New learning tools for cosmetology students in secondary school programs

The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Public Health's NJ Safe Schools Program (NJSS) is dedicated to assisting secondary school programs to reduce occupational safety and health hazards (S&H) in classroom and worksite microenvironments. Since 2010 NJSS has focused part of its efforts on the cosmetology career cluster due to the wide array of hazards present in salons. A Task Force was convened and learning tools geared towards increasing knowledge and awareness of S&H among cosmetology students were developed with stakeholder input and teacher focus groups. Resources include a cosmetology webpage, Right To Know brochures and a salon safety quiz (SSQ). In 2012-13 NJSS in collaboration with Georgia Tech Research Institute developed a targeted training for cosmetology teachers to further expand learning opportunities for their students. It is practical in nature, with case studies and real-life examples. Using a train-the-trainer approach, this curriculum covers topics like infection control, chemical safety and ergonomics plus incorporates activities from the NIOSH Youth@Work Talking Safety curriculum; lessons were updated to highlight issues of concern for cosmetologists. A comprehensive list of hazards present in salons with recommendations for how to control these hazards, a hazard map of areas in a typical salon and a realistic role-play scenario in a salon setting are included. Teachers are provided with the SSQ to administer to students pre- and post-training to determine changes in knowledge and awareness. This training and the associated learning tools enhances preparation of young workers entering the field of cosmetology.