While crafting the perfect manicure or giving a relaxing foot massage, nail technicians need barrier protection to guard themselves against harsh chemicals and blood borne pathogens. When making purchasing decisions, salon owners are not only looking out for the safety of their employees, but they are also liable to regulations from the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).
These regulations are important for a reason. Prolonged exposure to the chemicals used by technicians may lead to:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Skin, eye, mouth, and nose irritation
- Asthma
- Harm to fetuses of pregnant technicians
- Kidney and liver damage
- Cancer
Additionally, blood borne pathogens contribute an additional biological risk to nail technicians. When grooming nails and nail beds, they can be exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV viruses.
In order to address these risks, nail salon owners purchase several types of barrier protection in their supply order. As they stock up on shellac gel polish, nail drills, and other nail supplies, they will also order disposable gloves and face masks to keep their employees safe.
Disposable Gloves
Exam-grade disposable gloves are necessary for protecting nail technicians against these health concerns. However, due to the prevalence of latex allergies, the industry is trending toward non-latex gloves. Nitrile is a synthetic material that is a great alternative to latex. Disposable gloves made of nitrile have a better fit because the material conforms to your hand the longer you wear it. For nail technicians, an exam-grade nitrile glove such as AMMEX Indigo Nitrile Exam Gloves (pictured above) can keep nail technicians safe against blood borne pathogens and latex sensitivities. Nitrile gloves also have the benefit of avoiding potential latex allergies for nail technicians as well as salon clients.
Masks
Face protection gives nail technicians a barrier between their respiratory system and chemical dusts and germs in their environment. Many salons use ear loop face masks, which also protect customers from what workers exhale. For better protection, salons should consider a filtering face piece such as N95-rated face masks. These masks can filter out dust while technicians apply acrylic powders of other air born hazards.
Wide Open Market
More than 375,000 nail technicians are in need of protection from these extreme workplace hazards. Salon owners are purchasing disposable gloves and face masks along with their other salon supplies. If you are a distributor with salon clients, have you considered carrying barrier protection to satisfy this need?
