Simon McAndrew

1 Introduction

• This update replaces Covid Risk Assessment v1.0. Thanks to some great feedback this version is a little more concise, the structure of the five sections remains the same

2 Comparison with a salon

• In contrast to a salon, I work with a very small kit which I am able to entirely disinfect with surgical visiting before and after each client.
• Being a cyclist, I do not travel on public transport which minimizes my exposure.
• As you do not need to make the journey to the salon you also minimize your exposure.
• Visiting clients one at a time allows me to be able to track and trace much more precisely, whereas in a salon you are mixing with a large number of other people.

3 What I’ll do

• As mentioned, I’ll arrive by bicycle which minimizes the contact I have compared to using taxis/public transport.
• Wear a face covering by default and other PPE at your request while I am with you to minimize our exposure to one another.
• Leave my coat, bag, etc. at the door and bring only a very small kit which I sanitize between clients, consisting of:
  • Scissors
  • Comb
  • Water Spray
  • 2 Metal Hairclips
  • Surgical Spirit Spray
  • Nylon Gown
  • Manual Clippers (optional)
• Follow up after 7 and 14 days asking that you confirm that nobody in your household has developed symptoms.
• I will NOT use gloves because I need to be able to sense the hair’s tension with my skin, to be able to cut it properly however I will wash my hands immediately before and after cutting your hair.
• I will NOT use
  • Brushes
  • Razor
  • Hairdryer
  • Any other equipment
  • unless we explicitly agree beforehand, on an individual basis, during our consultation.

4 What I’ll ask of you

• That you read this risk assessment (thank you for making it this far!)
• That we book a virtual consultation in advance, via email, chat, telephone, video call, or in combination.
• Confirm there is nobody in the household who is isolating or has been advised to shield.
• Give us exclusive use of the room where we cut your hair.
• Wear a mask during my visit however, there will be times when I’ll need you to remove it.
• I’ll ask you do NOT to offer me any food or drink. But thanks though!!

5 Conclusion

• Thank you for reading this rather dull part of my website!  Thanks also for the feedback from version 1.0 which I’ve incorporated in v2.0. Let’s hope there’s no need for a version 3, but, please do leave a comment below if you have feedback you’d like to share.

1 Introduction
2 Comparison with a traditional salon.
3 What I’ll do
4 What I’ll ask of you
5 Conclusion

1 Introduction

1. 1. If I was my client, I’d like to know what I’m doing in response to the pandemic. According to Working safely during COVID-19 in other people’s homes, because I am a sole trader I don’t have to write anything down as part of my risk assessment. None-the-less I have begun this assessment process and I’d like us to consider it before your booking. By thinking through how each visit is likely to take place, I have begun to identify appropriate practical and etiquette adjustments I can make in response to controlling the risk posed by the pandemic. I feel I have been cautious by going into this level of detail but perhaps you feel I could go further (eg. I could wear gloves). This is why I am keen to get your feedback and keep it updated for as long as it takes us to get familiar with what the longer term implications of COVID-19 are.
   2. Working for myself as a freelance independent hairstylist gives me a great deal of flexibility in who’s advice I take. I have focused on the government advice documents (below) because I have been dismayed at the commercial opportunism of official industry bodies having read through their various back-to-work guidance documents. No doubt this isn’t unique to the hairdressing industry.
   3. The opportunity to return to work refocused on the fragility of our environment is being missed and instead increased disposable waste and unnecessary gadgets and gizmos are being promoted. Gadgets, gizmos and waste which create a false sense of security and which in turn – I fear – will see basic measures slip. This poses significant short and long term risk, but those are somewhat out of the remit of my assessment here. I too am subject to them, for example I have decided to use paper gowns.
   4. At present my assessment is split into five sections. Whether you have special adjustments you’d like me to make or other comments or suggestions on any of this, I would very much appreciate your feedback via a private message or ideally in the comments section.

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2 Comparison with a traditional salon

1. 1. With a traditional setup, multiple clients come to visit a salon where there are multiple workers. As illustrated by the black lines the increased risk of infection is clear.
   2. The way in which I work with a very small kit and visiting one client at time allows me to disinfect all my equipment thoroughly between clients.
   3. Being a cyclist, I do not travel on public transport and as I visit you, you don’t need to either.
   4. Furthermore visiting one client at a time and following up means that in the event of infection at any point, we will know exactly who else needs to be alerted.