Do you work in a hairdressing or barber salon? It’s not only clients who make claims against hairdressers. Hairdressers and barbers also commonly claim compensation from the salons or aesthetic centres in which they work, as a result of suffering an injury which was not their fault.
Common injuries sustained while at work in a hairdressing salon
All occupations come with their inherent risks and working as a hairdresser or barber is no exception.
If you work in hairdressing or barbering and suffer an injury while at work, and you were not to blame, it might be possible to claim compensation for any personal injury sustained.
You need to contact legal experts to establish if you have a genuine case and what can be done under the circumstances. In many cases, you can take advantage of a no-obligation consultation to get the necessary advice initially.
Experts in accident at work claims in Gloucester outline some of the injuries commonly suffered by hairdressers/barbers:
These are some examples of injuries which are suffered by hairdressers all too frequently. The list is not exhaustive, so even if the injury you suffer is not included in this list, you might still be able to file a compensation claim.
Burns, including chemical burns
In any hairdressing salon, you’ll find plenty of styling tools, for example, blow-dryers, hair straighteners, curling tongs, etc. Such equipment/tools need to be regularly inspected for damage and to make sure they remain in good working condition. They should also be switched off when not being used, to help prevent burns.
There is also a constant risk of chemical burns for hairdressers/stylists because they regularly handle chemicals like hair dyes, tints, and bleaches, which can, in some cases, lead to burns if the skin is exposed to them, especially over an extended period of time.
Electric shocks
Most salons have plenty of electrical equipment and use lots of water for washing hair and cleaning; a potentially lethal combination. The risk of a short circuit or electrocution is always present.
Ideally, a well-designed salon will have a layout which puts a safe distance between frequently used electrical items such as tongs, straighteners, dryers, etc. and, for example, basins for washing/rinsing clients’ hair.
Slipping, tripping and falling
It is essential to maintain the floor in a clean and dry state, free of hair and water. Slipping and tripping are some of the most common accidents in the workplace and can lead to many serious injuries such as broken bones, soft tissue damage, and even injuries to the head.
Dermatitis
It’s normal for hairdressers and stylists to use various different chemicals on a daily basis including shampoo, conditioner, hair dyes, tints, and bleaches, etc. Their hands are also constantly exposed to water throughout the day, all of which can cause dermatitis.
Allergy to latex
In order to protect their hands, it has become common practice to use protective latex gloves. But, this also carries the risk of developing an allergy to the latex material. A better option is to use gloves made from a synthetic material such as vinyl or nitrile, which are safer and less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
In extreme cases, an allergy to latex can lead to skin problems, for example, eczema and various other kinds of dermatitis, and even respiratory issues, for example, asthma.
If you are a hairdresser/stylist or barber and believe you have suffered an injury through no fault of your own at work, first seek medical attention to treat the injury, and then get legal advice to ascertain if you have a case to file for compensation.
