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609 Health Hazards in Nail Salons
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Preventing Injury

Ergonomics

Most nail salon employee injuries are caused by poor ergonomic practices. Ergonomics is the study of the work environment that attempts to "fit the task to the worker" so you are more comfortable and efficient when doing your job.

Image of worker filing finger nails of client.
Leaning over for a long time can cause ergonomic injuries.

Good ergonomic practices can reduce stress to the body and avoid hazards that may cause aches and pains.

Nail salon workers can unknowingly use poor ergonomic practices that cause injury. Here are a few:

  • leaning over a worktable for a long time
  • doing repetitive movements like filing and buffing nails
  • resting hands, wrists, and forearms and/or elbows against hard surfaces or sharp edges of worktables

These practices can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that may injure your muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. Let's look at ways to reduce MSDs in your workplace.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-1. Which of the following is a common cause of ergonomic injuries for nail salon workers?