Health, Safety and Hygiene Compliance
Essential safety knowledge
Candidates must understand infection control, standard precautions, hand hygiene, cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation distinctions, single-use items, waste segregation, chemical safety and safety data sheets, ventilation, electrical safety, slips and trips, manual handling, fire evacuation, and first aid arrangements. Know patch testing requirements for colour products and the importance of following manufacturer instructions.
Traps in questions
A frequent trap is confusing cleaning (removing soil), disinfection (reducing pathogens) and sterilisation (destroying all microorganisms). Another trap is assuming gloves replace hand washing; they do not. Questions may also imply that a visibly clean tool is safe - some require disinfection regardless of appearance. Watch for scenarios where a client reacts and staff continue the service, or where a safety data sheet is unavailable.
Worked example
A razor nick occurs. Stop, wear gloves, apply first aid, dispose of contaminated waste correctly, disinfect the area and tools per policy, document the incident, and review the cause.
Rule of thumb
Apply hierarchy of control: eliminate the hazard, substitute, engineer controls such as ventilation, then administrative controls and PPE last.