Ohs Essay - 40% Beauty Industry PDF

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OHS FINAL ESSAY - 40%...

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Occupational Health & Safety Assessment Task 3: Evaluation of multidisciplinary approach to OHS - 40% Semester 2 - 2015. Course Code: BUSM3122

Name: William Mark Chetcuti

Student ID: S3431327

‘Critically evaluate the multidisciplinary approach to OHS, drawing on research undertaken on your Assessment Task 2 OHS issue.’ Attach an appendix (maximum 500 words) critically evaluating two other class presentations. During the course of this essay, I will be addressing the issue of chemical exposure within the hair and beauty industry and will also be critically evaluating the multidisplinary approach toward occupational health and safety rules and regulations within Australia. My aim is to thoroughly examine the issue and apply my understanding of the four step procedure that is set out to educate the workforce about controlling hazards and risks in the workplace. This procedure should ensure workers within the beauty industry are fully aware of the hazards and risks that are involved, and will therefore enable them to apply this knowledge toward the assessment, control and possible elimination or reduction of the risks that may affect them at work. First of all, what is occupational health and safety? OHS is a discipline in working industries that specialises in many fields. It aims to promote and maintain the highest degree of physical, social and mental well-being of people at work and also to prevent the negative effects on health that certain types of working conditions may have on workers. OHS also ensures the protection of workers from workplace risks, and emphasises maintained occupational environment that are suited to employees mental and physical needs (International Labour Organization 2015). One of the risks associated with many workers within a range of occupations, particularly in the beauty and cosmetic industry, is their exposure to hazardous chemicals. Hazardous chemicals are typically involved in the work that is carried out in beauty salons. Under Work Health & Safety standards, a hazardous or dangerous chemical is any type of element or substance that meets the standards of the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). In regards to the exposure of hazardous chemicals to beauty and salon workers, a hazard is classified as a set properties of a specific substance that can cause negative health effects to the worker or the environment surrounding. These hazards have the potential to lead to long term injury or illness to workers who are exposed (Safe Work Australia 2012). Exposure to beauty industry workers can occur in a variety of ways, either through inhalation, skin contact or ingestion of the chemical itself within the body (Shirey 2011). Health effects can be both long term and short term, some of the short term health effects include headaches, nausea, skin corrosion and vomiting, whilst long term health effects can be as severe as asthma, dermatitis, nerve damage or even cancer. Chemicals contained in beauty products have also been related to many neurologically related diseases such as immune diseases, depression, dementia, birth defects and reproductive disorders. (Pantsios 2014). 1

There are a number of research studies that analyse the effect salon chemical exposure has on the health and wellbeing of individuals working within the beauty industry. Studies from Women’s Voices for the Earth have indicated that women are most affected by this hazard as there are a larger number working in the industry. In New South Wales, over 50% of women who entered trade traineeships were hairdressers, and in Australia, 86.1% of hairdressers were primarily women (Family & Community Services NSW). Hand dermatitis is a common result of chemical exposure to beauty workers. A study on hand dermatitis, had found that the average incidence rate of the disease was 5.5% out of every one thousand cases. It had also resulted in medical consultations in 70% of patients, whilst 20% will have taken 7 or more days off in sick leave. (Thyssen et al. 2010). In a study conducted by the International Scholarly Research Notices in 2012, It was found that only 21% of nail technicians wear gloves ‘most of the time’, whilst 46% do not wear gloves at all, this had ultimately reinstating the fact that beauty industry workers are not educated well enough on the negative health effects beauty products can have. This study has also shown that 44% of all nail technicians have experienced constant headaches because of the chemicals they are surrounded by, though only 10% of these workers wear face masks to prevent inhalation (Roelofs, Do 2012). Research has also shown that salon workers are at greater risk to these certain health problems than other professions. From these studies run by the WVE, it is understood that the prices to salon workers health is too high and that manufacturers of these products need to create new solutions for hair and nails that can achieve the same tasks whilst doing less damage. (O’Loughlin 2010). In order for beauty industry employees to control and minimise the health risks associated with their occupations work environment, Work Safe Australia has come up with a four step procedure that guides employees step by step, making recommendations of the actions to be taken in order to control the occupational health and safety hazards and risks that may be effecting them. The first step for all employees as well as their employers to do is to identify the hazards that are involved within the workplace. Identifying these hazards involves inspecting the workplace thoroughly and finding all of the foreseeable hazards, in this case, the hairdressing or perhaps nail salon (Work Safe Australia 2007). From research conducted by Union Safe, substances such as Toluene and Formaldehyde are some of the most dangerous and hazardous chemicals within the nail beauty industry (Maron 2015). Workers must then understand the harm that can be potentially caused due to these hazards being present. Simple matters that can affect workers significantly include objects or products being put in the wrong place, or risk controls not being utilised. The second step for workers in the beauty industry is to assess and examine the risks involved whilst at work. This works to help employees develop their knowledge and understanding of the hazards and risks they are susceptible to in order for them to make decisions regarding the control of these issues. The first task is to find out what type of harm each hazard can cause as well as the degree of harm (Work Safe Australia 2007). For instance, hair and nail care products contain irritant substances, therefore when in contact with a person’s hands frequently, this will ultimately result in allergies or severe conditions/diseases including hand dermatitis. This is because such products contain 2

chemicals that can potentially cause contamination to the skin. Other hair styling agents and nail polishes can contribute to dermatitis and asthma related effects if constantly touched or inhaled frequently (Barret 2015). Once workers have identified the risks that are involved, it is wise to determine the likelihood of the risks occurring, for instance how likely is it for a worker to inhale beauty products at least once per day whilst working an 8 hour shift? This answer is of course extremely likely, therefore if the person had cecum to this inhalation, on what percentage could they experience an impact on their health? It is extremely important for salon workers to educate themselves on all of these areas within their work as well as within their day to day lives. Employers are obliged to ensure the health and safety of all their employees, no matter what the circumstances are. If employers have identified a risk or hazard, they must do everything within their capability to eliminate it so far as reasonably practicable. If it is not possible to remove a hazard, the hazard should be reduced to the highest degree possible. According to the department of commerce in WA, employers are obliged to provide nail technicians and other employees with regular and up to date training and information about the hazards and risks involved when working in beauty industry shops such as a nail salon. Employees are also meant to be taught how to control these hazards (Western Australia Department of Commerce 2015). In many cases, medical staff should be present to give beauty workers documented training on the hazards of chemicals including formaldehyde, as well as what should be done in the event of exposure or spill. A safety data sheet for formaldehyde should be held in the work space where this chemical is being used (Safety Service 2010). The 3rd step is the most essential, as workers are required to find control tasks for the hazards and risks they have identified and assessed in the first two steps. The most effective way to eliminate a risk is to eliminate the hazard. If this hazard cannot be eliminated, then employers or employees should look to eliminate as many of the risks associated with the hazard where possible (Work Safe Australia 2007). For example, a worker within the beauty industry who is consistently inhaling an array of chemicals should wear protection such as a face mask as frequently as possible when using certain products that contain fumes. This is necessary when the salon has inadequate ventilation, making it difficult to breathe clean air. The department of commerce also claims that employees have the responsibility for themselves and for their customers. Chemicals including ethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate have been used in nail salons when sticking artificial fingernails. These chemicals are responsible for skin damage and many other allergic reactions. There are measures that should take place in salons to minimise the risks including having all chemicals displayed on each product bottle, with a list of risks that are involved before the customer agrees to the treatment. Chemicals should also be kept out of reach and far away from each other to reduce the risk of spills or contamination. Nail technicians as well as hairdressers can also eliminate risks of skin damage and hand dermatitis by wearing the correct protective equipment, such as gloves when handling beauty products. (Western Australia Department of Commerce 2015).

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All hair and nail salons can be improved if employers and their employees had better enforced the rules and regulations associated with reducing or completely eliminating the risks involved when handling dangerous chemicals found inside so many beauty products on the market today within beauty salons across the world.

APPENDIX: Critical evaluation of two other Occupational Health & Safety Issues. 1. Violence in the Health Services Industry – Management & Prevention. The health industry includes public and private hospitals, residential aged care homes, GP practices and day procedure centres. The industry employs about 200,000 people in Victoria alone. Violence can be prevalent within the industry with nurses being most targeted within the workplace. There is an increase in patient violence inside workplaces such as hospitals. This violence can be fuelled by many factors, including increased drug and alcohol use by patients and visitors of patients, long waiting times in hospitals, and increases in patients who suffer from dementia and psychosis. In America, 60% of assaults occur within the health care industry, most injuries are caused due to musculoskeletal disorders, lifting and moving people as well as pushing and pulling patient trolleys. Risk factors include working in unpredictable environments and always communicating with patients face to face. These clients are usually already in distress, afraid, ill or incarcerated. Providing care to people who have unreasonable expectation is also a factor that can lead to many health care violence incidents. To resolve many of these issues, certain solutions should be delivered to workers, these include: - An environment which his supportive and promotes awareness of violence - Encouraging employees to document violence and aid successful prevention and management relating to violence - Lifting mechanisms to minimise musculoskeletal injuries - Restraints to be used on patients in serious conditions. It is also wise to design a system that tracks the history of assaults against employees by certain patients in health care. Psychiatric support staff should also be present in situations that require it, whilst training programs and clinical behaviour assessment and management plans should also be put in place to ensure workers have the know-how when dealing with workplace violence, particularly in the health care industry.

2. Workplace Stress Workplace stress is formally a natural human response that is stimulated through pressure when workers are facing demanding situations which require quick and efficient responses. It is the 2nd most common compensated illness to employees and 4

may also be injury related. There is $133.9 million in claims that relate to workplace stress and which is paid to workers who suffer from stress in the workplace. This type of illness/injury results in the longest rates of absenteeism of workers than many other injuries or illnesses. A total of $5.12 billion is lost in the economy due to employees being absent due to being too stressed out because of their work. It was found that 3.2 days per worker, per year was also lost due to workplace stress. It is usual for workplace stress to result from many issues within the workplace, including: - A low level of support for problems within the workplace. - Problem solving and personal development issues and inefficiency. - Poor relationships with superiors and managers. - Poor pay and working conditions, under promotions or career stagnation. - Poor workplace culture - Employee dissatisfaction with their job Many medical conditions can also result from workplace stress, including heart disease, asthma, obesity, diabetes and depression. Young adults aged 18-25 have been recorded to have high levels of depression and anxiety at work due to stress. Being healthy, exercising, and engaging in a work/life balance is a constant remedy for stress for these young people. There are a number of solutions that can be utilised to reducing or eliminating these symptoms of workplace stress, including improving workplace culture, attending to employee’s major needs, involving employees in decision making activities, recognizing employee’s hard work whilst giving constructive advice and feedback to them for improvement. Communication between employees and managers is extremely important in order to improve workplace morale. Incentives, monetary or non-monetary can also create an impact on reducing the stress that is typically surrounding some employees who carry high pressured roles within their workplace.

REFERENCES

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Barret, J, R (2015). Chemical Exposures: The Ugly Side of Beauty Products, US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, Viewed 15 October 2015,

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Department of Commerce (2015). Nail technicians | Department of Commerce, Retrieved 15th October 2015,

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Family & Community Services NSW, (2013), ‘Women in trades, the missing 48 percent’, NSW Government, P.8, Retrieved 16th October 2015

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International Labour Organisation (2015). ‘Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety’ Retrieved 15th October 2015,

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Safe Work Australia (2012). Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace, Safe Work Australia, viewed 13th October 2015,

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O’Loughlin, M. (2010), ‘How healthy are hairdressers? An investigation of health problems of female, Western Australian hairdressers’ Edith Cown University, P.21, Retrieved 16th October 2015,

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Pantsios, A. (2014), ‘Toxic chemicals in salons linked to adverse health effects, including cancer’, Ecowatch.com, Retrieved 16th October 2015,

Roelofs, C. Do, Tuan (2012). ‘Exposure assessment in nail salons: An Indoor Air Approach’, International Scholarly Research Notices, Retrieved 13th October 2015

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Safe Work Australia (2012). Employment and demographic factors that affected self-reported exposure to chemicals in the workplace, Retrieved 15th October 2015,

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Shirey, W (2011). Types of Chemical Exposures, Essortment, United States of America, viewed 17th October 2015,

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Thyssen, J. Johansen, J. Linneberg, A. Menne, T (2010). ‘The epidemiology of hand eczema in the general population--prevalence and main findings’

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Pubmed.gov, Retrieved 16th October 2015

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UC Davis Safety Services (2015). Guidelines for Handling Formaldehyde’, Retrieved 15th October 2015,

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Work Safe Australia (2007). ‘Controlling OHS Hazards and Risks’, Edition No. 1, P 3-16, Retrieved 13th October 2015.

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