Reopening: Back to work checklist

Are you ready for the return to work? Scroll down for our checklist to help prep you and your business for reopening.

Treatments offered by nail & beauty professionals are classed as ‘close-contact services’ and foster specific government guidelines that must be followed to ensure safe working practice.

You have a legal responsibility to protect workers and others from risks to their health & safety while at your premises, and this includes Covid-19. Failure to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and put in place sufficient control measures to manage the risk may be considered a breach of health & safety law.

You should read the guidance that applies your country and ensure you are working in a safe and compliant manner when able to reopen.

Guidance can be found here:

• England
• Wales
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland.

Professionals working on a mobile basis and entering the homes of others should follow the guidance for close-contact services as well as advice for working in other’s homes. These guidelines cover the additional measures you may need to consider.

Check it! 

• Complete a Covid-19 risk assessment. Use this information to highlight control measures and implement necessary changes. Share the assessment with your staff so they are aware and can answer any questions clients may have.
• Increase cleaning. Equipment, surfaces and touch points should be frequently cleaned. Cleaning must take place between appointments. Encourage the frequent use of hand sanitiser and hand washing. Staff should be trained in cleaning protocols.
• Face coverings should be worn by staff and clients. Some exemptions apply.
• Implement social distancing. Review your business’ layouts and processes to maintain social distancing. Avoid overlapping appointments. Utilise screens to create a physical barrier between workstations, where practical. Use signs, floor tape and one-way systems.
• Consider your ventilation. Ensure services take place in well-ventilated rooms. Read the Health & Safety Executive advice on air conditioning and ventilation.
• Support your country’s tracking system. Record client information and contact details. Staff shift times should also be kept on record.
• Check for symptoms. Client should not attend their appointment and staff should not come to work if they are exhibiting the symptoms of coronavirus or if they are waiting for the result of a test.
• Stock up. List & purchase the cleaning, hygiene and disposable products you will need. This could include PPE, disinfectants, sanitisers, hand washing products, clothes washing products for uniforms and waste storage.
• Use disposable items where possible. Non-disposable items should be cleaned and disinfected or sterilised between clients. Minimise equipment sharing for staff where possible.
• Invest in a contactless payment system. This helps minimise contact and the handling of cash.