3.7 Safe Working Conditions: Water Temperature, Equipment Maintenance, and Electrical Safety
Key Takeaways
Test shampoo water and steam towels on the inside of your wrist before they touch the client, and keep checking water temperature during the shampoo.
Consumer safety agencies recommend setting water heaters no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, because 140-degree water can cause a serious scald in seconds.
Use only electrical equipment with a safety certification mark such as UL, inspect cords and plugs before use, and never use appliances with wet hands or near standing water.
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) cuts power in a fraction of a second when current leaks to ground, which is why outlets near shampoo bowls and sinks need GFCI protection.
Clean up hair and spills right away, keep cords out of walkways, and remove damaged tools from service until they are repaired.
Why this topic matters
Four Domain I subtopics are about physical safety: procedures for maintaining safe working conditions, safe water temperature, safe use of equipment and maintenance procedures, and electrical safety. On the practical test, every one of the eight topic areas is scored for "workplace safety precautions." PSI's list of expectations includes cleaning up spills, picking up dropped items, preventing slips and trips, and making sure tools are in safe working order with "no frayed or exposed wires, rusty metals, etc."
Safe working conditions
Floors and walkways
- Sweep hair after each client. Tennessee Rule 0200-03-.03 requires hair to be removed promptly after each customer and floors to be swept or mopped daily. Hair on tile is slippery.
- Wipe spills immediately, especially water, conditioner, oils, and lather near the shampoo bowl and shave chair.
- Keep cords, cases, and supply kits out of walkways. Store your kit under the table, as PSI requires on the practical test.
- Keep exits and aisles clear, and know where the fire extinguisher and first aid kit are. Tennessee barber schools must have a first aid kit, and so must mobile shops and residential kits.
Client positioning
- Lock the hydraulic chair before seating the client. Lower and recline it smoothly, and tell the client before you move it.
- Support the head during reclined services such as shaves and shampoos. Do not hyperextend the client's neck over the shampoo bowl; use a towel or cushion at the neck edge.
- Help clients with limited mobility in and out of the chair.
Your own body
- Adjust chair height so your wrists stay straight and your shoulders stay relaxed. Stand with weight balanced on both feet, and wear supportive shoes.
- Take short breaks to reduce repetitive strain from shears and clippers.
Safe water temperature
Hot water is part of shampooing, steam towels, scalp treatments, and rinsing chemicals. The client cannot see the water and may not warn you in time.
- Test water on the inside of your wrist before it touches the client. The inner wrist is thinner and more sensitive than your palm.
- Keep one finger in the stream while rinsing so you notice a sudden change, such as when someone else in the shop turns on a tap.
- Ask the client whether the temperature is comfortable, especially after a chemical service, when the scalp may be sensitive.
- Rinse chemicals with cool to lukewarm water. Hot water opens the cuticle further and irritates a scalp that has just been treated. Relaxer and color manufacturers typically call for warm or tepid rinsing.
- Steam towels from a towel warmer can be much hotter than tap water. Test each towel on your inner wrist, and shake it out slightly before placing it on the face. Never use a towel that has been used before and re-dipped in hot water (Tennessee Rule 0200-03-.05(7)(c)).
Why the heater setting matters. Consumer safety agencies recommend setting water heaters at no more than 120°F. At about 140°F, a serious scald can occur in seconds. Clients with thin, aged, or chemically treated skin are the most at risk.
Safe use and maintenance of equipment
| Equipment | Safe-use and maintenance rules |
|---|---|
| Clippers and trimmers | Oil and clean the blades; check blade alignment; replace worn drive parts; never zero-gap a trimmer so the cutting blade extends past the stationary blade; turn off before brushing out hair |
| Shears and razors | Keep them sharp and aligned; close shears and fold razors when not in use; never hand them to someone blade-first; put used blades in a sharps container |
| Thermal tools | Test the temperature on a tissue or hair strand before using on the client; set tools on heat-resistant stands; unplug when finished |
| Hydraulic chairs | Check the base, pump, and lock; clean and disinfect the headrest and arms after each service |
| Towel warmers and steamers | Follow the manufacturer's cleaning schedule; use only clean towels; keep the door closed |
| Ultraviolet sanitizers | Use only for storing clean, disinfected tools, never in place of immersion |
A tool that is cracked, rusty, dull, or damaged comes out of service until it is repaired or replaced. Tennessee Rule 0200-03-.05(11) requires equipment, shampoo basins, furnishings, and work surfaces to be kept in good repair and disinfected after each service. Rule 0200-01-.07(6) requires all equipment to be in working order.
Electricity basics barbers need
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Electric current | The flow of electricity along a conductor |
| Conductor | Material that lets electricity flow easily, such as copper, water, or the human body |
| Insulator (nonconductor) | Material that resists electricity, such as rubber, plastic, or dry wood |
| Direct current (DC) | Current that flows in one direction; batteries supply it, as in cordless clippers |
| Alternating current (AC) | Current that reverses direction rapidly; wall outlets supply it |
| Volt | The unit of electrical pressure that pushes current |
| Amp | The unit of electric current, or how much flows |
| Ohm | The unit of resistance |
| Watt | The unit of power, or how much energy a device uses per second |
| Fuse and circuit breaker | Devices that stop current when a circuit overloads, preventing overheating and fire |
| Grounding | A path that sends stray current safely to the ground, through the third (round) prong of a plug |
| GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) | Senses current leaking to ground, as through a person or water, and cuts power almost instantly |
Electrical safety rules
- Use certified equipment. Look for a safety listing mark such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories), which shows the appliance was tested for safety.
- Inspect cords and plugs before use. Frayed, cracked, or taped cords and bent or missing prongs mean the tool comes out of service.
- Keep electricity and water apart. Keep clippers, dryers, and irons away from sinks, shampoo bowls, and wet surfaces. Never use them with wet hands or while standing on a wet floor.
- Use GFCI-protected outlets near sinks and shampoo bowls.
- Do not overload outlets with multiple high-wattage tools such as dryers, irons, and towel warmers on one circuit, and avoid chains of extension cords.
- Unplug by the plug, not the cord, and unplug before cleaning or changing blades.
- Do not use grounded plugs in ungrounded outlets, and never remove the grounding prong.
- If someone is shocked, do not touch the person while they may still be in contact with the current. Turn off the power at the breaker or unplug the device, then call 911 and give first aid.
- Never leave hot tools unattended or plugged in overnight.
Putting it into practice
Before your first client each day, run through this check: floors dry and clear; cords intact and away from the shampoo bowl; clippers oiled, blades aligned, and guards clean; towel warmer working and filled with clean towels; water tested at the shampoo bowl; and the first aid kit stocked. That routine covers most of what PSI evaluates in "workstation preparation" on the practical test.
What is the safest way to check shampoo water temperature before it reaches the client's scalp?
Ask the client to test it with a hand
Test it with your fingertips only once at the start
Set the tap to the hottest setting and add cold water if the client complains
Test it on the inside of your wrist and keep checking during the shampoo
What does a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) do?
Increases the voltage available to a blow dryer
Converts alternating current to direct current for cordless clippers
Senses current leaking to ground and shuts off power almost instantly, reducing shock risk near water
Lets three-prong plugs fit into two-prong outlets
During the practical test, you notice your clipper cord has a crack exposing bare wire. What should you do?
Wrap it in tape and continue
Take the clipper out of service and use a safe backup tool
Use it only for the last five minutes of the haircut
Tell the client to stay still and keep cutting
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.