BABTAC & the British Beauty Council work together to help techs return to work safely

The British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC) is working with input from the British Beauty Council to provide a guide from a therapist’s viewpoint on the policies and procedures to be undertaken to ensure the safety of themselves and their clients when back at work.

Lesley Blair, chair of BABTAC, and Millie Kendall MBE, CEO of the British Beauty Council, are pushing government to listen to their advice and formalise the policies that BABTAC has drafted, based on years of industry knowledge and advice from infection control specialists.

“We know the beauty industry has bee hit badly by Covid-19,” says Lesley Blair. “If a therapist is making around £40-£50 per hour, then over a normal working week this equates to approximately £1500-£1900 in lost revenue. This is not accounting the losses attributed from any retail sales associated with treatment.

“So, we are working to product guidelines that ensure a safe return to work for our members and indeed the beauty industry. While doing this, we must make certain that any guidelines are going to maximise client and therapist safety during these exceptional times and reassure clients that all possible measures have been adopted to ensure their safety.”

The policies and procedures document aims to help therapists with the planning process to help them re-open efficiently when the time comes, while ensuring the safety of their clients remains of paramount importance. BABTAC reminds therapists to not stockpile products and hygiene and safety equipment now, when the NHS should be prioritised.

Topics covered in the guide include:

• Hygiene, cleaning and disinfection guidelines for spaces, staff and clients, tools and supplies
• Strategic planning and risk assessment
• Adapting protocols to ensure client and staff safety
• Appropriate communication with staff and clients
• Staff and client illness protocols
• Salon admin and space set-up

The guidelines will be available via the BABTAC Covid-19 support hub on their website via www.babtac.com/258-covid19-support.