Out of our deep respect for life & health, Nail Innovationz has added extra layers of safety for our clients and staff. We have added a Nail Desk Shield barriers to our nail desk and checkout counter. We take Infection Control very seriously. This is just one of example of the extra safety measures we have implemented over and above the minimum government regulated Infection Controls at this time.
I spoke with our local Health Inspector Rory Peever, and sent him our protocols regarding insights for Infection Control measures at this time. He was able to offer some great insights on safety barriers and said “I checked out your website. Great example of infection control.”
As well as listing the Alberta re-launch strategy, Peever said, “At this time, Alberta Health has not given Alberta Health Services a lot of information in regards to facility precautions for the relaunch.
As we can see in their re-launch strategy, one of the points for infection control is to encourage wearing a mask in public where unable to physically distance.
It would appear this is their main idea of infection control during esthetic procedures.”
He went on to discuss Nail Innovationz desk shield.
In regards to Nail Innovationz desk shields, Peevers noted we have probably “seen variation within installed barriers to protect customers/workers at cash registers/checkouts in the facilities that were allowed to remain open during the shutdown (grocery and convenience stores). As well, we may have seen or heard about a few facilities open during the shutdown with no barrier at all.
Installed barriers were not part of Alberta Health requirements or Alberta Health Services recommendations/advice given to the open facilities. Companies and businesses took it upon themselves to install these devices and since there was no standard, there is a wide variation of barrier sizes, styles, curvature, side panels, and thickness.”
As there was no barrier requirement or standards from AHS, and there is nothing regarding barriers listed in the re-launch strategy, it would seem for now anyway that it is up to each bizness to decide for themselves the extent of the precautions they will take.
However, is appears at this time that other provinces are looking at implementing higher standards. BC’s Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry says the province of BC is looking at implementing engineering controls for other businesses. Controls such as plexiglass barriers separating cashiers and customers that have already been installed at grocery stores. “There is a lot of protection that you get from a plexiglass barrier between you and somebody in the grocery store,” she said.
What’s the take away?
We all want to personally evaluate the risks to both our clients and ourselves at every step of the service. Then determine the best approach possible to the reduce the risk of contracting or spreading these novel or new types of pathogens.
At Nail Innovationz, we are never about looking at what is the bare minimum or what is good enough. Looking beyond the minimum standards of our industry, province or even our country, we look to what is the best humans in general are doing in this area. The best we can do from our research here is to implement Nail Desk Shield safety barriers. It’s the best we can do for the patrons of our salons, ourselves and our families.
Let us know what your thoughts are below. Barriers or no barrier?
~Avry Bablitz
Founder Nail Innovationz