Implement and maintain safe, hygienic and effective working practices

​This standard is for professionals complying with the maintenance of effective health, safety, infection control and hygiene practices throughout your work, in accordance with the service protocol, legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements. 

This standard is part of the Hair, Barbering, Trichology, Beauty, Nails, Wellbeing and Holistic and related industries NOS suites. 

You will need to identify, assess and implement control methods in relation to yourself, the working environment including tools, equipment and products, the individual and area to be treated, prior to the procedure being performed. It is advisable users of this standard are aware of, and comply with first aid requirements, in accordance with legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

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1. maintain your responsibilities for health and safety pre, during and post procedure, in accordance with legislation and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines 
2. carry out risk assessment(s) prior to undertaking the procedure, to include:
   1. record the outcomes of the risk assessment(s)
3. implement control methods and take appropriate action
4. apply infection prevention and control measures in accordance with legislation and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines, to include:
   1. universal precautions and standard precautions
5. prepare the working environment in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policies and procedures
6. prepare and protect yourself and others within the working environment in accordance with legislative and organisational policies and procedures, to include:
   1. personal hygiene
   2. personal presentation
   3. personal protective equipment
7. position the individual in accordance with the service protocol
8. use working practices that:
   1. minimise fatigue and the risk of injury to yourself and others
   2. use environmental and sustainable working practices
   3. minimise risk and maintain the individual's safety
9. source and select the equipment, materials and products to meet the individual's needs, area to be treated and are fit for purpose, to include:
   1. associated risks
   2. according to recognised standards and legislative requirements
10. use equipment, materials and products, in accordance with the service plan, legislative requirements and manufacturer guidance
11. carry out tests to establish suitability for the procedure when required
12. assess and dispose of waste to meet legislative requirements

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1. your responsibilities for health and safety as defined by any specific legislation covering your job role
2. the local authority's rules and conditions, licensing and/or registration requirements for yourself and your premises
3. why you must comply with ethical practice and work within legislative requirements
4. the importance to comply with a professional code of conduct in the workplace, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
5. your own physical and psychological wellbeing and how this may impact on being able to provide a procedure safely
6. your responsibility and the reporting procedures for suspected malpractice
7. how and when to seek further advice and support outside the practitioner's remit, to include:
   1. compliance with data legislation
8. how to carry out a risk assessment and controls to be implemented
9. how and why you must comply with infection prevention and control procedures, to include:
   1. universal precautions and standard precautions
10. the hard surface disinfectants, to include:
    1. the chemical compositions and associated risks
    2. how contact times impact the effectiveness
11. the causes and risks of microbial contamination and methods of infection prevention
12. the skin disinfectants, to include:
    1. the chemical compositions and associated risks
    2. the impact on the pH scale and barrier function
    3. how contact times impact the effectiveness
13. the causes, hazards of accidental exposure to clinical waste and how to respond
14. the audit and accountability of working practices and procedures
15. the reasons for adhering to the service protocol
16. the consultation, assessment and delivery of procedures
17. the legislative and organisational requirements for the individual's protection, preparation, dignity and privacy
18. how safe positioning techniques and working practices can prevent work related injury and ill health
19. the importance of ensuring the working environment is in line with legislative requirements, to include:
    1. lighting and illumination
    2. heating
    3. ventilation
    4. fixtures, fittings and equipment
    5. facilities and amenities
    6. audit and accountability
20. the hazards and risks associated with working environment, equipment, materials, products and the controls to be implemented
21. the range of environmental and sustainable working practices
22. your current insurance and indemnity requirements, relevant to the procedure
23. the legislative, organisational and manufacturer safety instructions for equipment, materials and products, to include:
    1. storage
    2. handling
    3. usage
    4. disposal
    5. record keeping
24. why you must source equipment and products compliant with legislative requirements and manufacturer instructions, to include:
    1. ensuring products sourced are for cosmetic use
    2. avoiding the risk of toxicity
25. the legislative requirements for tests prior to procedures, taking into account:
    1. the purpose of tests
    2. how and when to carry out tests
26. the legislative requirements for waste disposal

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Working environment

1. health and safety legislation, regulations, directives and guidelines
2. licensing and/or registration requirements
3. risk assessment(s)
4. infection prevention and control
5. fire safety risk assessment
6. waste management

Waste

1. non-hazardous waste
2. clinical
3. sharps
4. mixed municipal waste
5. general and confidential
6. recyclable

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Health and safety

1. health and safety legislation, regulations, directives and guidelines
2. Local Authority legislation, licensing and/or registration schemes
3. environmental protection
4. cosmetic products enforcement
5. safeguarding policy

Infection prevention and control procedures

1. aseptic techniques
2. single use items
3. universal precautions
4. standard precautions

Service protocol

1. working environment
2. health and safety
3. risk management plan
4. infection prevention and control
5. service plan
6. informed consent
7. test outcomes
8. manufacturer instructions
9. additional advice and support
10. data management
11. pre and post instructions and advice
12. sustainability
13. waste management
14. evidence-base practice
15. reflective practice

Work related injury and ill health

1. physical injuries
2. disorders
3. diseases
4. mental health
5. fatigue

Environmental and sustainable working practices

1. environmental waste management
2. energy use
3. environmental core practices
4. working to commercial times
5. use bio-degradable and compostable options or products
6. aware of your own and business carbon footprint

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Aseptic techniques

Aseptic techniques are using practices and procedures to prevent cross contamination of pathogens.

Microbial contamination

Microbiological contamination refers to the presence of unwanted microbes such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and spores.

Universal precautions and standard precautions

Universal precautions are relevant if the practitioner is exposed to blood and/or some bodily fluid. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to implement infection prevention and control measures to prevent exposure to blood borne pathogens or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM).

Standard precautions are the basic level of infection control that should be used at all times within the working environment, such as hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, risk assessment, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, environmental cleaning and waste disposal. If required, the storage, handling, use and disposal of sharps must be in accordance with legislative requirements.

First aid

First aid can refer to first aid at work qualifications or equivalent and first aid mental health awareness.

Tests

Tests can be referred to as patch, allergy alert, tolerance/pain and thermal/tactile depending on the proposed service. 

Toxicity

Toxicity is determined by a person's reaction to different dosages of a chemical. Toxicity or adverse reactions can occur from incompatibilities with an incorrect mixture of chemicals.

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1

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2024

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Current

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Original

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SkillsActive

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n/a

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Barbering, Hairdressers and Related Occupations, Hairdressing and Barbering, Nail Technician, Make-up and Skin Consultant, Make-up Artists, Beauty Therapist

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6221

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Health and Safety, risk assessment, infection prevention and control, legislation, elective non-surgical cosmetic procedures, botulinum toxin for excessive sweating, HIFU, plasma device, fibroblast pen, cryotherapy facial

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