Vejam chamadas sobre trabalhos em saloes de beleza e manicures.
Destaque no mundo todo
PB
Nail salons put workers at risk
Two articles this week have highlighted the dangerous and toxic environments nail salon workers are exposed to. The Australian article, in the online journal The New Daily, states that, according to 'experts': "Nail salons in Australia are poorly regulated and workers are being exposed to serious health risks from the toxic chemicals used on customers."
In fact, the problem is not that they are 'poorly regulated' but rather that salon owners and employers are not complying with occupational health and safety laws which mandate the identification of hazards – and the subsequent elimination or minimisation of these hazards. Our regulations also require that workplaces implement specific controls when hazardous substances are used, that these be properly labelled and that workers who may be exposed are provided with information and training, and that their health be monitored. With some substances, the employer should also be monitoring the exposure levels and the level of contamination in the air.
The second article, in The New York Times, recounts the stories of particular workers who whose exposure may have contributed to devastating outcomes, such as miscarriages. Both articles identify the so-called 'Toxic Trio' used in salons: formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate and toluene are known to cause birth defects, cancer and respiratory problems. All three are classified as 'hazardous' in Australia, and are therefore subject to regulation. Sadly, few salon workers are union members: so few of them know what their rights are in terms of ohs protections.
Read more: The price of beauty: the dark side of nail salons The New Daily; Perfect Nails, Poisoned Workers The New York Times; and hazard information on Formaldehyde and 4.1 Hazardous Substances Regulations
- Efetue login ou registre-se para postar comentários
