Radiation hazards

Workers may be exposed to various forms of non-ionising radiation. These include:

Type of Radiation	Source	Health Effects
Ultraviolet radiation	UV tanning equipment (sun lamps, beds and tanning booths) gel lights used by nail technicians	short term - sunburn, conjunctivitis long term - premature skin aging, skin cancer and cataracts
Infra-red radiation	infra-red heat lamps used in deep heat treatments infra-red hair dryers	burns to skin and eye tissue
Lasers	beauty industry treatments such as skin exfoliation and hair removal	skin damage eye damage, including blindness
Ultrasound	beauty industry heat treatment and skin exfoliation	overheating and burning of body tissue

Control measures

Install special cubicles to carry out UV and laser treatments to prevent accidental exposure to radiation. If this is not possible:
- install screens around tanning equipment that either do not transmit light or comply with Australian Standards
- consult the supplier of laser equipment about the construction of screens capable of stopping the laser beam.
Provide workers with instruction and training on the health effects associated with radiation exposure and the safe use of equipment.
Make sure workers use equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Make sure workers display signs warning other persons that radiation-emitting equipment is in use.
Make sure workers do not exceed the recommended times for treatments.
Make sure workers and clients wear goggles that meet Australian Standards at all times UV and laser equipment is in use.
For laser treatments, remove or cover all items with smooth reflecting surfaces, such as mirrors, bottles, polished metal and jewellery, with matt black paper or cloth.
Make sure the light in the laser work area is as bright as possible to constrict the diameter of the pupil of the eye and reduce the risk of damage to the retina.

Important information about lasers

The most common injury caused by lasers is immediate, permanent damage to sight. Burns to the retina can result in partial or total loss of vision in the injured eye.

Because of the high risk of severe injury, beauty technicians should carefully consider whether they want to offer laser treatments. The risk of laser burns to the eye can be minimised by the following:

Choose the lowest power laser that will do the job.
Appoint a laser safety officer if lasers higher than Class 3A are used. The laser safety officer should design a safe system of use to prevent the accidental exposure of the eye to lasers, and train and supervise laser operators.
Lasers higher than Class 3A must only be used in specially constructed areas with interlocking doors so that the laser beam shuts off when the door is opened.
There is no justification for the use of Class 4 lasers in beauty therapy. These lasers are powerful enough to cause retinal damage in microseconds from reflected and direct exposure. They can also cause skin burns and fires.

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