Health Hazards – Aches and Pains

According to OSHA, nail salon workers can get aches and pains from leaning over a worktable for a long time; doing repetitive movements like filing and buffing nails; and resting hands, wrists, and forearms and/or elbows against hard surfaces or sharp edges of worktables. These are often called ergonomic or musculoskeletal hazards because they affect your muscles and bones. Ergonomics is the science of “fitting the task to the worker” so that you are more comfortable and efficient when doing your job. Good ergonomic practices will reduce stress to your body and help you avoid aches and pains.

OSHA recommends the following steps to reduce these risks and hazards

• Use an adjustable chair. Sit so that your feet are flat on the floor and your back is supported. Use a footrest if your feet do not touch the floor when sitting.
• Make sure there is enough space between the back of your knees and the front edge of your seat to improve blood flow to your legs.
• Adjust the lighting. Good lighting can help you see without having to bend over.
• Raise the client’s hand or foot. Use a cushion to raise the client’s hand or foot so you do not have to bend over as far.
• Use safety glasses with magnifying lenses. These glasses reduce the need for you to bend over to see the client’s hand or foot.
• Put a towel or foam pad on the table edge to soften it for hands, arms, wrists, and elbows.
• Put soft pads on tools to make handles larger and easier to hold.
• Take frequent breaks if possible; changing positions and doing a different task is also helpful.
• Pace your work. When you work too fast, your body can become tense, which could cause muscle pain.
• Do gentle stretching exercises, like the ones below, in between sessions with clients. You may need to check with your doctor first.

Stretching Exercises You Can Do to Reduce Aches and Pains:

Improving Body Ergonomics to Avoid Pains and Aches

Posture and position are important, whether you are sitting at the nail table or in front of your client giving a pedicure. Paying attention to how you perform these tasks can prevent many injuries, e.g. lower back, neck, wrist and shoulder pain.

1. Keep both the task and tools directly in front, do not favor or lean to one side.
2. Avoid reaching more than 12 inches and keep forearms parallel with the floor (neutral position) at the side.
3. Choose a high quality, swivel chair with a seat at least one inch wider on each side than hips/thighs and properly padded so that it doesn’t create a pressure points, e.g. behind the knees.
4. When sitting always keep the spine (back) in a neutral position e.g. a 90 degree angle, not leaning forward or backward. The head, neck, and body should face forward without twisting or hunching.
   The back rest should provide support for lower back.
5. Avoid twisting the neck, e.g. holding cell phone with the head. The head should be kept upright and shoulders relaxed.
6. Avoid leaning too far forward while performing manicures or pedicures. Do not bend the back forward more than 30 degrees or the neck more than 45 degrees.
7. Raise and position the client’s hands or legs/feet to prevent bending/stretching forward or supporting feet with your own body. A recliner chair works well and supports the client’s legs in the best position for servicing.
8. Adjust chair height so your thighs are parallel to the floor with your feet flat. If necessary, use a footrest to keep the feet flat and don’t cross the legs or sit sideways in the chair.
9. Wrist and hands should be kept straight, not bent or twisted sideways.
10. When holding a client hand or finger, position it so that the pressure from grasping is minimized; a relaxed, minimal hold will lessen the strain.
11. Gently move your client’s hand rather than tilting your head. In order to prevent neck strain, consider placing a client’s hand on a rest that elevates the hand to prevent forward tilt of the head
    and neck.
12. Minimize pressure points, avoid placing arms on the edge of the table and use a foam tube/padding on the sharp edge of the nail table or as an arm/elbow rest.

Other Important Points to Remember

1. Using lighting bright enough for the task, but avoiding too much glare will reduce eyestrain.
2. Blink frequently or use eye drops to keep eyes moist and occasionally look away from subject to prevent eye fatigue.
3. Take frequent breaks, change positions frequently and don’t hold any posture or position for long periods.
4. Use continual flowing movements when performing massage techniques to keep your muscles from tightening and becoming sore.
5. When massaging, use the heel of your hand and pad of your thumb since they are stronger than your fingers and be ambidextrous; use both hands equally.
6. Slow down, if necessary, to avoid injury, pain, discomfort and eliminate unnecessary steps.
7. Don’t over apply artificial nail products; the more you apply, the more you have to file.
8. Using a new file on each client will reduce your muscle strain and save time.
9. If taking a break isn’t possible, do gentle stretching motion in between clients; stretch the neck, raise arms and stretch, open hands and stretch fingers, stretch back and rotate wrists.
10. Hand washing between clients is considered a necessary break and a great time to stretch. Always pay attention to discomfort.
11. Don’t ignore pain; take steps to alleviate it and develop a regular routine for stretching. Try stretching between clients, or change position between clients.
12. If pain or discomfort continues, seek the advice a medical professional.
13. A regular exercise program that includes core stability exercises may reduce the risk of workplace injuries. Consult your physician before beginning an exercise program.