Application
The unit requires the operator to demonstrate in his/her hairdressing practice an understanding of the potential for operator health risk and/or injury and to proactively follow preventative self-care strategies with regard to healthy posture, appropriate footwear, the handling and use of chemicals and hairdressing equipment, and the spread of infectious disorders. Knowledge and application of relevant manufacturer's product safety data and the salon approach to operator safety are required, along with attention to occupational health and safety legislation and regulations. Where this unit is used for assessment only or for training delivery and assessment co-requisite or prerequisite units of competency that relate to this unit are identified in the evidence guide of this unit. |
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA | |||
1 | Handle and use chemicals safely. | 1.1 | The symptoms, causes and common forms of occupational contact dermatitis are recognised and preventative routines are implemented according to workplace procedures. | |
1.2 | Protective gloves are worn for hairdressing chemical services according to manufacturer's product safety data sheets and workplace operator safety procedures. | |||
1.3 | Facial masks and goggles are worn when mixing colour and/or lightening products where indicated in relevant legislation, manufacturer's product safety data and according to workplace operator safety procedures. | |||
1.4 | Skin protective barrier creams are applied regularly to protect skin in regular contact with water and shampoo. | |||
1.5 | Cleaning and disinfecting products are diluted according to manufacturer's instructions and protective gloves are worn where indicated by manufacturer's product safety data sheets and workplace operator safety procedures. | |||
2 | Handle hairdressing equipment safely. | 2.1 | Scissors are held with points away from the body and passed with handles away from the body. | |
2.2 | Scissor blades are wiped with care away from the body and towards the point. | |||
2.3 | Disposable razor blades are removed and replaced according to workplace safety procedures. | |||
2.4 | Used blades are disposed of according to relevant legislation and safe workplace practices. | |||
2.5 | Electrical sockets are switched off when inserting and removing plugs on thermal equipment. | |||
2.6 | Equipment with loose wires is discarded and reported according to workplace maintenance procedures. | |||
3 | Practise personal hygiene. | 3.1 | Hands are washed thoroughly with anti-bacterial cleanser before and after client contact. | |
3.2 | Relevant legislation and regulations are implemented after contact with infectious disorders. | |||
4 | Practise healthy posture. | 4.1 | Posture-supportive closed toe footwear is worn in the workplace. | |
4.2 | Client chairs are adjusted up or down where possible to avoid operator bending. | |||
4.3 | Straight back and shoulders with bending from the knees where required is consistently demonstrated. |
Required Skills
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. | |
Skills may include: | communication skills that take into account the culture, background and abilities of other operators and clients, while demonstrating a knowledge of communication techniques, including: listening and questioning techniques verbal and non-verbal communication skills negotiation techniques |
language, literacy and numeracy skills relevant to the role and workplace requirements | |
consistently correct application and use of protective equipment including gloves, goggles and masks. | |
Knowledge may include: | knowledge of healthy posture and the impact of poor or incorrect posture the provisions of relevant occupational health and safety legislation and regulations |
the provisions of relevant health and hygiene legislation and regulations | |
workplace safety policies and procedures with regard to operator safety | |
the allergic and damaging effects to operators of consistent contact with hairdressing chemicals | |
techniques for the safe handling of a variety of hairdressing products, tools and equipment. |
Evidence Required
The evidence guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence. It is essential for assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the range statement and the assessment guidelines of the relevant Training Package. | |
Overview of assessment | |
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit of competency must be able to identify, describe and consistently integrate procedures to ensure personal health and safety, while carrying out a variety of tasks and providing client service in a hairdressing salon environment. Knowledge of relevant legislation and workplace operator safety procedures along with knowledge of the risk associated with unprotected use of hairdressing and cleaning chemicals to the operator's eyes, skin and respiratory systems must also be demonstrated. | |
Specific evidence requirements | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | ability to describe the risks associated with unprotected operator use of hairdressing and cleaning chemicals |
reading, accurately interpreting and consistently applying manufacturer's product safety data sheet instructions for the use and application of hairdressing chemicals | |
knowledge and consistent application of workplace operator safety policies and procedures, and safe work practices | |
knowledge and consistent application of federal, state and local health and hygiene regulations applicable to the workplace | |
knowledge of the transmission routes of infectious conditions and skills in the application of standard infection-control precautions. | |
Context of assessment | For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor and/or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor. The technical expert may include the hairdresser and/or an experienced person at the workplace. Competency should be demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of situations that may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace. For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package. Evidence should be collected with reasonable adjustment as determined by the needs of the client. |
Specific resources for assessment | Competency for this unit should be assessed through access to: relevant documentation, such as workplace policy and procedures manuals, occupational health and safety legislation, health regulations and manufacturer's product safety data sheets a range of clients with different requirements a range of products and equipment appropriate to the hairdressing workplace. |
Relationship to other units | In the context of an assessment-only and/or a training delivery and assessment pathway all units that relate to a job function can be integrated for assessment purposes. none. none. |
Method of assessment | The following assessment methods are suggested. Observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate his/her handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include: cleaning and disinfecting tools and equipment preparing for and performing shampoo services prior to design, chemical reformation, hair relaxation and haircutting services mixing colour and/or lightening products as directed by a senior operator rinsing and neutralising after a chemical curling service applying and removing temporary hair colour. Written questions relevant to the operator's work regarding OHS legislation and health regulations. |
Evidence required for demonstration of consistent performance | For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered through a range of methods to indicate consistent performance. It can be gathered from assessment of the unit of competency alone, through an integrated assessment activity or through a combination of both. Evidence should be gathered as part of the learning process. |
Range Statement
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance. The following variables may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts. Bold italicised text from the performance criteria is detailed here. | |
Symptoms may include: | condition of the skin, including: dry flaking split and cracked itchy blisters and welts on the skin swelling of fingers, hands and/or wrists runny nose, sneezing and asthma. |
Causes may include: | irritants, including: frequent and ongoing exposure to water shampoos and styling products soaps and detergents heat hydrogen peroxide chemical curling, volumising and straightening products allergy to particular products, including: hair dyes chemical curling, volumising and straightening products bleach products latex in natural rubber, such as that found in cheap, powdered, disposable latex gloves. |
Common forms of occupational contact dermatitis may include: | irritant contact dermatitis allergic contact dermatitis contact urticaria. |
Preventative routines may include: | using skin moisturisers regularly during the working day, at the end of the working day and before bed when hands are in contact with hairdressing chemicals, wearing gloves that are: specifically designed for hairdressers' use powder free, high quality latex developing the habit of wearing gloves throwing away disposable gloves after each use wearing reusable rubber gloves when cleaning in the workplace always keeping the contaminated surface of reusable rubber gloves on the outside not wearing rings while working with moisture and chemicals. |
Hairdressing chemical services may include: | applying curling/volumising solutions neutralising during curling/volumising services applying chemical straightening products hair colouring services hair lightening services. |
Workplace operator safety procedures may include: | workplace product safety data sheets and manuals workplace safety videos manufacturer's product safety data sheets health and hygiene procedures workplace safety customs and practices. |
Relevant legislation and regulations may include: | federal, state and local health and hygiene occupational health and safety. |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Competency Field
Hairdressing |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Not applicable.