OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY IN THE SALON/SPA ENVIRONEMENT - THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF TOOL & EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) compliance is not a suggestion it is a legal requirement under South African law. For employers in the beauty, hairdressing, wellness, and spa industry, this responsibility extends far beyond basic hygiene and cleanliness. One of the most commonly overlooked, yet most frequently inspected areas by the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL), is the condition and maintenance of tools and equipment used in the provision of treatments and services.

When DoEL inspectors visit a salon or spa, their mandate is clear: to assess whether the workplace, including its equipment and processes, meets the standards set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993. The law requires that all employers provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of employees and clients and this includes how tools such as clippers, blades, tweezers, waxing heaters, micro-needling pens, facial steamers, and other devices are cared for, sanitised, stored, and used.

Understanding the Employer’s Duty in Terms of OHS

In terms of Section 8 of the OHS Act, the employer has a duty to:

• Provide and maintain systems of work, plant and machinery that, as far as is reasonably practicable, are safe and without risk to health;

• Ensure that every employee complies with OHS instructions and policies;

• Take steps to eliminate or mitigate any hazard or potential hazard to the health or safety of employees and clients.

Failure to meet these obligations, especially in environments where tools come into direct contact with human skin or bodily fluids, is not only unethical, it is unlawful.

Tools of the Trade: High Risk If Not Maintained

In a salon or spa, tools are extensions of the therapist or stylist’s hands. Clippers, razors, extraction tools, massage devices, foot spa basins, and other commonly used items can cause injury or infection if not properly maintained. For example:

• Blades and Clippers: If not regularly disinfected and oiled, clippers can harbour bacteria or cause abrasions and cross-contamination between clients.

• Facial Steamers: Without regular descaling and sanitising, these machines can build up mould and bacteria, expelling unhealthy steam directly onto clients’ skin.

• Wax Pots and Applicators: Using the same wax for multiple clients or reusing sticks increases the risk of burns and bacterial transmission.

• Foot Spas and Basins: Often a breeding ground for fungi or bacteria if not scrubbed and disinfected between each client.

Clients receiving services trust that the establishment is maintaining tools to a professional standard. DoEL inspections now place increased scrutiny on cleaning protocols and physical maintenance logs for high-contact tools and shared equipment.

The Spa Environment: A False Sense of Safety?

Spas often project an image of cleanliness and calm, but behind the scenes, the same risks present in salons exist. Electrical therapy devices, ultrasound machines, laser tools, and aromatherapy diffusers all carry health risks if not routinely checked. Many spa tools come with manufacturer maintenance schedules, which should be recorded and adhered to failure to do so may result in invalidated warranties and liability if injury occurs.

Employers must also ensure that chemicals used to clean or disinfect such equipment are OHS-compliant, stored securely, and accompanied by up-to-date Chemical Safety Data Sheets (CSDS). Staff should be trained not only in treatment protocols but in the proper maintenance and safe use of every tool they handle.

DoEL Inspection Focus Areas for Equipment and Tools

When DoEL arrives for an inspection, they may look for the following:

1. Evidence of regular cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance of tools and equipment;

2. Maintenance logs or checklists (dated and signed by the person responsible);

3. Staff training records relating to hygiene and equipment use;

4. Proof that tools are being stored correctly (e.g. closed containers, disinfectant jars, UV steriliser cabinets);

5. Evidence that all electrical tools are PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) checked if applicable;

6. Proper disposal processes for single-use items (e.g. blades, nail files, waxing applicators);

7. Warning signage where applicable (e.g. “Hot Surface” on steamers or heaters);

8. Clear policy and procedure documents around tool care and usage.

Creating a Culture of Accountability

Tool maintenance should not rest solely on the shoulders of the employer. Every team member who uses a piece of equipment must take ownership of its cleanliness and condition. However, it is ultimately the employer’s duty to set the standard through policies, training, and enforcement.

Some best practice steps include:

• Assigning tool care responsibilities by role or station;

• Introducing daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance checklists;

• Keeping physical or digital logs for each machine and tool;

• Training new hires during induction on equipment protocols;

• Regularly auditing the state of tools and taking disciplinary steps when negligence is found;

• Replacing tools or sending them for servicing according to a set schedule.

Why It Matters: Beyond Compliance

Yes, tool maintenance is about compliance but it is also about client safety, brand reputation, and staff well-being. The tools we use directly affect the results of our services and the trust our guests place in our hands. Equipment that is dirty, damaged, or functioning poorly is a liability, both from a health perspective and a business standpoint.

In the event of an injury, infection, or complaint, the first question asked will be whether the tool was maintained correctly. If an inspector finds that tools were unclean or poorly serviced, employers can face penalties, enforcement notices, or even business closure depending on the severity.

Prevention Is Better Than Penalty

In closing, the key takeaway is this tool maintenance is not a secondary concern. It is central to OHS compliance, client safety, and professional standards in our industry. Employers who prioritise this area not only protect themselves from liability and inspection failure but also create a culture of excellence and care that their clients will notice and trust.

DoEL is watching and rightfully so. Let us do what is required, not because we fear penalties, but because we respect the people we serve and the profession we represent.