Hair Salon Portland

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, I will be following strict guidelines in order to protect the safety of my clients and coworkers (No official recommendations from Oregon yet).  The recommendations should be used in conjunction with the board rules for safety and sanitation that are currently in place. Keep in mind that these guidelines will be in effect during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic and may be adjusted as necessary, and they will be reduced when safe to do so. Salon/shop owners and managers should use the OSHA “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” as a guide for reopening. 

Below you will find perameters set by other states that are allowing salons to reopen.  The bold text highlights my thoughts on implemtation. 

Safety Guidelines for reopening Barber and Cosmetology Salons

• Temperature checks -Salons should consider use of a touchless infrared thermometer to check the temperature of employee each day and of each client who enters the salon/shop. Any coworker or client who has a temperature above 99°F should be sent home immediately and not allowed to return to the salon/shop until they have no fever and no evidence of COVID-19 symptoms.  (if mandated we are in possession of said touchless infrared thermometer)

• Ask each client entering the shop the following questions: Have you had a cough?  Have you had a fever, Have you been around anyone exhibiting these symptoms within the past 14 days?  Are you living with anyone who is sick or quarantined? (Please ask these questions of yourself prior to your appointment and keep these questions in the back of your mind in all areas of your daily life.  We will be prepared to administer services in a safe way and keep our droplets in check). 

• Limit people in the shop/salon – Salons/shops should consider seeing clients by appointment only. Salons/shops should consider telephonic or online scheduling. Limit the number of persons waiting area in the salon/shop. It is recommended that clients wait outside the salon/shop in their vehicle until the cosmetologist or barber is ready to serve them. It is recommended that persons not being serviced in the salon/shop wait outside the salon/shop. Salons/shops are not be used for social gathering places! (Luckily we are a small salon and have ample room to negotiate social distancing, especially after last years remodel.  We are family friendly to some extent but can no longer accommodate kids that are unable to entertain themselves OUTSIDE the salon).  We have a 4 chair salon, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursdays are our busiest days, my wife and I are the only ones in the salon on Saturday for those that prefer a more quiet/safe environment).

• Maintain social distancing at all times! Spacing between persons in the salon should be at least six feet, except when staff are servicing clients. Salons/shops should consider additional spacing between booths, divider shields, and/or alternate work schedules to accomplish this. (Easily accomplished)

• Personal Protective Gear-  Wearing masks – Salon/shop employees will be required to wear masks at all times. Salons may want to consider providing masks to clients. Clients should wear face masks to the extent possible while receiving services.  Gloves – It is recommended that employees wear disposable gloves when servicing clients and change gloves between each client to the greatest extent possible. Capes - Each client should be draped with a clean cape. Capes should be laundered following the fabric recommendations between each client, or salons/shops may consider using disposable capes and dispose of the cape after it is used. Smocks -Employees should wear a clean smock between each client. Smocks should be laundered following the fabric recommendations between each client, or salons/shops may consider using disposable smocks and dispose of the smock after use on a client.  (We have commissioned a seamstress to fashion some washable masks that use double sided tape to adhere to the cheeks.  My wife has gotten reacquainted with her inner sewer so we are in abundance of stylish masks to keep us and you safe.  We have always washed each cape and smock after each use).

• Hand-washing with soapy, warm water, for a minimum of 20 seconds will be required by employees between every client service.  Employee clothing – Employees should arrive at the salon/shop showered and wearing clean clothing. Employees should change clothes before entering their homes when they return from work. PPG, such as gloves, gowns, drapes, linens and eye coverings should be changed between each client. These used items should be cleaned and disinfected or discarded in a closed container. (The hand washing is most important and keeping hands off face.  We are procuring a surplus of supplies to up our sanitation game and had implemented these pre closure).

• Disinfection –  All salons/shops should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to reopening. Disinfect all surfaces, tools, and linens, even if they were cleaned before the salon/shop was closed.  Use disinfectants that are EPA –registered and labeled as bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal. No product will be labeled for COVID-19 yet, but many will have human coronavirus efficacy either on the label or available on their website. The EPA has approved any product that has tested as effective against human coronavirus. If in doubt of the effectiveness, check the EPA website. Disinfectant for immersion of tools, must be mixed daily and replaced sooner if it becomes contaminated throughout the work day. Disinfectant only works on a clean surface so clean all surfaces and tools with hot soapy water, Ship-shape or cleaning wipes (if using wipes, be sure to cover surface thoroughly) before disinfecting.  Contact time on label must be observed for disinfectant to work. Contact time refers to how long the disinfectant is visibly wet on the surface allowing it to thoroughly destroy all of the pathogens. Typical contact time for immersion/sprays is 10 minutes, for disinfectant wipes is 2-4 minutes.  Disinfectants used for immersion must be changed daily or sooner if it becomes contaminated (ex: hair/debris floating in solution or cloudy solution.)  Disinfection is for hard non-porous surfaces, glass metal and plastic.  Porous/soft surfaces can not be disinfected and must only be used once and then discarded (tools such as cardboard files, buffers, drill bits etc.)  Launder all linens, towels drapes, and smocks in hot soapy water and dry completely at the warmest temperature allowed and store in an airtight cabinet. Store all used/dirty linens in an airtight container.  The use of mask is mandatory. Place a clean towel, placed over the face of your client while at the sink in a good way to protect their mouth, nose and eyes. Minimize to the greatest degree possible, up-close, direct face-to-face contact with clients.  (This is standard practice sans the towel over the face at shampoo bowl… easy to implement).

• Reception area -  Remove all unnecessary items such as magazines, newspapers, service menus, any other unnecessary paper products and decor. Wipe down all seats and tables; cloth chairs cannot be properly cleaned and disinfected, using a plastic cover should be considered.  Wipe reception desk with disinfectant. Consider discontinuing use of paper appointment books or cards, and replace with electronic options. (All in salon magazines will have to resume post Covid, we invite you to bring your own reading materials however).

• Employees should frequently wash their hands after the using the phones, computer, cash register and/or credit card machine. Wipe these surfaces between each use.  Clean and disinfect all retail areas, daily, including products. Try to avoid client touching products that they don’t plan to purchase.  Clean and wipe all door handles and other surfaces that are regularly touched by clients and staff with disinfectant wipes.  Provide hand sanitizer and tissues for employees and clients.  Consider floor stickers and signage that provide guidance for social distance  Placement of visible and appropriate signage to communicate to the customer that thorough sanitation procedures are in place.  (We have a shipment of hand sanitizer, yippee!).

• Restrooms -  Clean and disinfect ALL restroom surfaces including floors, sinks and toilet bowls. Store paper products in a closed cabinet and provide antibacterial hand soap. Place trashcan by door. Remove anything that does not have to be in the restrooms.  (We will have a smock waiting for you at your chair).

• Shampoo Bowls-  Clean and disinfect all bowls, hoses, spray nozzles, foist handles, shampoo chairs and arm rests. Wipe down all back-bar products and shelves. Discard and replace any products that have not been stored in a closed container.  If available, wrap shampoo bowls in plastic and discarded between each client. Consider asking clients to wash their own hair before entering the salon/shop.  Limit as much as possible face-to-face contact with clients, and consider using face-shields by those employees providing shampoo services.  (I think by placing a clean towel over the face of the client while we have a mask on performing the shampoo, will suffice).

• Work stations- Clean and disinfect all work area surfaces. Clean and disinfect chairs, head rest, arm rests (the use of harsh disinfectants can damage leather chair, and cloth chairs cannot be disinfected, so please use a plastic covering). Clean and disinfect all reusable tools and store in an airtight closed container. Clean and disinfect all appliances, sheers, clippers, clipper guards, clippies, rollers, combs, brushes, rolling carts and any other items used in connection with servicing clients.  Check to make sure all products such as lotions, creams, waxes and scrubs have always been in a closed container, if not you must discard and replace.  Remove and discard all single use tools such as paper files, drill bits and buffers, that have already been used.  Clean and disinfect all linen hampers and trash container and only use such container that can be closed and use with liners that can be removed and discarded. Provide hand sanitizer at all work locations for employees and clients.  Consider station barriers between work stations. (Again, we are lucky that our stations are in a back-to-back configuration and not side-by-side).

• Administrative Controls-  Employees who are sick will be expected to stay home. Salon/shop owner/managers should provide training, educational materials, and reinforcement on proper sanitation, hand-washing, cough and sneeze etiquette, using PPE, and other protective behaviors.  Ensure break-rooms are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized and not used for congregating by employees.  Ensure that all sinks in the workplace have antibacterial soap available and paper towels.  Post handwashing signs in the restrooms.  Provide alcohol wipes for use at phone stations.  Be flexible with work schedules/salon hours to reduce the numbers of people (employees and clients) in salons/shops at all times in order to maintain social distancing.  Provide Barbicide® or EPA disinfectant wipes, liquid disinfectant containers, and Barbicide® concentrate/or EPA approved disinfectant for disinfecting technical implements and work areas. Consider discontinuing hand relief treatments as well as scalp, neck, and shoulder massages during the COVID-19 pandemic. (We will be doing a split shift to keep the amount of bodies to a minimum until the pandemic is under control).