Manual tasks

The manual tasks performed in the hairdressing, nail and beauty industry can be physically demanding and are responsible for the majority of musculoskeletal disorders. Disorders can include lower back pain, neck and shoulder pain, tendonitis of the shoulder or wrist, leg discomfort and carpal tunnel syndrome.

How do manual task injuries occur?

Injuries from manual tasks result from ongoing wear and tear to the joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and discs. Although uncommon, injuries can be caused by a one-off overload situation.

Over a period of time, damage can gradually build up through:

holding fixed positions for a prolonged time
performing repetitive movements that are fast and/or involve a lot of muscular effort

If insufficient breaks are taken, muscle fatigue can lead to inflammation and tissue damage.
Injury is more likely to occur when this happens repeatedly.

What are the risk factors?

Risk factors are part of the demands of a job that affect the worker and can contribute to injury.
These are set out in the table below.

Common manual task risk factors in the hairdressing, nail and beauty industry

Risk Factor	Contribution to Injury	Examples of Work Problems
Working postures	Awkward postures require greater muscular effort and lead to greater fatigue, particularly when holding a position for a long time. Awkward postures occur when joints are working away from the normal position.	back bent or twisted, e.g. washing hair neck bent forward or twisted, e.g. applying colour shoulders raised upper arms held out to the sides and away from the body, e.g. massage, cutting hair wrist bent or twisted, e.g. setting rollers, stabilising hand when filing nails
Repetition and duration	Continually repeating a movement, particularly with a forceful exertion, increases the risk of injury. Long durations of awkward postures or repetitive work are also a risk.	rolling hair applying colour filing nails prolonged sitting or standing prolonged bending or leaning, e.g. electrolysis.
Work area design	The work area design and layout may require workers to bend or reach to perform tasks.	equipment and materials not located close to the worker causing workers to bend, reach or twist non-adjustable chairs and benches work surfaces too high or too low poor lighting hard, slippery floors work surfaces too wide or narrow leaning or supporting elbows or arms on work surfaces
Use of tools	Poor design and excessive use of hand tools contributes to disorders of the wrist, elbow and shoulder.	working with heavy tools difficult or awkward hand grips vibrating tools eg. electric nail files and drills
Load handling	Supporting a weight while holding arms away from the body increases stress to the back and shoulders.	working with heavy tools eg. holding a blow dryer away from the body holding a body part while waxing carrying heavy boxes of product to storage
Individual factors	For new, young, older, pregnant and inexperienced workers, the risk of injury is increased. The type of clothes people wear can also have an impact.	lack of training in specific tasks no period of physical adjustment provided wearing shoes with an elevated heel
Work organisation	Continuous work of a similar nature, poor equipment maintenance and inadequate rest breaks can result in fatigue and lead to injury.	too little task variation inadequate rest breaks insufficient staff to cope with peak periods

Conducting a risk assessment for manual tasks is slightly different to the standard risk assessment process outlined in this guide. Appendix 5 outlines the process on how to do a risk assessment for manual tasks.

Appendix 5 also outlines combined risk assessments for five problem tasks for hairdressing. Control solutions in a control plan are provided.

Control measures

Design controls

Redesign the work area

Provide adequate lighting for the task to decrease bending of the back or neck.
Make sure there is enough room for easy movement around furniture and work areas.
Provide non-slip surfaces that are comfortable for standing, e.g. cork.
Provide adjustable styling chairs and stools to avoid working with arms above shoulder height or constantly bending head forward.
Provide adjustable tables/benches/massage couches.
Place required work items within reach and close to waist height.
Provide trolleys with castors to reduce carrying.
Provide padding on table for nail work to protect elbows and underside of arms from nerve damage, e.g. a towel.
Make sure the work surface for nail work is wide enough so that you do not bump knees with your client or have to stretch to reach client's hands.
Provide access to chairs in lunchroom or office so workers can rest from prolonged standing.

Select well designed tools

Discuss the selection and purchase of new tools and equipment with staff prior to purchase.
Make sure that tools such as blow dryers are as light as possible.
Provide scissors with bent shaped handles that keep your wrists straight and do not dig into the hand.

Redesign work methods

Work as close as possible to the client to reduce bending and reaching.

Administrative controls

Make sure workers alternate tasks so that different muscles are used, e.g. recover from cutting hair by folding towels, sweeping floors or reception duties, variation in artificial nail filing techniques.
Manage the number of bookings per worker, particularly those involving demanding tasks, e.g. highlighting hair.
Make sure workers take short breaks frequently to give wrists, shoulders or back a rest.
Make sure workers alternate between sitting and standing when performing tasks such as cutting or drying hair, waxing, facials.
Make sure all tools are maintained so they do not need extra effort to use.
Train workers to do tasks so that problem working postures are avoided or kept to a minimum.

Personal Protective Equipment

Wear footwear with low heels and shock absorbing soles or inserts.

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