Carry out ear piercing

This standard is about ear piercing and covers piercing of the ear lobe area only. You will need to use a variety of equipment, materials and products safely and correctly for this work. You will also need to provide the client with aftercare advice concerning the use of aftercare products, rotation and removal of the stud and possible contra-actions.

To carry out this standard you will need to maintain effective health, safety and hygiene throughout your work. You will also need to maintain your personal appearance and demonstrate effective communication and consultation skills.

The main outcomes of this standard are:

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1. maintain safe and effective methods of working when ear lobe piercing

2. consult, plan and prepare for ear lobe piercing

3. pierce the ear lobes

Maintain safe and effective methods of working when **ear lobe piercing

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1.  maintain your responsibilities for health and safety throughout the service

2.  prepare your client to meet legal and organisational requirements

3.  protect your client's clothing throughout the service

4.  maintain the client's modesty and privacy when required

5.  position your client to meet the needs of the service without causing them discomfort

6.  ensure your own posture and working methods minimise fatigue and the risk of injury to yourself and others

7.  position equipment and materials for ease and safety of use

8.  ensure environmental conditions are suitable for the client and the service

9.  keep your work area clean and tidy throughout the service

10. use working methods that minimise the risk of cross-infection

11. make productive use of your working time

12. ensure the use of clean resources

13. promote environmental and sustainable working practices

14. ensure your personal hygiene, protection and appearance meets accepted industry and organisational requirements

15. follow workplace and suppliers' or manufacturers' instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products

16. dispose of waste materials to meet legal requirements

17. complete the service within a commercially viable time

Consult, plan and prepare for ear lobe piercing

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18. use consultation techniques in a professional manner to determine the client's service plan

19. ensure that informed and signed parent or guardian consent is obtained for minors prior to any service

20. ensure that a parent or guardian is present throughout the service for minors under the age of 16

21. recognise any contra-indications and take the necessary action

22. agree the service and outcomes that meet the client's needs

23. obtain signed, informed consent from the client prior to carrying out the service

24. ensure that the position of the client allows suitable access to the ear lobe and minimises any risk of injury and discomfort to the client

25. disinfect and mark the area of the ear lobe for piercing

Pierce the ear lobes

26. pierce the ear lobe in the marked position

27. minimise discomfort to the client by ensuring a quick service

28. select and use equipment, materials and products to meet the needs of the service ** 

29. ensure that the finished result is to the client's satisfaction

30. give your client advice and recommendations on the service provided

31. ensure the client's records are completed and signed by you and the client

Maintain safe and effective methods of working when ear lobe piercing

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1.  your responsibilities for health and safety as defined by any specific legislation covering your job role

2.  the legal and organisational requirements for client protection and preparation

3.  the legal and organisational requirements for your own personal hygiene, protection and appearance

4.  safe positioning techniques for yourself and the client to prevent discomfort 

5.  the necessary environmental conditions for services such, as heating and ventilation, and why these are important

6.  why it is important to keep your work area clean and tidy

7.  methods of cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation

8.  methods of working safely and hygienically to avoid the risk of cross-infection

9.  the different types of working methods that promote environmental and sustainable working practices

10. the hazards and risks which exist in your workplace and the safe working practices which you must follow

11. suppliers' and manufacturers' instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products which you must follow

12. the legal requirements for waste disposal

13. the reasons for completing a service in a commercially viable time

Consult, plan and prepare for ear lobe piercing

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14. why it is important to communicate with clients in a professional manner

15. how to complete a consultation taking into account the client's diverse needs

16. the legal requirements for providing treatment to minors under 16 years of age

17. the age at which an individual is classed as a minor and how this differs nationally

18. the importance of agreeing the service that meets the client's needs

19. the legal significance of gaining signed, informed client consent to carry out the service

20. the legislative requirements for storing and protecting client data

21. how to recognise contra-indications that would prevent or restrict the service

22. the contra-indications requiring medical referral and why

23. the necessary action to take in relation to specific contra-indications when referring clients

24. the reasons for not naming specific contra-indications when referring clients

25. how to prepare and position the client when piercing the ear lobes

Pierce the ear lobes

26. the equipment checks that must be carried out prior to piercing the ear lobes

27. the types and use of equipment, materials and products that are used for ear lobe piercing

28. the prodecure for carrying out ear lobe piercing

29. the reasons why one pair of studs should be fitted at a time

30. the external structure of the ear including the pinna, lobe, cartilage and cartilaginous tissue

31. the dangers associated with piercing cartilage and other areas of the body

32. why ear studs have to be left in place for the recommended time and the effects of premature removal

33. the reasons for hygienically rotating the studs during the healing process and how often this should be carried out 

34. how to safely remove and replace studs after the healing period

35. the contra-actions that may occur, how to deal with them and what advice to give to clients

36. the advice and recommendations on products and service to the client

Consultation techniques

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1.  questioning

2.  listening

3.  visual

4.  manual

5.  written

Necessary action

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1.  encouraging the client to seek medical advice

2.  explaining why the treatment cannot be carried out

Equipment, materials and products

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1.  ear piercing gun

2.  sterile skin marker pen

3.  sterile ear studs

4.  mirror

5.  consumables

Advice and recommendations

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1.  suitable aftercare products and their uses

2.  avoidance of activities which may cause contra-actions

3.  present and future products and services

Health and safety

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1.  Health and Safety at Work Act

2.  The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)

3.  The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations

4.  The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

5.  The Manual Handling Operations Regulations

6.  The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH)

7.  The Electricity at Work Regulations

8.  The Environmental Protection Act

9.  The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations

10. The Health and Safety (Information for Employees) Regulations

Environmental and sustainable working practices

1.  reducing waste and managing waste (recycle, reuse, safe disposal)

2.  reducing energy usage (energy efficient equipment, low energy lighting, utilising solar panels)

3.  reducing water usage and other resources

4.  preventing pollution

5.  using disposable items

6.  using recycled, eco-friendly furniture

7.  using low chemical paint

8.  using environmentally friendly product packaging

9.  choosing responsible domestic products (Fairtrade tea and coffee)

10. encouraging carbon reducing journeys to work

Diverse needs

1.  cultural

2.  religious

3.  age

4.  disability

5.  gender

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Contra-indications

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1.  ear infections

2.  recent scar tissue

3.  sunburn

4.  moles

5.  skin disease/disorders affecting the ear area

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External structure of the ear

1.  the pinna

2.  lobe

3.  cartilage

4.  cartilaginous tissue

Advice and recommendations

1.  additional services

2.  additional products

3.  the range and use of aftercare products available

The following key values underpin the delivery of services in the beauty, nails and spa sectors

1. a willingness to learn

2. a flexible working attitude

3. a team worker

4. a positive attitude

5. personal and professional ethics

The following behaviours underpin the delivery of services in the beauty, nails and spa sectors. These behaviours ensure that clients receive a positive impression of both the organisation and the individual

1. meeting the organisation's standards of behaviour

2. greeting the client respectfully and in a friendly manner

3. communicating with the client in a way that makes them feel valued and respected

4. treating the client courteously and helpfully at all times

5. adapting behaviour to respond effectively to different client behaviour

6. checking with the client that you have fully understood their expectations

7. responding promptly and positively to the client's questions and comments 

8. recognising information that the client might find complicated and checking whether they fully understood

9. meeting both organisational and industry standards of appearance.

The following key skills underpin the delivery of services in the beauty, nails and spa sectors

1. the ability to self-manage

2. excellent verbal and non-verbal communication

3. using the most appropriate ways of communicating with a client

4. responding promptly to a client seeking assistance

5. quickly locating information that will help the client

6. providing the client with information they need about services and products offered by the organisation

Contra-actions

Refers to reactions that can result from the service; some reactions are normal such as redness and swelling. However, other reactions could be adverse reactions such as an allergic reaction.