Section 5.3 – Personal Protective Equipment, Exposure Prevention, and Emergency Response

Under OSHA’s general-industry PPE requirements, employers evaluate the workplace to determine whether hazards are present or likely to be present that require PPE. When PPE is required, the employer selects equipment that protects against the identified hazard, communicates the selection to affected employees, ensures proper fit, and provides training.

PPE should be safely designed, maintained in a clean and reliable condition, and fit the user. Employees must understand when PPE is necessary, what type is required, how to put it on and remove it, its limitations, and how to care for and dispose of it. Retraining is needed when workplace changes make earlier training obsolete or when an employee does not demonstrate proper use.

Control Level

Meaning

Salon Example

Elimination

Remove the hazard

Discontinue a product that causes uncontrolled exposure.

Substitution

Replace with a less hazardous option

Choose a lower-volatility or less sensitizing product when effective.

Engineering controls

Isolate the worker from the hazard

Use local exhaust ventilation at a nail table or mixing station.

Administrative/work-practice controls

Change how work is organized or performed

Keep containers closed, limit quantities, rotate tasks, train workers, and schedule maintenance.

PPE

Place a barrier on the worker

Use chemical-resistant gloves and splash goggles for a specific task.

The levels work together. A salon may substitute a safer product, improve ventilation, adopt closed-container procedures, and still require gloves. Relying only on PPE is weaker because the hazard remains in the workplace and protection depends on correct selection and consistent use.

A practical hazard assessment considers the body part at risk, the form of the hazard, the intensity and duration of exposure, and the task. The same product may require different protection during routine application, bulk mixing, spill cleanup, or waste handling.

1.         Identify the task and product.

2.         Review the label, SDS, manufacturer instructions, and workplace procedure.

3.         Determine the likely exposure route: skin, eye, inhalation, puncture, heat, impact, or slip hazard.

4.         Apply elimination, substitution, engineering, and work-practice controls.

5.         Select PPE for the remaining hazard and confirm fit and compatibility.

6.         Train the employee and observe correct use.

7.         Reassess when products, procedures, equipment, or symptoms change.

Gloves are commonly used for chemical services, cleaning, disinfection, blood exposure, and contaminated waste. The word “glove” does not describe a single level of protection. Materials differ in resistance to solvents, oxidizers, adhesives, disinfectants, and other chemicals. The SDS and manufacturer guidance should be consulted when selecting chemical-resistant gloves.

Glove Consideration

Professional Guidance

Material compatibility

Choose a material resistant to the specific product; thin exam gloves are not universally chemical resistant.

Task duration

Longer contact or immersion may require thicker or longer-cuff gloves.

Condition

Replace gloves that are torn, punctured, swollen, brittle, sticky, or contaminated.

Single use

Do not wash or reuse disposable gloves unless specifically designed and approved for reuse.

Removal

Remove without touching the contaminated exterior against bare skin or clothing.

Hand hygiene

Wash hands after removal and whenever contamination is suspected.

Allergy and dermatitis

Address employee skin reactions; do not ignore repeated redness, itching, or cracking.

Double gloving, using two different glove materials, or selecting a heavier glove may be appropriate for some cleanup tasks, but such choices should be based on reliable product information. Gloves should not be worn around rotating equipment when they create an entanglement hazard.

Eye protection may be required when chemicals can splash, spray, or create irritating particles. Safety glasses with side protection help with impact hazards but may not seal against liquid splashes. Chemical splash goggles provide more complete protection around the eyes. A face shield protects the face from splash or flying material but generally does not replace goggles when eye protection is required.

• Use splash goggles when mixing or transferring products that can seriously irritate or damage the eyes.
• Use face protection in addition to goggles when a larger splash is reasonably possible.
• Keep protective eyewear clean, undamaged, and accessible near the task.
• Do not rely on ordinary prescription glasses as chemical splash protection.
• Know the location and operation of eyewash facilities or immediate flushing supplies appropriate to the hazard.

Aprons, smocks, sleeves, and other protective clothing reduce contamination of skin and personal clothing. Material selection should reflect the product. A fabric apron may absorb a liquid and hold it against the body, while a chemical-resistant apron may provide better protection for mixing or cleanup.

Closed-toe, stable, slip-resistant footwear helps reduce injuries from dropped tools, spills, and wet floors. Footwear does not replace housekeeping. Floors should still be maintained clean and, to the extent feasible, dry, and walking-working surfaces should be kept free of hazards.

A loose-fitting face mask may help control droplets or nuisance debris but does not provide reliable protection against chemical vapors. An N95 filtering facepiece is designed for certain airborne particles, not gases or vapors. Cartridge respirators require correct cartridge selection, fit testing, medical evaluation, training, maintenance, and a written respiratory-protection program when OSHA requires respirator use.

• Keep containers closed except when dispensing.
• Use the smallest practical quantity at the workstation.
• Dispense powders close to the mixing bowl to reduce airborne dust.
• Use local exhaust ventilation where contaminants are generated.
• Avoid unauthorized mixtures and follow product timing and dilution directions.
• Wash exposed skin promptly and change contaminated clothing.
• Keep food, beverages, and cosmetics out of chemical work areas.
• Report symptoms early and document the product and task involved.

Cosmetology professionals may encounter blood through nicks, cuts, punctures, or contact with broken skin. Standard precautions require blood to be treated as potentially infectious. The service should stop, direct contact should be avoided, gloves should be used, contaminated items should be isolated, and cleaning and disinfection procedures should be followed.

8.         Stop the service safely and protect the client and worker.

9.         Put on appropriate disposable gloves before handling blood or contaminated materials.

10.    Provide first-aid materials within salon policy and professional scope.

11.    Remove contaminated single-use items and isolate reusable implements.

12.    Clean and disinfect affected surfaces and reusable implements according to applicable procedures.

13.    Remove gloves safely and perform hand hygiene.

14.    Report and document the incident; obtain medical evaluation when exposure criteria or symptoms warrant it.

Whether OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard applies depends on whether occupational exposure is reasonably anticipated and on the employment relationship and tasks. A salon should not assume that the standard never applies; it should evaluate actual duties and obtain qualified guidance when exposure is foreseeable.

Electrical equipment in salons includes dryers, irons, clippers, lamps, wax heaters, facial devices, chargers, extension cords, and power strips. Water, damaged insulation, overloaded circuits, and heat increase risk. Equipment should be inspected before use and removed from service when plugs, cords, housings, switches, or grounding features are damaged.

• Keep electrical equipment away from sinks, wet counters, and standing water.
• Do not use extension cords as permanent wiring.
• Do not daisy-chain power strips or overload outlets.
• Unplug equipment before cleaning or servicing when safe procedure requires it.
• Do not pull a plug by the cord.
• Report warm outlets, sparks, shocks, burning odors, tripped breakers, or flickering equipment immediately.
• Use ground-fault protection where required and follow manufacturer instructions.

Aerosols, alcohol-based products, solvents, adhesives, and some nail products can ignite when vapors reach a spark, flame, hot surface, or other ignition source. Storage and use should follow label and SDS instructions. Bulk quantities should be limited to what the workplace can store safely.

• Keep ignition sources away from flammable-product use and storage.
• Maintain clear access to exits, fire extinguishers, electrical panels, and alarms.
• Control accumulations of combustible waste such as paper, packaging, and solvent-contaminated materials.
• Know who is authorized to use an extinguisher and when evacuation is the safer choice.
• Never block an exit temporarily with deliveries, chairs, boxes, or displays.

Walking-working surfaces should be maintained clean, orderly, and free of hazards. Water, hair clippings, product spills, loose cords, opened drawers, boxes, uneven mats, and poorly placed equipment can cause immediate injury. The safest response is prompt correction and warning of others until the hazard is removed.

Hazard

Immediate Control

Long-Term Prevention

Wet floor

Block the area and dry it promptly

Repair leaks, improve drainage, use appropriate mats, and assign cleanup responsibility.

Hair clippings

Sweep before they spread

Use between-client floor checks.

Extension cord

Reroute or remove it

Install adequate outlets and avoid temporary wiring as a routine practice.

Open drawer or cabinet

Close it immediately

Arrange storage so frequent-use items do not obstruct walkways.

Loose mat

Remove or secure it

Select stable, slip-resistant mats and inspect them regularly.

Prolonged standing, repetitive filing, sustained shoulder elevation, bent wrists, neck flexion, awkward reaching, and poorly adjusted chairs can contribute to discomfort and injury. Ergonomic controls reduce the amount of force, repetition, and awkward posture required for the task.

• Adjust client and operator chairs so shoulders remain relaxed and wrists are closer to neutral.
• Move the client or equipment instead of twisting the worker’s body.
• Use sharp, well-maintained tools that require less force.
• Alternate tasks and take brief recovery pauses when possible.
• Use anti-fatigue support where appropriate without creating a trip hazard.
• Report persistent pain, numbness, weakness, or loss of grip early.

An emergency action plan describes what employees should do during fires, chemical releases, severe weather, violence, medical emergencies, or other events. OSHA’s general-industry rule requires a written plan when a standard requires one, although employers with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally. A written plan is still often the stronger management practice.

Minimum Planning Element

Salon Application

Reporting emergencies

Who calls 911, activates an alarm, or notifies building management.

Evacuation procedures and routes

Primary and alternate exits; assistance for clients with mobility needs.

Critical operations

Who may safely shut down heat, electricity, or chemical processes before leaving.

Employee accounting

Where staff meet and who confirms everyone is out.

Rescue or medical duties

Only trained and assigned persons perform designated duties.

Contacts

Names or job titles of people who can explain the plan.

Employees should know the plan before an emergency. Exits must remain free and unobstructed. Drills and periodic reviews help identify blocked routes, unclear responsibilities, missing contact information, and employees who need assistance.

15.    Recognize the spill and stop the source only if it can be done safely.

16.    Keep clients and unprotected employees away.

17.    Identify the product and consult the SDS.

18.    Eliminate ignition sources when the product is flammable and it is safe to do so.

19.    Use the required PPE and spill materials.

20.    Contain and clean only within the employee’s training and the salon’s response capability.

21.    Ventilate as directed and prevent incompatible cleanup chemicals from being used.

22.    Dispose of waste according to product and regulatory guidance.

23.    Document the event and restock the spill kit.

A spill becomes an emergency when it cannot be controlled safely with available training and equipment, creates significant vapor, fire, or health danger, involves an unknown chemical, or requires specialized respiratory protection. In that situation, evacuate or isolate the area and call qualified assistance.

Prompt reporting allows the employer to correct hazards before another person is injured. Reports should include facts: date and time, location, task, product or equipment, people involved, symptoms or injury, immediate action, witnesses, and corrective measures. Avoid blame, unsupported diagnosis, or speculation.

• Chemical splashes, inhalation symptoms, skin reactions, and spills;
• Cuts, punctures, blood exposure, and contaminated-tool incidents;
• Electrical shocks, sparks, overheating, or equipment failure;
• Falls, near falls, and recurring housekeeping hazards;
• Fire, smoke, blocked exits, or extinguisher problems;
• PPE failure, missing supplies, or repeated improper use;
• Any near miss that reveals a condition capable of causing harm.

Scenario 1: Wrong Gloves for Solvent Cleanup

An employee uses thin disposable gloves to clean a large acetone spill. The gloves soften and become sticky.

Appropriate response: Stop the cleanup, remove the gloves safely, wash hands, review the SDS, and select compatible chemical-resistant gloves. Evaluate whether the spill exceeds salon response capability.

Scenario 2: Splash Goggles Not Available

A worker must dilute a concentrated disinfectant labeled as causing serious eye damage, but only ordinary eyeglasses are available.

Appropriate response: Do not proceed until the required splash protection is available. Prescription glasses are not a substitute for chemical splash goggles.

Scenario 3: Damaged Flat Iron Cord

A flat iron cord has exposed insulation near the handle but still heats.

Appropriate response: Unplug and remove the tool from service, label it, and arrange repair or replacement. Continued use creates shock and fire risk.

Scenario 4: Blocked Exit During Delivery

Cases of retail product are placed in the rear exit route for “only an hour.”

Appropriate response: Move them immediately. Exit routes must remain free and unobstructed, even during temporary deliveries.

Scenario 5: Repeated Wrist Numbness

A nail technician reports nighttime numbness and hand weakness after months of repetitive filing.

Appropriate response: Report the symptoms and evaluate workstation height, grip force, tool condition, task rotation, and medical guidance. Early correction may prevent worsening injury.

Scenario 6: Unknown Strong Vapor

Employees notice sudden strong vapor and eye irritation near the dispensary, but no visible spill is found.

Appropriate response: Stop work in the area, move people to fresh air, identify the source without unsafe entry, consult SDS information, and obtain emergency assistance if the release cannot be safely controlled.

• Select PPE from the hazard assessment, label, SDS, and task—not from habit.
• Use goggles for splash hazards; a face shield generally supplements rather than replaces eye protection.
• Do not rely on a dust mask for chemical vapors.
• Correct slips, cords, damaged equipment, and blocked exits immediately.
• Keep emergency plans practical and rehearse them.
• Report symptoms, incidents, and near misses early.
• Replace used emergency supplies and damaged PPE promptly.
• Reassess controls whenever a product, service, device, or workspace changes.

Personal protective equipment is the final layer of hazard control. Employers must evaluate hazards, select appropriate PPE, ensure fit and availability, and train employees. Workers must use equipment correctly, understand its limits, maintain it, and report problems.

Gloves, goggles, face protection, protective clothing, and footwear must match the task. Respiratory protection requires special care because common masks do not protect against many chemical vapors and required respirator use may trigger a formal OSHA program. Ventilation and source control remain essential.

Exposure prevention also includes blood precautions, electrical safety, fire prevention, housekeeping, ergonomics, emergency planning, spill response, and incident reporting. A safe salon does not wait for an injury. It recognizes conditions early, controls them, and learns from near misses.

Professional safety is demonstrated in ordinary choices: selecting the correct glove, refusing to use damaged equipment, keeping exits clear, adjusting a workstation, isolating a spill, and reporting symptoms before they become serious. These actions protect employees and clients while supporting the quality and credibility of the salon.

PPE is most effective when it is part of a complete system. The strongest workplace combines safer products, effective ventilation, organized procedures, training, emergency readiness, and protective equipment selected for the remaining hazard. Every cosmetology professional contributes to that system.