Implement and maintain safe, hygienic and effective working practices during elective non-surgical cosmetic procedures

URN: SKANSC1.2
Business Sectors (Suites): Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures
Developed by: SkillsActive
Approved on: 30 Mar 2021

Overview

This standard is for aesthetic practitioners complying with the maintenance of effective health, safety, infection control and hygiene practices throughout your work in accordance with the non-surgical cosmetic procedure protocol, legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements. This standard is part of the non-surgical cosmetic national occupational standards suite, which includes standards related to botulinum toxin type A to treat excessive sweating, the use of plasma devices, cryotherapy facials and high intensity focused ultrasound energy procedures to rejuvenate skin. 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 non-surgical cosmetic procedure being performed. The aesthetic practitioner must have a First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent and be able to carry out the functions within SFHCHS36: Basic life support and have access to life support equipment as identified in the complication management and/or emergency plan.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

​1. maintain your responsibilities for health and safety pre, during and post the non-surgical cosmetic procedure

  1. carry out risk assessment(s) prior to undertaking the non-surgical cosmetic procedure to include:

2.1 record the outcomes of the risk assessment(s)

2.2 implement control methods and take appropriate action **

  1. apply infection prevention and control measures to include:

3.1 universal precautions and standard precautions

  1. prepare the working environment in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policies and procedures

  2. prepare and protect yourself and others within the working environment in accordance with legislative and organisational policies and procedures

  3. position the individual in accordance with the non-surgical cosmetic procedure protocol

  4. use working practices that:

7.1 minimise fatigue and the risk of injury to yourself and others

7.2 use environmental and sustainable working practices

7.3 minimise risk and maintain the individual's  safety

  1. source and select the equipment, materials and products to meet the individual's needs, area to be treated and fit for purpose to include:

8.1 associated risks

8.2 according to recognised standards

  1. use equipment, materials and products in accordance with the non-surgical cosmetic procedure plan, legislative requirements and manufacturer's guidance

  2. carry out tests to establish suitability for the procedure when required

  3. assess and dispose of waste to meet legislative requirements


Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

​1. your responsibilities for health and safety legislation covering your job role

  1. the local authority's rules and conditions, licensing and/or registration requirements for yourself and your premises

  2. why you must comply with ethical practice and work within the legislative requirements

  3. your own physical and psychological wellbeing and how this may impact on being able to provide a non-surgical cosmetic procedure safely

  4. your responsibility and the reporting procedures for suspected malpractice

  5. how and when to seek further advice and support outside the practitioner's remit to include:

6.1 compliance with data legislation

  1. how and why you must comply with infection prevention and control procedures, to include:

7.1 universal precautions and standard precautions

  1. the hard surface disinfectants to include:

8.1 the chemical compositions and associated risks

8.2 how contact times impact the effectiveness

  1. the causes and risks of microbial contamination and methods of infection prevention

  2. the skin disinfectants to include:

10.1 the chemical compositions and associated risks

10.2 the impact on the pH scale and barrier function

10.3 how contact times impact the effectiveness

  1. the causes, hazards of accidental exposure to clinical waste and how to respond

  2. the audit and accountability of working practices and procedures

  3. the reasons for adhering to non-surgical cosmetic procedure protocols during:

13.1 preparation of the working environment

13.2 the consultation, assessment and delivery of non-surgical cosmetic procedures

  1. the legislative and organisational requirements for the individual's protection, preparation, dignity and privacy

  2. how safe positioning techniques and working practices can prevent work related injury and ill health

  3. the importance of ensuring the working environment is in line with legislative requirements to include:

16.1 lighting and illumination

16.2 heating

16.3 ventilation

16.4 fixtures, fittings and equipment

16.5 facilities and amenities

16.6 audit and accountability  

  1. the hazards and risks associated with the non-surgical cosmetic procedure environment, equipment, materials, products and the controls to be implemented

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

  3. your current insurance and indemnity requirements relevant to the non-surgical cosmetic procedure

  4. the legislative, organisational and manufacturers' safety instructions for equipment, materials and products, to include:

20.1 storage

20.2 handling

20.3 usage     

20.4 disposal

20.5 record keeping

  1. why you must source equipment and products which comply with legislative requirements

  2. the legislative requirements for tests prior to non-surgical cosmetic procedures, taking into account:  

22.1 the purpose of tests

22.2 how and when to carry out tests

22.3 the modifications of the non-surgical cosmetic procedure as a result of the test outcome

  1. the reasons for providing and obtaining confirmation of receipt from the individual for theverbal and written *instructions and advice pre and post the non-surgical cosmetic procedure

  2. the legislative requirements for waste disposal


Scope/range


Scope Performance

**Waste** 1. non-hazardous waste 2. clinical 3. sharps 4. bio-hazardous 5. mixed municipal waste 6. general and confidential 7. recyclable

Scope Knowledge

Health and safety

  1. Health and Safety legislation, associated directives, regulations and guidelines

  2. Local Authority legislation, licensing and/or registration schemes

  3. Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions
  4. Environmental Protection
  5. Cosmetic Products Enforcement

  6. Safeguarding policy

  7. Current Disclosure Service requirements relevant to each geographical location

Further advice

  1. individual safety alerts
  2. adverse reaction reporting
  3. sign-post individuals to a relevant professional

Infection prevention and control procedures

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

Audit control and accountability of working practices

  1. preparation and planning
  2. measuring performance
  3. implementing change
  4. sustaining improvement

Non-surgical cosmetic procedure protocols

  1. working environment
  2. health and safety
  3. risk management plan
  4. infection prevention and control
  5. procedure plan
  6. informed consent 
  7. additional advice and support
  8. data management
  9. audit and accountability
  10. pre and post instructions and advice
  11. waste management
  12. evidence based and reflective practice

Work related injury and ill health

  1. physical injuries
  2. disorders
  3. diseases

Environmental and sustainable working practices

  1. environmental waste management
  2. energy use
  3. environmental core practices
  4. working to commercial times

*Instructions *

  1. the individual and aesthetic practitioner's legal rights and responsibilities
  2. immediate and ongoing support and advice
  3. complication management and/or emergency plan
  4. post procedure expectations and associated time frames
  5. pre and post procedure instructions and care
  6. restrictions and associated risks
  7. future procedures
  8. complaints procedure or concerns protocol 


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary

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, prevention of needlestick and injuries from sharps, risk assessment, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, environmental cleaning and waste disposal.

Working environment

The working environment requirements should comply with Health and Safety legislation and be in accordance with guidelines set out either by your local authority or governing body.

Risk assessments should be undertaken and control methods implemented and documented, updated regularly and/or if changes occur. The working environment should be hygienic and fit for purpose for the non-surgical cosmetic procedures to be conducted safely and effectively using aseptic techniques. Infection prevention and control procedures are required to minimise risk of infection and transmission of microbes. Personal protective equipment must be fit for purpose and available. Equipment and products must be maintained in line with the manufacturer instructions and legislative requirements.

It is advisable to create a complication management and/or emergency plan for all non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the event of an adverse reaction or incident.


Links To Other NOS

SKANSC2.2, SKANSC10, SKANSC11, SKANSC12, SKANSC13


External Links


Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

31 Mar 2024

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

SkillsActive

Original URN

n/a

Relevant Occupations

Aesthetic Practitioner

SOC Code

6222

Keywords

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