BUSINESS ESSENTIALS

RUNNING A SALON OR BARBERING BUSINESS IS HARD WORK, BUT AXA BUSINESS INSURANCE WANTS TO MAKE IT THAT LITTLE BIT EASIER…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Hairdresser Risks And Hazards

As a salon owner, it’s up to you to spot potential risks and try to prevent them. Performing a risk assessment, which involves working out the ways your business operations might cause harm or injury to you, an employee or the public, can help you figure out how to mitigate those risks.

Understanding Hazards Versus Risks

HAZARDS: situations or objects with potential to do harm – think tools, ladders, or lifting and moving stock.

RISK: an assessment on how things might go wrong and how serious the implications might be. It’s an owner’s responsibility to do everything ‘reasonably practical’ to control the risks.

Common Hairdressing Hazards Slips Or Trips

It’s easy for cut hair, product spills, and loose cords or cables to result in hazardous salon floors. HOW TO AVOID: everyone should know which parts of the floor are still wet from cleaning. Put a yellow warning sign up. Keep walkways clear of trip hazards.

Cuts And Grazes

Cuts and grazes as a result of scissors or razors can happen to both staff and clients. Bloodborne infection can be a risk. HOW TO AVOID: clean sharp implements with sterilising liquid after each use. Keep a first-aid box stocked and introduce spot checks to ensure blades are stored safely.

Skin Damage

Frequent contact with cleaning products can irritate skin, causing rashes, blisters and more. HOW TO AVOID: provide non-latex disposable gloves and change gloves between clients, as well as hand cream to keep hands moisturised.

Chemical Or Allergic Reactions

Bleaches, colourings, and oxidation hair dye products can cause an allergic reaction, resulting in burning, itching and more. HOW TO AVOID: do a patch test up to 48 hours before using the product on your client. Train staff in dye use and patch testing techniques.

Standing

Musculoskeletal injuries can be caused by standing for long periods of time. HOW TO AVOID: have a break area with comfortable chairs. Work while seated if possible. Advise staff on wearing comfortable shoes with support.

Insure Your Hairdressing Business

Business insurance from AXA can help protect your salon if things go wrong. With the freedom to style your insurance to suit you, the main covers are:

• PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE: protects you, staff and customers from accidental injury that occurs because of your business practices.

• BUILDINGS INSURANCE: covers you in the result of property damage, such as from fire or flooding.

• EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY INSURANCE: a legal requirement for any business with employees and protects you if staff are injured or fall ill working for you.

• BUSINESS CONTENTS INSURANCE: protects your salon’s contents and stock from damage or theft.

A DAY OF WORK/ LIFE BALANCE FOR SESSION STYLIST ADAM GARLAND @ADAMGARLAND__

I GET UP AT… 6am, and it’s usually eggs, avocado and Ryvita for breakfast.

MY WORK WARDROBE CONSISTS OF… Colour! Print! Texture!

MY JOB ENTAILS… Being kind.

I GOT HERE BY… COMMITMENT.

MY DAY CONSISTS OF… Learning many new things and embracing fear.

MY FAVOURITE WORK TOOL IS… My Mason & Pearson brush. It’s got heritage, prestige, and has stood the test of time.

MY DAILY FUEL IS… Positivity, challenges and daily gratitude lists, both morning and evening.

MY SPOTIFY PLAYLIST INCLUDES… Sia’s Unstoppable on repeat, my current mantra!

I’M ALWAYS PLANNING… For success. As soon as I wake up I grab a pen and write my goals down.

WHEN I GET STRESSED I… Pause, catch myself and turn it into positive energy. It’s possibly the most powerful tool I have trained into my life.

WHEN I GET STUCK I… Learn a new skill to overcome it.

THE HABIT I NEED TO BREAK IS… Vaping, 24/7.

THE MISTAKE I LEARNT THE MOST Being in denial that I am an addict. Using to deal with myself doesn’t work for me.

THE ADVICE I’M GLAD I IGNORED… That if you haven’t ‘made it’ by the age of 35 then you will never be a success.

MY INBOX LOOKS LIKE… It’s organised. I spent a day learning how to improve it last year and haven’t looked back.

MY BIGGEST INDULGENCE IS… Designer clothes. I love bright prints, especially Loewe and anything from Louis Vuitton.

AFTER WORK I… Work is my life right now. I’m launching sessionhair.com this year and it’s full on.

I DECOMPRESS BY… Reading, currently Hype Yourself by Lucy Werner.