Correct procedures and cutting corners: a qualitative study of women's occupational health and safety in a beauty therapy industry.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the context of occupational health and safety related to blood-borne communicable diseases practice.


METHODS
A case study approach using qualitative semi-structured interviews with five key informants who represented different sectors of the beauty therapy industry in South Australia.


RESULTS
Four main themes were identified: (i) exposure to blood and blood-borne communicable diseases; (ii) prevention in practice; (iii) OH&S problems; and (iv) industry needs.


CONCLUSIONS
Key OH&S issues in the beauty therapy industry include: power relationships between employers and employees, equipment costs, the need for more continuing education, and monitoring of practitioners.


CONCLUSIONS
Economic constraints, continuing education, and government regulation of the beauty therapy industry are highlighted as significant areas for further consideration in addressing the OH&S needs of practitioners and their clients.
Hepworth
Julie
J
Department of Psychology, Argosy University, SFBA, California 94804, USA. jhepworth@argosyu.edu
Murtagh
Madeleine
M
D001504:Beauty; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016272:Occupational Health; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D013021:South Australia