Hairdresser didn’t have a mask/visor

[Summerdays2014]

Hi,

I took my 4 year old to have his hair cut tonight. We went after I’d finished work/he’d finished nursery and there was no queue so straight in, 2 people already in the chairs. I had a mask for my son to wear but he was only holding it over his mouth and it only lasted about 5 minutes as it got hair in it and was uncomfortable for him. My husband asked if all the hairdressers had masks/visors on... but they didn’t. I’m now so worried and feel so guilty. I should have known, I did know, they were meant to have PPE but it just didn’t register at the time. I’m scared I’ve put us at risk and we’ve been so carful - not even seen my parents as I know my son won’t be able to keep away from them.

i would report it they cant all be exempt from wearing masks

Mine has no waiting in the shop and has asked me to bring a mask. Plus isolated their staff into teams working on separate days.

Not yet had my appointment but am expecting sanitizer everywhere and staff in masks.

If surgeons can carry out an operation with a mask on, I think a hairdresser can do a hair cut with one on.

I went to hairdresser today after 10 months
It was same as before lockdown.
Same amount of chairs.
Hair blowing all of them.
About 8 clients at same time.
I was shocked.
No masks. Nothing.

This makes me so angry. I'm very overly sensitive tonight... but I have stocked up on PPE and have been ready to reopen my lash and brow salon since June. But today we have all been told that part of the beauty industry is still not allowed to open.

And then you've got people like this taking the fucking piss. I'm angry, but probably for the wrong reasons.

YANBU.

I wouldn’t be concerned personally from a health perspective as the individual risk for that encounter is small, but I would be concerned that this lax attitude becomes prevalent and we risk ending up like the USA - not immediately, but in the weeks ahead.

Why would we invite that upon us as a country - our business and health has suffered enough without risking more! It’s stupid and reckless.

I’m not clear who this would be reported to? Trading Standards? The HSE?

I don't think you should be worried at all. Risk is minimal.

A four year old child should not be wearing a mask by the way.

@amijustparanoidorjuststoned I thought beauty salons could open from this Monday?

I'd get over it tbh. Nothing will happen. nasty "reporting" culture developing in the UK.

@amijustparanoidorjuststoned

This makes me so angry. I'm very overly sensitive tonight... but I have stocked up on PPE and have been ready to reopen my lash and brow salon since June. But today we have all been told that part of the beauty industry is still not allowed to open.

And then you've got people like this taking the fucking piss. I'm angry, but probably for the wrong reasons.

YANBU.

i feel for you doesnt seem right men can ge their beard cu and hair cut and yet you can do brows-ridiculous

cant*

Been into lots of businesses, shops and otherwise, not one mask to be seen. Will obviously change tomorrow under pain of punishment from wee Nicola.

Wouldn’t bother me in the slightest and I certainly would not be reporting a small no doubt struggling business to anyone.

If you don’t like it find somewhere else.

This is just an evolution of the early lockdown curtain twitchers gagging to report their neighbour for going to the supermarket two days in a row.

And hairdressers and barbers are massive vectors for infection too. The contact is close enough and long enough for spread, and the churn of customers all day means there’s a fair chance people will get infected and spread it far and wide.

Apparently 1 in 3,000 people have the infection - tiny, meaning the risk is small today, especially if you’re not likely to be particularly badly effected.

Those who have it are far more likely to be people who “don’t give a shit” and are likely to be fine with having their hair blow dried in a busy salon without any PPE, so maybe 1 in 500 of those “types”... A busy hairdresser probably has 50 clients per day... By the law of averages, an infected person will come in every 10 days. The salon may be lucky and that person may not be very infectious... but they may not be....
A hairdresser gets infected.... passes it to a couple of dozen colleagues and clients in the 2 days before becoming symptomatic.... and BOOM, it’s off....

I’m quite relaxed about risk factors generally and think the mask wearing outside and in that’s prevalent in some places is OTT and a bit pointless, but hairdressers not wearing proper PPE is appalling, and needs to be stopped.

@Derbygerbil authority for the "massive vectors" hypothesis?

Wouldn’t bother me in the slightest and I certainly would not be reporting a small no doubt struggling business to anyone. If you don’t like it find somewhere else.

Businesses are going to struggling a hell of a lot more if Covid takes off again.... Maybe it won’t take off again, but assuming it won’t it madness, and why would we take this risk when it has taken off again like the US?

They could be exempt from wearing them, try not to worry OP, you took all precautions so I think you will be both fine.

Report to whom?

It’s guidance not law

Many people are exempt....for health,age and equality reasons

@Summerdays2014

Hi,

I took my 4 year old to have his hair cut tonight. We went after I’d finished work/he’d finished nursery and there was no queue so straight in, 2 people already in the chairs. I had a mask for my son to wear but he was only holding it over his mouth and it only lasted about 5 minutes as it got hair in it and was uncomfortable for him. My husband asked if all the hairdressers had masks/visors on... but they didn’t. I’m now so worried and feel so guilty. I should have known, I did know, they were meant to have PPE but it just didn’t register at the time. I’m scared I’ve put us at risk and we’ve been so carful - not even seen my parents as I know my son won’t be able to keep away from them.

Report them. Money grabbing bastards

@Mascotte

You have people is close contact, often face-on, for an extended period.... There obviously a significant transmission risk there as every single “authority” on Covid would confirm. It’s bizarre to think there wouldn’t be - quite apart from whether you felt Covid was a threat or not.

Repeating that close, prolonged contact again and again through the day, obviously increases chances of transmission to a range of unrelated people, who then have the potential to spread it further.

You don’t need a doctorate in epidemiology to recognise this... It’s blindingly obvious!

Really wouldn't bother me, don't stress over it. I'm off for my first cut tomorrow. I honestly dont care if they have a mask on or not.

I'm not taking one (dont even own one). I'll wear one if they give me one and require it and will pay extra if this is a requirement but wont be bothering if its optional.

It’s guidance not law. Many people are exempt....for health,age and equality reasons

The proportion of working people who are exempt is very small indeed.... Very few adults able to work cannot wear a face covering.

The risk is low so I'm sure he will be fine but if you felt strongly about it you should have said so at the time.

authority for the "massive vectors" hypothesis?

Actually, SAGE specifically commented on risk posted by personal care businesses, including hairdressers:

People working in businesses involving close, sustained contact with many people, however, could have levels of infection as high as those seen in social care, as well as increasing transmission in the community. Such businesses could include hairdressers, nail bars, and other personal care services.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/888759/S0313_SAGE33_Consensus_for_SPI-M_on_transition_strategies.pdf

It's the HSE you report to - our local club (gym, pool, restaurant place) has been super careful - but have had two HSE visits following complaints.

I don’t understand why you sat for the haircut and are now concerned.
If you were that unhappy you could just have walked back out.

@LilBlackLab

LilBlackLab

Report to whom? It’s guidance not law

Yes, it’s guidance but it is guidance that the law expects will be duly considered and acted upon, with failure to do so being subject to Health & Safety legislation. Here’s the relevant extract from
the “guidance”:

Where the enforcing authority, such as the HSE or your local authority, identifies employers who are not taking action to comply with the relevant public health legislation and guidance to control public health risks, they are empowered to take a range of actions to improve control of workplace risks. For example, this would cover employers not taking appropriate action to ensure social distancing, where possible.

Failure to complete a risk assessment which takes account of COVID-19, or completing a risk assessment but failing to put in place sufficient measures to manage the risk of COVID-19, could constitute a breach of health and safety law. The actions the enforcing authority can take include the provision of specific advice to employers to support them to achieve the required standard, through to issuing enforcement notices to help secure improvements. Serious breaches and failure to comply with enforcement notices can constitute a criminal offence, with serious fines and even imprisonment for up to 2 years. There is also a wider system of enforcement, which includes specific obligations and conditions for licensed premises.

Employers are expected to respond to any advice or notices issued by enforcing authorities rapidly and are required to do so within any timescales imposed by the enforcing authorities. The vast majority of employers are responsible and will join with the UK’s fight against COVID-19 by working with the government and their sector bodies to protect their workers and the public. However, inspectors are carrying out compliance checks nationwide to ensure that employers are taking the necessary steps.

Employers must follow all instructions from authorities in the event of new local restrictions.

How to raise a concern:

contact your employee representative
contact your trade union if you have one
contact HSE at:
HSE COVID-19 enquiries
Telephone: 0300 790 6787 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm)
Online: working safely enquiry form