Health & Safety
Guidance on the Operation of Ultra Violet Tanning
Equipment
Introduction
The use of any ultraviolet (UV) tanning equipment (e.g. sunlamps, beds, tanning
booths) may expose employees, customers and other people e.g. contractors, to
UV radiation at levels which can cause injuries and ill health either in the short
term (e.g. sunburnt skin or conjunctivitis) or in the long term (e.g. premature skin
aging, skin cancer and cataracts). This leaflet advises employers on controlling
the risks, and therefore complying with Health and Safety legislation.
Exposure to UV Radiation
Employees – Should not go into the UV treatment area whilst the UV lamps are
in operation, unless there is an emergency. General cleaning, repairs and retubing etc should always be undertaken when the UV lights are turned off.
You must also ensure that no UV light is escaping from the tanning cubicles or
beds and radiating into areas that staff access (if you can see the purple UV then
you are exposing employees and others to radiation)
Clients – You must provide each new client with a copy of the Customer
Information (copy provided in this leaflet) or similar information and also display a
copy in your premises. You must monitor and restrict clients’ use of the UV
tanning equipment. Clients should leave 24 hours between each session and
have no more than 20 sessions per year. The length of time a client is using the
UV tanning equipment should be carefully calculated based upon the strength of
the UV lamps – you should consult your manufacturer’s guidelines. You must
also consider that for some UV equipment session times will be reduced by ⅓ for
the first 50 hours of use after re-lamping.
You should advise clients not to wear cosmetics, deodorants or similar
preparations as these can increase skin sensitivity to UV radiation. You should
provide facilities for clients to shower or wash.
You must not let persons under 16 use
the UV tanning equipment, you should
seek photographic identification bearing
their date of birth such as a passport or driving licence – other forms of
identification are easy to forge.
All clients should wear suitable eyewear protection (sunglasses are not
acceptable). A sign should be clearly displayed on or near the tanning equipment
reminding customers to use eye protection.
Infection Control
The UV equipment booths, beds, etc should be cleaned with a suitable cleaner in
between clients. You should also schedule a more detailed clean of the
equipment at least weekly.
Any towels or other items must not be shared between clients; they must be
laundered between each use. You should ensure you have a sufficient supply of
towels to take account of daily business demands.
UV Goggles must not be shared between clients without thoroughly cleaning in
warm soapy water and then a suitable disinfectant. This is to prevent the person
to person spread of infections such as conjunctivitis. You should ensure you
have sufficient supply of goggles. Alternatively you can provide disposable eye
coverings or ask clients to provide their own goggles.
Ventilation
The operation of UV equipment can generate a considerable amount of heat.
You must ensure that the equipment itself is well ventilated, so clients do not
become to hot. You must also ensure that the rooms in which the equipment is
located has sufficient mechanical extract ventilation, ducted externally or others
means of maintaining the room temperature at or below 25ºC. It is extremely
unlikely that natural ventilation (opening windows) will maintain the room
temperature below 25ºC especially if more than one tanning unit is in operation.
Other considerations
You must ensure that your timer switches are functioning properly and cannot be
over-ridden by clients.
You should provide an emergency stop button, located in a suitable position
(externally so it can be operated by staff in an emergency).
All doors and equipment must be
capable of being opened from the
outside by employees in an emergency.
The floor surface must be suitably slip resistant.
You should record all treatments to clients, including time and date of treatment,
products used and any skin patch testing undertaken, and the results of the skin
patch tests.
Further information
Controlling health risks from the use of UV tanning equipment (HSE) – INDG209
Five steps to risk assessment (HSE) – INDG 163(rev2)
Artificial Tanning Sun beds - Risks and Guidance (WHO)
Websites
Health and Safety Executive – www.hse.gov.uk
The Skin Cancer Foundation - www.skincancer.org
The World Health Organisation (WHO) – www.who.int/en
Cancer Research – www.cancerresearchuk.org
Health Protection Agency – www.hpa.org.uk/radiation
Ultra Violet Tanning Equipment - Important Customer Information
should not;
Important Warning: There You
• Exceed the recommended times
are Health Risks from using UV • Have too many sessions per year
tanning Equipment As with exposure to • Have more than one session per day
natural sunlight, too much exposure to Ultra
Violet (UV) radiation from tanning equipment
can damage your skin and sometimes your
general health
Short Term Effects
• Sunburnt skin, which is red, painful and may
blister
• Skin dryness and itching
• Bumpy itchy rash
• Eye irritation or conjunctivitis
Long Term Health Risks
• Premature aging of the skin which looks
coarse, leathery and wrinkled
• Skin cancer – the more exposure, the greater
the risk
• Increased risk of cataracts (if suitable goggles
not worn)
Precautions
You must not use tanning equipment if your
skin is particularly sensitive
Some people are more prone to skin damage
than others. You should not use tanning
equipment if;
• You are under 16
• You have fair sensitive skin that burns easily
or tans slowly or poorly
• You have a history of sunburn, especially in
childhood
• You have a large number of freckles and/or
red hair
• You have a large number of moles
• You are taking medicines or creams which
sensitise the skin to sunlight
• You have a medical condition that is
worsened by sunlight
• You or anyone in your family have had skin
cancer.
• Sunbathe on the same day as using tanning
equipment
Seek Advice About Problems
If you notice any abnormal skin reactions
developing during the tanning session, stop the
exposure at once and consult your doctor before
using the equipment.
If you notice a change in the appearance of a mole,
do not use the equipment a seek advice from a
doctor.
Protect Your Eyes – Make sure you use goggles
or other eye protection provided, before using the
equipment, these should remain on for the duration
of the session. If no eye protection is provided DO
NOT USE the tanning equipment.
Understand the Equipment, know how to;
• Use the equipment properly
• Switch it off
• Call for help in an emergency
Don’t rely on your tan for protection – Tans from
cosmetic equipment do not protect you from the
effects of the sun, nor does it protect you from the
long term health risks mentioned earlier. You should
follow sensible advice on safety in the sun.
Know Your Skin – No matter whether you get your
tan from the sun or tanning equipment, you should
learn to recognise the early warning signs of serious
damage. Most skin cancers are completely curable
if detected in the early stages. Look for progressive
changing moles or other skin discolorations. If you
have any doubts, consult your doctor. Don’t delay.
Don’t Use Cosmetics Before Tanning. Some
cosmetics, deodorants and similar preparations
can increase sensitivity to UV radiation. You
should not or them, or wash them off before
using tanning equipment.
Tan Gently – You should not exceed more
than 20 sessions per year, you should note the
number of sessions you have had.
●Produced by Preston City Council●