Health & Safety Applying Artificial Finger Nails
Introduction
You have a general duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and
associated legislation, to control the many hazards relating to the application of
artificial fingernails. There are many hazards that must be controlled to prevent
any harm to employees, customers, self-employed persons and any other people
who share the facilities.
The application of artificial finger nails has many hazards that are specific to the
industry and the hazards must be controlled, specific risks include chemical
exposure, dust exposure, infectious diseases and musculoskeletal disorders.
The first step of controlling any hazards in the workplace is to undertake a risk
assessment. A risk assessment is a careful examination of the hazards in your
business and deciding whether more can be done to prevent people from being
harmed. The aim is to ensure that no-one is injured or suffers from an
occupational disease as a result of your work activities.
There are Five Steps to a risk assessment:
1. Look for the hazards.
2. Decide who might be harmed and how.
3. Evaluate the risks and decide whether the existing precautions are adequate
or whether more should be done.
4. Record your findings.
5. Review your assessment and revise if necessary.
If your business had 5 employees or more you will need to have written risk
assessments and make them available to health and safety inspectors during an
inspection.
The information contained in this leaflet will help you identify the risks to staff and
customers and also suggest control measure that should be implemented.
The HSE Leaflet Five Steps to Risk Assessment – INDG163 (rev 1) HSE, offers
further guidance on undertaking risk assessments.
Chemical Exposures
Working with artificial fingernails can be harmful to
health. The chemicals found in artificial nails can
be harmful not only to employees, but also to customers. Chemical vapours can
even escape the salon and affect neighbouring businesses. However, nail work
can be done safely if the proper steps are taken.
What is the problem?
The chemicals in artificial nail products can enter the body from breathing them,
from accidentally swallowing them, or from absorbing them through the skin.
Whether they affect a person’s health depends on several factors:
• how often and how long the person is exposed to the chemicals
• how the chemicals enter the body
• the amount of the chemicals in the air and/or on the skin
• the kinds of harm a specific chemical can cause
Artificial nail products can irritate the skin and cause a rash. They can also cause
dryness, flaking and cracking of the skin.
An allergy to some chemicals may also develop, resulting in redness, itching,
hives and sometimes blisters. Once an allergy to a chemical develops, exposure
to even a tiny amount can cause an allergic reaction – which in extreme cases
can be life-threatening. Nail products which can produce an allergic skin reaction
include methacrylates, formaldehyde and benzoyl peroxide.
Eyes
Contact with vapours and airborne dusts can cause irritation and redness,
burning, itching or discomfort. The eyes may water and vision may briefly
become distorted. Chemicals which can cause these effects include acrylates
and many solvents, such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and acetone.
Nose, Throat and Lungs
These same chemicals can also irritate the nose, throat and lungs. Symptoms
include irritation or soreness of the nose and throat, hoarseness, coughing, lung
congestion, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Cigarette smoking can
worsen these symptoms. Chronic bronchitis can develop from repeated exposure
to chemicals that irritate the lungs.
Repeated exposure to some of the artificial nail products, such as ethyl
methacrylate (EMA), can cause asthma. Symptoms of asthma include difficulty
breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.
Once a person becomes sensitized to a chemical, extremely small amounts of
that chemical (or even similar ones) can cause asthmatic attacks.
Contact Dermatitis
As the term implies, contact dermatitis is a
disease resulting from skin coming into contact with an outside agent. These
agents can be chemical, biological or physical in nature. There are two types of
contact dermatitis associated with skin exposure to chemicals: Irritant contact
dermatitis (ICD ) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD ).
The signs of contact dermatitis include redness, swelling, blistering, flaking and
cracking. It can lead to itching, bleeding and puss formation.
Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD)
ICD is a local inflammation of the skin. It can develop after a short heavy single
exposure (acute) or be due to repeated and prolonged exposure (chronic) to
hazardous agents, including chemicals. In some cases, more than one agent will
be involved, for example water and detergents. The irritant action of a chemical
depends on its ability to cause changes to the horny (outside) layer of the skin.
Some substances can remove skin oils, fats and moisture from the surface. This
action reduces the protective action of the skin and increases the ability of the
irritant substance to enter or infiltrate the skin.
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD)
ACD develops in stages. The allergic reaction begins with a process called
sensitisation. Sensitisation starts when an allergic substance penetrates the skin.
This provokes a number of immunological responses. The process can last from
four days to three weeks.
When a sensitised person is re-exposed to an allergenic substance, white blood
cells recognise it and react to protect the body. But they also release chemicals
called lymphokines. These cause itching, pain, redness, swelling and blisters on
the skin. Once sensitised, the allergic reaction is likely to remain with the
individual for life. If further contact is prevented, the level of sensitivity may
gradually decline.
Nervous System
Breathing in the vapours of certain chemicals can affect the brain the same way
as drinking too much alcohol does. Overexposure to these vapours can cause
headaches, nausea and dizziness, as well as make people feel irritable,
confused or drunk. Long-term exposure can affect the brain (including the ability
to learn and to concentrate). Some of these chemicals are MEK, acetone,
toluene, xylene, ethyl ether and methacrylates.
Cancer
Most of the substances used in artificial nails have not been adequately tested to
see if they can cause cancer. Formaldehyde and methylene chloride are
suspected of causing cancer. Avoid products
that contain these chemicals.
Reproductive System
Most of the chemicals used in artificial nails have not been adequately tested to see if
they can harm a developing baby or affect the fertility of men or women. Organic
solvents are used in artificial nail products and can be absorbed into the body by
inhalation or by skin contact. This type of chemical can cause birth defects when a
pregnant woman is exposed to them. They can also harm the nursing infant. Avoid the
use of acetonitrile and the glycol ethers.
You should consider excluding pregnant workers, and breast feeding mothers, from
working with these chemicals. As a minimum you should consider decreasing their
exposure by making them to perform other duties such as receptionist. You must make
them aware of the risks to their unborn child and baby.
Controlling Chemical Exposure
You will need to undertake a COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) risk
assessment. Acquiring a safety data sheet from the chemical suppliers will enable you to
complete a thorough risk assessment as well as simply reading any information on the
labels.
When undertaking a COSHH risk assessment you should;
1. Assess the risks
2. Use less hazardous chemicals wherever possible (look for safer brands)
3. Control the Exposures
4. Provide PPE, as a last resort.
In the USA Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) has been banned since the mid 1970’s due to
the related health effects. A similar chemical EMA is used and is presently considered
less harmful, although research is still being undertaken. You should not use any
products that contain MMA. Products that contain EMA are considered safer but still
harm your health.
In the nail salon, to get rid of EMA in the air you breathe, you should apply artificial
fingernails at a ventilated work table. It is also helpful to keep all bottles of fingernail
liquid tightly capped. Finally, you should look at your work habits to see if they can be
improved.
Ventilated Table
Researchers from the USA’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) have found that a ventilation table protects the nail technician best against
breathing EMA. The ventilated table is the most important engineering control for getting
rid of EMA in the fingernail salon because the vented table places local exhaust
ventilation close to the work area. Ventilation provided in the wall is not as effective as it
will draw the dangerous chemicals, up passed the face of the nail technician allowing
them to inhale the dangerous chemicals.
● Place local exhaust ventilation as
close to the EMA source as possible.
Exhaust this air outdoors. Charcoal filters
that allow the air to be used over again
are not recommended because it is hard to know when the charcoal is full.
● Build a ventilated table, or change a table you already own into a
ventilated one (Figure 1). Ventilated table sizes will vary from nail salon to
nail salon. Choose a wood for your ventilated table that will not soak up the
chemicals. If the table acts like a sponge, it may actually expose you to the
chemicals you want to avoid. A veneer-coated particle board works well for
the table material.
Figure 1
Make a hole in the table top for an air intake (called the downdraft face). This
downdraft face should be placed on the technician’s side of the table. Cover
the hole with a screen-like cover (or perforated plate) to prevent things from
falling in.
The client’s side of the table should be a little higher than the technician’s side.
This will allow the client’s hands to hang over the downdraft face and be as
close as possible to the local exhaust ventilation (Figure 2).
Figure 2
● Make sure enough air blows through the table downdraft to get rid of
the EMA. The amount of air exhausted depends on its speed as it moves
through the downdraft face and on the size of the table opening. However,
too much air rushing past the fingernails may cause the artificial nail
product to crystallize.
3
An air speed of 620 feet (17.5m ) per minute, directly above the 13- by 4inch (33cm to 10cm) downdraft face works well. A 22-inch (56cm) baffle
should surround the downdraft face to pull the moving air closer to the
clients hands.
Different drying times are needed for different fingernail products and
different application techniques. Although a stronger and larger airflow will
collect more dust during filing and dry the colour coat faster, a slower and
lower airflow gives better results for the artificial fingernail product.
3
● Choose an exhaust fan that can exhaust at least 250 cubic feet (7m )
per minute of air and has ¼-inch (0.6cm) static pressure. A 1/8 horse
power centrifugal fan should work well. To prevent fan noise from getting in
the way of talk or client comfort, you can do one of three things:
(1) buy a quiet fan,
(2) put a cover over a noisier fan, or
(3) buy an outdoor fan to be placed on an outside wall.
The fan should have control settings. Use either a multi-speed or highvolume exhaust fan with a damper.
● Provide enough makeup air to replace the exhausted air. If the makeup
air is too weak, there will be negative pressure areas and perhaps drafts.
The air intake, which pulls outdoor air inside, should not be placed near the
building exhaust. If the exhaust and
intake vents are too close, dirty air
will be pulled back into the room.
● Comfort fans should not blow directly
on the downdraft face because the strong air movement can interfere with the
exhaust airflow.
● Keep Dispenser Bottles Closed
Use dispenser bottles that have small openings, only large enough for an
application brush to enter. The bottle stoppers should
be pressure sensitive. A dispenser bottle with a
pressure-sensitive stopper and small opening will result
in less evaporation of the fingernail liquid and, thus, will
cut down on possible exposures to methacrylates
(Figure 3).
Figure 3
Nail technicians can also lower their exposures to these airborne chemicals by changing
some of their work habits:
1. EMA-soaked gauze pads should be placed in a sealed bag before being
thrown in the waste bin.
2. Waste bin liners should be changed daily.
3. No more than the needed amount of fingernail liquid should be poured into the
closed dispenser bottle.
4. Smoking should be banned for the entire salon because many of the
chemicals in a beauty shop, including nail products, catch fire easily, and
smoking increases the likelihood of persons developing respiratory illness
associated with occupational disease.
5. For First Aid advice, refer to the safety data sheet. Ensure all staff are aware
of the first aid procedures.
Dust Exposure
Dust occurs when the nails are filed; more dust is created using electric files. The dust is
a respiratory and eye irritant. Acrylic materials used in nail products typically contain
methacrylaters, these can trigger occupational asthma and high concentrations may
cause central nervous system depression. Acrylic dust resting on the skin can cause
allergic reactions and make nail technicians hyper sensitive to the dust, causing dried
skin, and painful rashes.
The ventilation systems, mentioned above, will help to remove dust from the air.
However there are a number of other measures that should be applied;
• Wear long sleeved clothing, to prevent dust settling on the arms.
• Always wear gloves. Change them after each client, (preferably cotton lined or
plastic disposable – nitrile gloves produce less allergic reactions than latex). Barrier
creams are not effective.
• Wear a dust mask when filing acrylic
nails, consider offering them to clients.
• Wear eye protection when filing the nails, these can also be offered to clients as
they protect from some dust exposure, but also from chipping or chemical
splashes getting into the eye.
• Nail technicians should wash their hands and face regularly throughout the day
removing any accumulations of dust. Use moisturising cream regularly.
• Encourage Nail technicians to shower after returning home from work, to remove
any dust from their hair and bodies.
Infectious Diseases
Risk of Disease
Infections like hepatitis and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) make it vital to
have high standards of cleanliness, personal hygiene and infection control. Hepatitis,
HIV and other diseases are spread by blood and body fluids and it is essential that
equipment (especially if contaminated by blood) is thoroughly cleaned/disinfected and
that strict codes of work and personal hygiene are followed.
In addition to these well-known health issues, nail technicians face special infection
issues. Artificial fingernails are known to harbour more harmful bacteria (like
staphylococcus) and yeasts (like candida) than natural nails and handwashing is not
enough to remove these pathogens. Nail technicians need to be aware that their own
artificial nails may transfer infection to clients and clients may transfer infection to the
technician.
Dermatologists also warn that excessive filing and buffing can cause nail trauma and
also put the recipient at greater risk of bacterial or yeast infections. Bumps to nails and
even over-zealous filing or buffing can tear the skin and allow dirt and germs to enter.
Never cut the cuticle. If the nail is re-glued without proper cleaning, bacteria and fungi
may grow in between nails and spread to the natural nail.
Clean the nail with alcohol before applying the new nail. If the space between the
artificial and natural nail is not regularly filled, then this space can increase the risk of
infection.
Fungal infections can also occur if artificial nails are left on too long (more than three
months). Moisture accumulates under the nail creating a perfect environment for
bacteria to grow.
Controlling the spread of infection
• wash your hands and your client’s hands thoroughly with soap and water
before beginning
• wash your hands after contact with blood or after removing gloves
• check for any cuts and abrasions and cover them with waterproof dressings,
and
• always wash hands before and after working, going to the toilet, eating,
drinking and smoking.
Managing Exposure to Blood or Other Body Substances
Every nail technician should understand clearly what to do if they are exposed to blood
or other body substances. After exposure to blood or other body substances the nail
technician should:
• Wash with liquid soap and water where the exposure does not involve a cut
or puncture.
• If eyes are splashed, gently rinse them
while they are open, or use an eye bath.
• If blood or other body substances get in
to the mouth, spit out and then rinse the
mouth with water several times.
• If clothing is soiled, remove clothing and shower if necessary.
• Report the incident immediately to your supervisor if there is one, and
• Seek medical advice as soon as possible, if the cut is serious.
You may wish to have immunisation against hepatitis B and also consider immunisation
against tetanus. Discuss this with your GP. As with most immunisation, regular boosters
may be needed.
If a client bleeds during the course of a procedure;
• put on clean disposable gloves (if not already wearing them),
• place a clean dressing on the wound and apply pressure to stop the bleeding,
• place soiled, disposable sharp equipment into a sharps or similar container,
• dispose of soiled dressings into a waste bin,
• place soiled, reusable equipment into a labelled container (for example Soiled
Equipment),
• clean the work area surfaces, that is benches, chairs or floors that have become
soiled with blood or other body substances, as soon as possible with water and
detergent, removing all visible soil using a disposable cloth,
• dispose of cloths used for wiping up blood,
• remove gloves, dispose of them and wash hands thoroughly.
Personal Protective Equipment
In some situations personal protective equipment (PPE) may be the most practical and
effective way to minimise risk. Examples of PPE are gloves, aprons and dust masks,
where needed, and safety glasses, which should be worn when cleaning equipment or
mixing chemicals. Be aware that contact lenses are not PPE and should not be worn by
nail technicians as they make the eye extremely difficult to clean in case of accident and
some vapours can make them melt.
Cleaning Equipment Properly
All equipment must be cleaned as soon as it is used. A special area should be set aside
for cleaning, and plastic or nitrile gloves worn during the entire process.
To clean equipment, always:
1. Pre-rinse equipment in cold water.
2. Wash in tepid water and detergent taking extra care with hard-to-reach areas.
Hold the item under water and carefully scrub with a clean brush.
3. Equipment which cannot be washed must be wiped clean with 70 per cent
alcohol on a clean cotton pad.
4. Dry and store in a dust-free environment.
5. Ensure that all equipment such as clippers, scissors and bits from electric
drills are thoroughly cleaned between patients. Use wire brushes and
solutions such as barbacide. Ensure equipment is left to dry after cleaning,
to prevent any harmful chemicals from the cleaning solutions being
absorbed through the skin.
Posture and Physical Injury
Many nail technicians experience problems with upper body injuries caused by
having to maintain awkward postures of the upper body and limbs while
performing highly repetitive tasks. Ergonomic assessment of the work of nail
technicians found there are high injury risk factors attached to the nail
technician’s duties. This includes repetition, forcefulness of hand movements (as
in filing and buffing), uncomfortable postures held for long periods (like bent
neck), and in a thriving business, little recovery time between sessions.
Injuries include musculo-skeletal disorders, also known as repetitive strain
injuries (RSI). These can include injuries like myalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome,
tendonitis and tenosynovitis. Scientific studies show neck, shoulders, arms,
hands, and fingers are at significant risk of injury unless efforts are made to
reduce the problem areas.
How to minimise potential injury
• Ensure that work stations are at the right height for the relevant tasks, such
as manicure tables at the right height and reception desks at a comfortable
standing height, and
• Use height-adjustable chairs with good back support.
• Adjust the height of the chair to ensure that arms are in a comfortable
position and your head is not constantly bent too far forward as you work.
• Vary tasks as much as possible to allow recovery time for muscles.
• Manage bookings to rotate the lengthy, demanding tasks if possible.
• Store all objects between knee and shoulder height.
• Avoid swivelling your body while working and try to move your feet in the
same direction as you are turning.
• Do finger stretching exercises and rotation of wrists, shoulders and neck.
• During busy periods take 5 minutes breaks between patients, take a short
walk outside and undertake some easy stretching exercises.
• Encourage staff to wear comfortable clothing, including footwear.
Training
All employees must receive adequate training to allow them to undertake their
job safely. This must include how to use hazardous substances safely. They
need to know what the health effects are if not handled correctly.
Training should cover:
• The risk assessment process
• Reading and understanding labels and
safety data sheets.
• Safe handling and work practices (including working with chemicals, posture
and infection control, etc)
• The use of PPE like gloves and eye protectors
• Clean-up of spills, and
• Emergency procedures and first aid.
Training should take into account literacy levels and language barriers and it
should be practical, with hands-on sessions.
Training needs to be updated when there is a change in the hazardous
substances used or if different control methods are used.
Further information and guidance
The following leaflets are available free from HSE Books 01787 881 165 or
www.hsebooks.com/books, available from the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk or
from the Health and Safety Team direct.
Five Steps to Risk Assessment – INDG163 (rev 1) HSE
COSHH: A Brief Guide to the Regulations – INDG 136 (rev 3) HSE
Respiratory Sensitisers and COSHH – INDG 95 (mv2) HE
Aching Arms (or RSI) in Small Businesses – INDG 171 (rev 1) HSE
Blood-borne Viruses in the Workplace – INDG 342 (HSE)
Health and Safety Training – INDG 345 HSE
New and Expectant Mothers at Work – C40 HSE
Selecting protective gloves for work with chemicals: Guidance for employers and
health and safety specialists – INDG 330
Preventing Dermatitis at Work – INDG 233
You can contact The Health and Safety Team directly for further information,
advice or single copies the publications listed:
Telephone: 0161 737 0551
or write to:
Health and Safety, Environmental Health Department, Turnpike House,
631 Eccles New Road, Salford, M5 2SH
We would like to acknowledge the following publications:
Controlling Chemical Hazards During the Application of Artificial Fingernails,
National Institute of Occupational Safety (USA) www.cdc.gov/niosh
Artificial Fingernails and Indoor Air Quality, Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Department of Labour, Division of Occupational Safety www.mass.gov/dos
Nail Technician’s Tips for Health and Safety, The Department for Women,
Australia www.women.nsw.gov.au
●Produced by Preston City Council Environmental Health Department●