the treatment, this could include patch, allergy alert, sensitivity or trial exposure tests.
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Personal protection
This will include Personal Protection Equipment, universal hygiene precautions, inoculations for air and blood borne infectious diseases. Personal safety, lone working and safe guarding.
Treatment protocol
A plan, that sets out a device and treatment indication specific protocol, identifying pre-treatment checks and tests, the manner in which the procedure is to be applied, acceptable variations, settings used, the expected outcome and when to modify or abort the treatment.
Universal hygiene and standard precautions
Universal hygiene precautions were developed to address the risks involved with biological pathogens within the medical field. Standard precautions identify the risk of transmission of pathogens from a biological source and ways to reduce bio hazard infections.