Promoting workplace wellness and health through local policy and diverse partnerships

In the U.S., over 57,000 beauty salons employ nearly 376,000 nail technicians who are disproportionately exposed to toxic chemicals in products they handle on a daily basis. California alone employs 114,000 licensed nail technicians. Studies have shown that these workers experience significant occupational health problems such as skin irritations, headaches, and respiratory problems; neurocognitive conditions; and reproductive problems. Given failed attempts to pass federal and state policies to protect salon workers from toxic chemical exposure, the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative (Collaborative) launched a local campaign to advocate for the health of salon workers and healthier salon workplaces. Through a unique partnership with the Collaborative, and San Francisco's Department of Environment and Board Supervisor David Chiu, a groundbreaking Healthy Nail Salon Program ordinance was passed and implemented in San Francisco. The Healthy Nail Salon Program rewards nail salons that make safer choices for their employees, customers, and the environment. The program requires salons meet a rigorous checklist of workplace health and safety requirements. Fifteen nail salons have been officially deemed as “Healthy Nail Salons” with an additional 25 that have registered for the program. Given the success of this program, it is anticipated that three other counties in California will adopt a Healthy Nail Salon Program modeled after San Francisco's this year. This session will describe the local campaign efforts that led to the Healthy Nail Salon Program ordinance, the innovative program model established by the San Francisco Department of Environment, and highlight successes and challenges to program implementation.