Safe and Stylish Toxics Use Reduction in the Cosmetology Industry Funded by the Toxics Use Reduction Institute, Presented by Sue Viens and Lynn Rose Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative

Why our program is so revolutionary:  The recent loss of prominent industry icons has been a wake-up call to Cosmetologists about the health and safety hazards due to long-term exposure to hazardous salon products.  Until recently, the industry focus on health and safety was on the client, and the quality and outcome of the service. It was not about exposure to hazardous chemicals for the Cosmetologist or the client.  The Department of Education initiatives to develop the Frameworks for technical education has provided us with the opportunity to expand our industry’s definition of health and safety to also address the hazards of chemicals. This initiative has allowed us to incorporate Toxics Use Reduction strategies into the Frameworks as the first step in health and safety. If we reduce the use of toxics in our industry, then we reduce the related health and safety hazards and the need to manage them.

What we have accomplished: Our Cosmetology Program will model how to use Toxics Use Reduction strategies as the first step in meeting the new Chapter 74 safety requirements.

The Cosmetology Program will use the following Toxics Use Reduction strategies:  Selection of the least toxic products available.  Education of students in least toxic salon processes.  Promotion of safe work practices and housekeeping of hazardous products to prevent accidents.

Additional safety initiatives include the use of a Model Salon as an ideal training facility for hands on learning. The unique safety qualities of the Model Salon include:  Using state of the art dispensary for product storage with dedicated ventilation.  Using ventilated nail tables designed by the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety to prevent exposure to nail product vapors.  Ventilating the entire salon work area directly to the outside.  Using chemical storage equipment to safely segregate products by chemical compatibility.  Using product dispensing equipments to reduce vapors.  Using state of the art emergency response equipment and supplies.  Designing salon layout to ensure safe transport of hazardous products and quick access to emergency response equipment and supplies.  Posting signs for safety and emergency response.