Be safe in the workplace with CIDESCO’s top tips

CIDESCO, the world standard for beauty and spa therapy, has announced ‘Health & Safety month’ to help raise standards in the industry and improve your wellbeing while working.

“While there are laws and requirements that help us maintain health & safety standards, going above and beyond these will be noticed by the staff and clientele, creating a sense of pride among both,” comments Anna-Cari Gund, president of CIDESCO. “As a business, it is essential to keep striving for new levels of excellence and there is no better way to improve our industry than taking extra care of our staff and our clients.”

CIDESCO’s Top 10 Health & Safety Tips:

1. Do a risk assessment. You need to understand the risks so you can take the necessary steps to reduce the risk of work-related injury or illness.
2. Write a Health & Safety policy. If you are an employer you should have a health & safety policy that identifies the risks and prevent harm from any incidental hazards, arising in the workplace. Key areas will include allergies, aches and pains, storage and use of chemicals, wet floors and handling of electrical equipment.
3. Have the right facilities. Employers will need to ensure that staff have access to toilet and washing facilities, drinking water, somewhere to store clothes and change, staff wear uniform and there is somewhere for them to rest and eat meals during breaks.
4. Minimise stress. Long hours, a busy workload and working with other people can be stressful which in turn can lead to health problems including depression. Look at ways you can minimise this by helping to stay in control of the workload and balancing work activities.
5. Take regular breaks. Stay fresh and alert to help avoid injury or burnout.
6. Check your work area. Use ergonomically designed furniture and equipment, and rearrange your work area so that everything needed is within easy reach.
7. Protect your back. If you need to pick up and carry heavy loads, keep the load close to your body and lift with your thigh muscles – not with your back.
8. Avoid alcohol. Research has revealed that alcohol and drugs are a contributing factor in around 3% of workplace fatalities.
9. Talk. Whether you’re an employer or employee, keeping communication channels open is important. This not only reduces stress but also highlights any particular risks.
10. Get insurance. Rules will vary by country, but generally your business should have employers’ liability and public liability insurance. If an employee or client gets ill or injured due to your business it will protect you against the cost of compensation.

For more advice, visit www.cidesco.com