Thursday, Jul 21, 2016

Dubai: A new health and safety certificate has been made mandatory for salon workers in Dubai.

The Dubai Municipality on Thursday announced that all workers of salons and personal care centres for men and women are required to undergo training and receive certificates from the Department of Public Health and Safety. “This will enable them to provide services in a healthy and safe manner in order to help the community maintain its health and limit the transmission of contagious diseases to clients and workers alike,” the civic body said in press release.

It also announced that the department has started registering these employees for training sessions on safety and health requirements beginning in September 2016.

Marwan Abdullah Al Mohammad, Director of the department, said that the decision was an outcome of the annual meeting of owners of salons and personal care centres held in December 2015 during which the latter emphasised the need for the Dubai Municipality to train and qualify their workers and grant them the related certificates.

He said the department approved the issuance of new licenses for 608 salons and personal care centre from 2015 until the end of May 2016. There are currently around 3,330 such facilities across Dubai.

Inspections and studies by the municipality revealed that their workers lack knowledge on required health and safety measures, Al Mohammad noted.

“Based on this gap, it was decided that all personnel of salon and personal care centres for men and women be required to undergo training and receive certificates.”

The programme covers training on the best health and safety practices. It includes methods for preventing the transmission of contagious diseases to clients; the proper way to sterilise and handle tools, equipment, and devices; the proper handling of single-use tools; and the best standards for workplace cleanliness and ventilation.

The department is taking into consideration the educational, cultural, and intellectual differences between the workers. It will also follow up with them on the time and place for training sessions.

Al Mohammad noted that programme will help limit the transmission of contagious diseases among clients and workers and improve the level of implementation of health and safety regulations recommended by the department.

“The training programme will positively impact the profitability of the businesses involved, as it will boost the confidence of clients and increase demand for their services.”

He stated that undergoing the programme will also reduce inspections and client notices and prevent violations and unhealthy practices.

Staff Report

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