Safety Standards and Checklist: Close Contact Personal Services

Barber Shops and Hair Salons, originally authorized to open in Phase 1 of the Re-Opening Plan, are now subject to these workplace safety standards for Close Contact Personal Services as of June 22, 2020.

Close Contact Personal Services are defined as any personal service typically delivered through close physical contact with the customer, including but not limited to:

1. hair salons and barber shops; as permitted to open in Phase 1 of the Re-Opening Plan
2. hair removal services; including laser services, depilatory salons, waxing services, threading, and electrolysis services
3. massage, body treatments, eastern treatment, energy therapies and other body work therapies;
4. skin care services; including peels, facials, serums, Botox and filler
5. nail care services; including nail salons
6. other hair services; including hair replacement services, scalp treating services
7. makeup salons;
8. makeup application services;
9. tanning salons; including other businesses that provide spray tanning and tanning beds; and
10. tattoo, piercing, and body art services

Note: personal trainers should follow fitness center and health club guidance for Phase 3.

Saunas, hot tubs, and sensory float tanks must remain closed.

Encourage workers who test positive for COVID-19 to disclose to the workplace employer for purposes of cleaning / disinfecting and contact tracing. If the employer is notified of a positive case at the workplace, the employer shall notify the local health department in the city or town where the workplace is located and assist the local health department as reasonably requested to advise likely contacts to isolate and self-quarantine. Testing of other workers may be recommended consistent with guidance and / or at the request of the local health department.

Key Documents for Reopening

Linked below are three important documents:

1. Workplace Safety Standards - Complete and official sector-specific standards for reopening close contact personal services (all workplaces must also comply with the Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces)
2. Protocol Summary - User friendly summary of the standards and best practices
3. Checklist - Printable tool to help businesses perform the required self-certification for opening and ensure compliance with the sector-specific standards 

Workplace Safety Standards for Close Contact Personal Services (Effective: 03.01.21)  Close Contact Personal Services Protocol Summary (03.01.21)  Close Contact Personal Services Checklist (03.01.21) 

Social Distancing and Capacity Limits

Require face coverings for all customers and workers, except where an individual is unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition or disability

• For skin or beard care that occurs on the face, the customer may temporarily remove the face covering but must immediately put the face covering back on for the remainder of the visit.

Require workers to wear gloves, gowns or smocks, and prescription glasses, safety glasses or goggles

• Gloves are required for all services except massage

Each business must monitor customer entries and exits and limit occupancy at all times to the greater of the following:

• 50% of the building’s maximum permitted occupancy as documented in its occupancy permit on record with the municipal building department or other municipal record holder

All occupant counts and calculations shall include customers, but may exclude staff and other workers

Ensure separation of 6 feet or more between individuals where possible:

• Close or reconfigure common spaces and high density areas where workers and patrons are likely to congregate (e.g., break rooms and eating areas for workers; lobbies and workstations for customers) to allow social distancing
• Arrange workstations so work areas are spaced out at least 6 feet apart
• Physical partitions must separate workstations that cannot be spaced out (partitions must be at least 6 feet in height)
• Install physical barriers for checkout stations where possible, otherwise maintain 6 feet distance where not possible
• Install visual social distancing markers to encourage customers to remain 6 feet apart (e.g., checkout lines, lines to use the restroom)
• Mark rooms and hallways to indicate 6 feet separation

Stagger lunch and break times for workers, regulate the maximum number of people in one place, and ensure at least 6 feet of physical distancing

Establish directional pathways to manage visitor flow for foot traffic, to minimize contact (e.g., one-way entrance and exit to rooms, one-way pathways). Post clearly visible signage regarding these policies

Contactless payment methods are encouraged

Encourage curbside pickup or delivery of any retail items purchased by customers not already on the premises for a service appointment, and follow the Retail Business guidance for customers seeking retail purchases instead of or in addition to personal services

No guests should accompany the customer during the personal service except for persons serving as caretakers or guardians. Guests must observe all other requirements of customers, including wearing a face covering and maintaining 6 feet of separation from other persons present

Hygiene Protocols

Ensure access to handwashing facilities on site, including soap and running water, and allow enough break time for workers to wash hands frequently; alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol may be used as an alternative

Supply workers at workplace location with adequate cleaning products (e.g., sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, disinfectant)

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol shall be made available at entrances and throughout floor areas for both workers and customers

Require glove changes and handwashing before and after each customer

Do not permit sharing of tools and supplies between workers (e.g., clippers, spacers, brushes, needles, etc.).  All tools must be cleaned between each customer  

Workers should change into a clean smock or gown between each customer. Consider using disposable capes and smocks. Reusable capes, towels, gowns should be laundered between each use

Post visible signage throughout the site to remind workers and customers of hygiene and safety protocols

Staffing and Operations

Provide training to workers on up-to-date safety information and precautions including hygiene and other measures aimed at reducing disease transmission, including:

•Social distancing, hand-washing, proper use of face coverings

•Self-screening at home, including temperature and symptom checks

•Reinforcing that staff shall not come to work if sick

•When to seek medical attention if symptoms become severe

•Which underlying health conditions may make individuals more susceptible to contracting and suffering from a severe case of the virus

Facilities must screen workers at each shift by ensuring the following:

•Worker is not experiencing any symptoms such as fever (100.0 and above) or chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, headache, muscle/body aches, runny nose/congestion, new loss of taste or smell, or nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

•Worker has not had “close contact” with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19. “Close contact” means living in the same household as a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, caring for a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, being within 6 feet of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more, or coming in direct contact with secretions (e.g., sharing utensils, being coughed on) from a person who has tested positive for COVID-19

•Worker has not been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by their doctor or a local public health official

•Workers who fail to meet the above criteria must be sent home

Adjust workplace hours and shifts (working teams with different schedules or staggered arrival / departure) to minimize contact across workers and reduce congestion

Require customers to make an appointment in advance to receive service

Close waiting areas and ask customers to wait outside or in cars until it is time for their appointment

Maintain a log of workers and customers to support potential contact tracing (name, date, time, contact information)

Remove non-essential amenities (e.g., magazines, customer-facing water or coffee, etc.)

Workers shall not appear for work or complete a shift if feeling ill

Encourage workers who test positive for COVID-19 to disclose to the workplace employer for purposes of cleaning / disinfecting and contact tracing. If the employer is notified of any positive case at the workplace, the employer must immediately notify the local Board of Health (LBOH) in the city or town where the workplace is located. Employers must assist the LBOH with contact tracing efforts, including advising likely contacts to isolate and self-quarantine. Testing of other workers may be recommended consistent with guidance and / or at the request of the LBOH

Post notice to workers and customers of important health information and relevant safety measures as outlined in the Commonwealth’s Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplace

Businesses should maintain operating hours that allow for on-going off-hour sanitation and cleaning

Limit visitors and service providers on site; shipping and deliveries should be completed in designated areas

Recommended Best Practices

Workers who are who are at high risk from COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control should be encouraged to stay home or should have work assignments shifted to reduce contact with customers and co-workers

Workers are strongly encouraged to self-identify symptoms or any close contact to a known or suspected COVID-19 case to the employer

Encourage workers who test positive for COVID-19 to disclose to the workplace employer for purposes of cleaning / disinfecting and contact tracing

Limit employee movement to discrete work zones to minimize overlap where possible

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Clean commonly touched surfaces in restrooms (e.g., toilet seats, doorknobs, stall handles, sinks, paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers) frequently and in accordance with CDC guidelines

Conduct frequent cleaning and disinfection of site (at least daily, and more frequently if feasible)

Keep cleaning logs that include date, time, and scope of cleaning

Conduct frequent disinfecting of heavily transited areas and high-touch surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, handrails, headrests, armrests, etc.)

In the event of a positive case of a worker, patron or vendor, follow current CDC guidance on cleaning and disinfecting areas when someone has a COVID-19 diagnosis

Disinfect or replace tools, implements and surfaces between customers (e.g., tables, finger bowls, chairs and headrests, spatulas, clippers, spacers, styling tools)

If tools cannot be disinfected (i.e., porous tools such as nail files, buffers, drill bits, etc.), they must be discarded after use

Disinfect chair, table, and/or workstation between customers or use disposable plastic coverings for each customer, observing contact time on label for disinfectant to work properly

Launder all linens, towel drapes and smocks in hot soapy water and dry completely regularly and between each use

Recommended Best Practices

Open windows and doors to increase airflow where possible

Last updated:	February 25, 2021