By Madina Toure
Nail salons in all five boroughs could be forced to comply with a number of regulations that aim to improve health and safety standards in salons.
The Council’s committees on health and consumer affairs jointly presented four bills, which include a ventilation system, more inspectors and a consumer bill of rights, at a hearing May 1.
City Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest), who is co-sponsoring some of the bills, served as chairman of a subcommittee on workplace safety when he was in the state Assembly.
He said there is a nail salon on just about any block in Queens, most of which are run by immigrant business leaders themselves.
“They’re not familiar with what their rights are,” he said. “Some of them may be undocumented, but regardless it’s a population that may not be aware of their ability to assert their right to a safe workplace.”
The Nail Salon Health and Safety Bill, introduced by Public Advocate Letitia James last April, would require the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to create guidelines for salons and a “healthy nail salon” certification program, which would necessitate ventilation systems.
Under the bill’s provisions, salons would be reimbursed for the cost of the ventilation system, and the programs would be voluntary. The bill also requires DOH to conduct education and outreach, establish a nail salon task force and post signs in salons.
The other three bills were introduced by City Councilman Rafael Espinal (D-Brooklyn) in January.
One bill calls for periodic retraining of people licensed to practice appearance enhancement – waxing, nails, hair, skin services and natural hair braiding – and an increase in the number of health and safety inspectors.
Another bill would require DOH to enhance state health and safety regulations against appearance enhancement establishments and allow the department to create a letter grading system for these establishments.
The last bill requires the city Department of Consumer Affairs to create a list of appearance enhancement consumers’ rights and require businesses to conspicuously post the list.
Consumer Affairs said it does not comment on proposed or pending legislation.
Appearance enhancement salons are inspected by 32 investigators statewide, according to Edison Alban, a press officer for the NY Department of State.
There are 26,753 licensed appearance enhancement businesses, 11,536 of which are located in the five boroughs, Alban said.
Long-term exposure to certain chemicals can create health risks for salon workers. Formaldehyde in nail hardeners, for example, can lead to irritation or allergic reaction for anyone sensitive to the chemical.
DOH responds to occasional complaints about odors emanating from salons lodged by residential and commercial neighbors of the businesses.
Reach reporter Madina Toure by e-mail at mtour
