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compensation following an accident
illness or injury - nationwide
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Hair salons offer a variety of different treatments, and many customers visit to have a cut and blow dry regularly, whereas other customers choose to re-colour their hair with dye or highlights.
Strong chemicals used to colour hair, such as bleach, can irritate skin and can cause a skin condition such as contact dermatitis to appear. However, frequent wet working or the use of milder chemicals, such as shampoo, is actually a more common cause of dermatitis.
In 2011 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that 70% of hairdressers in the UK suffer from work-related skin damage at some point during their career, and many of these cases could have been prevented if the worker had been given appropriate training and protection.
Causes of contact dermatitis for hairdressers
Substances such as shampoos and hair colourants can cause allergic contact dermatitis to develop quickly after a few instances of contact with skin, however, the allergy can sometimes take months, or even years, to develop. Once a person has developed the allergy, it will stay with them for the rest of their life.
Unfortunately, hairdressers who develop an allergy at work may find that they are also affected by items that they use in their home, such as their own shampoos, or any household cleaners.
Precautions can be taken to reduce the chances of worker developing the condition. Disposable non-latex gloves should always be available for hairdressers to use for rinsing and colouring.
Following a treatment, a hairdresser should dry their hands thoroughly with either a cotton or paper towel. It is also a good idea to use a hand cream after washing hands, as well as at the start and at the end of the day.
Hairdressers should change their gloves when they treat a new client, and should remove gloves carefully to ensure that hands are not contaminated in the process.
Finally, hairdressers should frequently check their skin for symptoms of dermatitis which can include dryness, redness, itching, flaking and blistering.
Making a claim for a work-related injury
If you have developed a skin condition, or have suffered another injury at work, and it was caused due to an employer's negligence, you may be able to make a compensation claim.
One of our legal advisors will be able to tell you within minutes whether you have a case, and if we believe you do, we will appoint an experienced personal injury solicitor to represent you.
What's more, we offer our services completely free of charge, regardless of the outcome of your case.
For free advice call now on 0800 10 757 95, or if you are using a mobile phone, call us on 0333 240 0871.
