Beauty school turns ugly

By Peter de Graaff

Teachers in the hairdressing and beauty section at West Wollongong TAFE met on January 29 and passed resolutions that they were unprepared to deliver practical classes, and would only deliver theory, in the new beauty school at the campus until funding was allocated to provide for classroom and storeroom support.

In the Illawarra region there has been a significant growth of day spas and other establishments associated with the beauty industry providing opportunities for apprentices.

Capital funding was provided by the State Government to refurbish existing premises to establish the beauty school. Unfortunately, in spite of the significant expenditures made in the refurbishment, insufficient funding was provided to allow practical classes to operate.

Due to the nature of the beauty industry, where there is skin penetration and contact with body fluids it is necessary to ensure that there are sterile environments to hospital grade. Support staff have an important role in: ensuring equipment and fittings are free from contamination; issuing of products and chemicals; and ensuring such materials are properly stored to also avoid risk of contamination to clients and staff.

Store attendants also ensure the laundering of towels and gowns, taking of appointments by models and clients, and so on.

Classroom teachers, if expected to attend to such tasks, would then have to leave students and clients unattended, posing a potential risk to their safety. Clients and students may not only be susceptible to transmittable diseases but also at risk of burns and chemical damage to their skin if left unsupervised -- that is, waxing, bleaching, ear piercing, chemical peels, and so on are all processes taught for the beauty industry.

Following concerns raised by Federation members at West Wollongong TAFE, the Public Service Association (PSA) lodged a dispute in the Industrial Relations Commission -- classroom support and store persons are covered by the PSA.

The Institute is now providing support staff in the beauty school, and the Institute has also been working to develop appropriate risk assessments of the refurbished areas consistent with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The matter is scheduled for further reports back to the Industrial Relations Commission during March 2007.

Peter de Graaff is a TAFE Organiser.

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March 2007 contents