It’s Day 2 of our new beginning. We’ve had just 1 week to get ready to return to work following our then Taoiseach’s announcement that ‘Yes, Hairdressers, Beauticians and Barbershops’ could re-open on Monday 29th June. It will be a day that our industry will never forget. But the day has come and gone, we have welcomed back some of our dear clients and more will be following (in their droves) over the next days and weeks.
But while we tend to our clients we must not forget the important and vital training that we as Owners and Managers require and also the training that our team require. HABIC has joined forces with Image Skillnet to create the training that you and your team requires. This training has been tailored specifically for the Hair and Beauty Industry and is particularly relevant for businesses with teams.
Here’s an introduction to this training, what is available, your training checklist and also some information that we think is particularly important – you guessed it… the use of PPE.
Business Owners / Managers
As business owners or managers, we understand that all things COVID-19; the return to work process,
managing employees and the paperwork…. (Oh the Paperwork) can be overwhelming. For this reason HABIC
has put together a programme which effectively holds your hand through this daunting process of returning to work.
Image Skillnet in partnership with HABIC have been granted funding from Skillnet Ireland for the delivery of the
Rebound, Recover and Beyond programme which has been tailored specifically for the Hair and Beauty Industry.
This programme consists of 21 online lessons, templates and one-to-one support sessions and best of all it is
FULLY Funded (course value is €2,000). As places are limited, we highly advise that you book NOW. https://www.imageskillnet.ie/rebound-programme/
Teams / Employees
There is a requirement for each business owner to provide training to their team as doors re-open. HABIC is receiving
lots of questions from people asking can salons train their team themselves or do they need to pay for training.
Here’s our answer;
YES, you can and should be training your team as COVID-19 induction training is essential. It is essential to educate your team on the new norm set out in the Return to Work Safely Protocol and we can help you with this.
Once again, HABIC has teamed up with Image Skillnet to deliver FREE Employee Induction training and Lead Worker Representative training. This training is free to all your employees. The training has been prepared in a series of online videos. At the end of the session there is a short quiz. Each employee will then receive a Certificate of
Completion which should be kept in your COVID-19 compliance folder.
But let’s face it, team training should go far beyond the Return to Work Safely Protocol. You really need to and should educate your team on the new norm of YOUR salon. We can’t expect our teams to know what we
expect from them and all our new procedures if we don’t communicate and educate them on the new norm:
Here’s some suggestions to consider and then to explain to your staff;
- what are the new norms unique to you and your salon?
- what are your new procedures unique to your salon?
- how will your salon work and flow?
- explain and demonstrate, the client journey from the start to finish?
- what and how should staff speak to clients and each other about COVID-19?
- how will your salon look after elderly or vulnerable clients?
- how should staff handle tricky or concerned customers?
- when should staff ask for help? (including technical, physical or emotional help)
- what is the culture in the salon moving forward?
- are there any “elephants in the room” that need to be discussed?
- what do you expect from your team?
- what can your team expect from you?
What Training is Available
PLEASE ENSURE that you DOCUMENT the training given in your salon – detail the content of the
topics covered and ask employees to sign that they have engaged and received training from the salon.
(then include a copy in your COVID-19 folder).
To help make the process easier, HABIC and Image Skillnet have FREE training available in a number of areas
with a Certificate of Completion for each person that completes the training. The available training includes;
- FREE Lead Worker Representative training
- FREE Employee Induction training
- FREE bespoke training for the Hair and Beauty sector.
- Free Communication training https://www.imageskillnet.ie/events/back-work-therapist-training-free-webinar/
- Free Team Culture https://www.imageskillnet.ie/events/team-culture-with-freddie-banks-free-
- webinar/
Your Training Checklist
- Provide Lead Worker Representative training
- Provide Induction training for all workers
- Ensure all staff members complete a pre-return to work form, this should be completed at least 3 days in advance of the return to work.
- Provide Staff Communication Training; consider the development of an employee communication strategy, focusing on;
- How staff will engage and communicate with clients? (Will you train your employees on how to appropriately communicate with clients in order to avoid raising the client’s anxiety, fears or increased stressed levels with negative language and messaging.)
- How will employees discuss COVID-19 in the workplace?
- Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) training:
- Employees should be informed on the appropriate use of PPE, including appropriate removal of masks and disposable gloves.
- Provide face coverings / masks guidance in line with Public Health Advice.
- Employees should be reminded not to touch their faces when wearing gloves.
- Practice makes perfect; please practice wearing your PPE and ensure you have the correct type that fits and is comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time.
- Personal Protective Equipment requirements and recommendations should be in line with Public Health advice and it is recommended to carry out a risk assessment to accurately reflect the need for PPE for each treatment and service.
- Training to be given on the correct usage and disposal of PPE.
- Consider the continuity of supply of PPE
Here are some good sources of PPE related guidance, advice and information:
- https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Topics/Personal_Protective_Equipment_-PPE/PPE–
- FAQs/Personal_Protective_Equipment_FAQ_Responses.html#activities
- Details on the correct use of suitable PPE for the management of suspected or confirmed Covid-19 can be found on the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) website at; https://www.hpsc.ie/az/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidanc/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance
PPE
Use of Masks
To further mitigate risk of infection, NPHET’s and Public Health Advice recommends you opt to introduce a face covering or mask wearing policy in line with public health guidelines. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/aac74c-guidance-on-safe-use-of-face-coverings/
FOR YOUR CLIENTS – in line with government guidance your clients may also wear a mask during their service to decrease the potential of infection. Please note, it is preferable to use masks with ear loops to keep it in place and also so as to disturb the client as little as possible during their service.
How to Wear and Remove a Mask Correctly:
When wearing a mask, it is essential that it is disposed of correctly.
- Before putting on a mask, you must have properly cleaned hands from using either an alcohol-based hand rub, or soap and water.
- Cover the mouth, nose and chin with the mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
- Avoid touching the mask when using it; if you do, clean your hands with either an alcohol- based hand rub, or soap and water.
- Don’t hang the mask from your neck, and don’t put it up on your head.
- Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.
- To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of the mask); discard immediately in a closed bin with a plastic bin liner; clean hands with either an alcohol-based hand rub, or soap and water.
Click here to see what the correct way is to wear and take of masks: https://youtu.be/M4olt47prMouth covering
Click here to see what the correct way is to wear and take of masks: https://youtu.be/M4olt47prMouth covering
It is essential to preform enhanced respiratory etiquette at all times. When coughing and sneezing, you should cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue. Put used tissues into a closed bin and wash your hands.
Face shields/visors – Optional
If a face visor is used, additional care should be taken to clean and disinfect the visor correctly.
Face shields designed and authorised as PPE against respiratory droplets should not be mistaken or used as a substitute for impact protection PPE in the workplace.
Use of Gloves – Optional
- The WEARING Of GLOVES IS NOT A SUBSTITUTION OF HAND WASHING. Wearing disposable gloves can give a false sense of security and may result in not washing hands as frequently as required. HAND-WASHING is a greater protective barrier to infection than wearing disposable gloves.
- It is recommended that you wear short sleeved tops or shirts, your arms should be bear from the elbows down, this will enhance hand hygiene, you should also avoid watches, jewellery, nail extensions, etc.
- For some services where you are already using disposable gloves, take into account that gloves may be used but must be changed frequently and hands must be washed when gloves are removed.
- You can also use disposable gloves, for cleaning styling stations, tools, and during waste or laundry management, the purpose of using gloves is to reduce the risk of direct contact with potential contaminated surfaces.
- Gloves must be changed after carrying out other activities, such as opening/closing doors by hand, and emptying bins, and also after each client.
- You should avoid touching your mouth and eyes while wearing gloves.
- Please see this image here below on how to use disposable gloves properly.
Uniforms / Work Wear
WE WOULD RECOMMEND HAVING DEDICATED WORK CLOTHES. All work uniforms and clothing should be washed daily and kept clean, in a closed place.
- It is recommended to use the uniform / work clothes only for work.
- Opt for short sleeve tops that ensure you are bear from the elbow down, this allows for better hand hygiene
- After using, place in the washing machine with warm water at 60−90°C (140−194°F). Laundry detergent is recommended. The laundry can then be dried in accordance with routine procedures.
- Workers should consider having a pair of shoes which are for ‘work only’
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