Health and Safety Guide

FOREWORD FROM HAIR & BARBER NEW ZEALAND

Advances in techniques, products and practices are transforming contemporary hairdressing and barbering. One side effect of the growing complexity of the skills required of us today is an increased risk of developing injury and illness such as muscular skeletal disorders, occupational dermatitis and respiratory illnesses. The interpersonal connections that we have with our clients and wider communities can also put extra pressures on our workers, which can result in mental and emotional health issues.

These are topical issues for every business owner, manager and industry professional. Knowing what health and safety risks you and your workers are exposed to, and how to manage those risks is the key to preventing injuries and illnesses from happening.

Hair & Barber New Zealand is committed to promoting safe working practices within the industry. We have produced this industry guide to help ensure that you and your workers are operating in a healthy and safe work environment. This guide provides information on:

• Your workplace health and safety obligations.
• Hazards and risks typically found in the hair industry.
• Examples of safe work practices to manage the risks.
• Tools and templates to help manage compliance.

Following this guide will reduce the risk both to hairdressers and barbers working in the industry today and those contemplating entering the profession in the future.

We are providing this guide at no charge to our Hair & Barber New Zealand Association members and ensuring it is readily available for purchase to all workers in the industry. The guide’s recommendations will also be incorporated into Apprenticeship Training Agreements.

Niq James

Chair

Hair & Barber New Zealand

NOTICE OF DISCLAIMER

This publication is intended to provide guidelines on Health and Safety at Work for the hair industry. We have referred to WorkSafe New Zealand guidance when developing this guide. This publication has been written, edited and published strictly on the basis that its authors, editors and publishers hereby exclude liability by any or all of them in any way to any person or entity for damages in respect of or arising out of any reliance in part or full, by any such person or entity or by any other person or entity, upon any of the contents of this publication for any purpose.

©H&BNZ