This booklet was adapted from Stay Healthy and Safe While Giving Manicures 

and Pedicures: A Guide for Nail Salon Workers, which was developed by the 

Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP), University of California, 

Berkeley and the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative, which 

was produced through the Susan Harwood Grant Program, under 

grant number SH20864SH0 from the Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.

Photos and video stills were provided by the Asian Law Caucus and Street 

Level Health Project, the Boston Public Health Commission, and the King 

County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program. Illustrations were 

provided by Mary Ann Zapalac.
Stay Healthy and Safe 

While Giving Manicures 

and Pedicures

A Guide for Nail Salon Workers

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3542-05 2012

With this guide, you will learn about possible hazards in nail 

salons and good work practices that should be used in nail 

salons to protect you from chemical hazards, muscle strains, and 

diseases. This booklet also explains your rights as a nail salon 

worker. For more information, see OSHA’s Health Hazards in Nail 

Salons website at www.osha.gov.
Contents 

Chemical Hazards ............................................................................................. 3

Hazardous Chemicals Found in Nail Salon Products .............................................. 3

Where to Get Information about the Chemicals Found in Nail Salon Products ... 4

Product Labels ....................................................................................................... 4

Material Safety Data Sheets (often called “MSDSs”) ............................................. 5

Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Health ............................................................. 5

Choose Safer Products ........................................................................................... 5

Ventilate the Room and Let in Fresh Air .............................................................. 6

Use Safe Work Practices to Avoid Regular and Accidental Exposures ................. 7

Keep Products Off of Skin and Out of Eyes ......................................................... 7

Respiratory Protection ........................................................................................... 8

Preventing Aches and Pains ...................................................................... 10

Steps You Can Take to Reduce These Hazards ....................................................... 10

Stretching Exercises You Can Do to Reduce Aches and Pains .............................. 11

Biological Hazards .......................................................................................... 12

Steps You Can Take to Prevent Exposure and Protect Your Health ..................... 12

Your Rights as a Worker ............................................................................. 13

What is the difference between an Employee and an Independent Contractor 

for purposes of the Occupational Safety and Health Act? ...................................... 13

Why does it matter? .................................................................................................. 13

What are my rights as a worker? .............................................................................. 14

Contact OSHA .......................................................................................................... 14

For More Information ................................................................................. 15

Resources on Chemical Exposures in Nail Salons .................................................. 15

Resources on How to Prevent Muscle Strains (Ergonomic Hazards) ..................... 16

Resources on How to Prevent Exposure to Biological Hazards ............................. 17

OSHA Worker Resources ......................................................................................... 17

NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program .......................................................... 17

2
Chemical Hazards

Products used in nail salons may have chemicals in them that can 

harm your health. 

Chemicals can get into your body if you:

• Breathe in vapors, dusts, or mists from the products;

• Get the product on your skin or in your eyes; or 

• Swallow the product if it gets on your uncovered food, drink, or 

cigarettes. 

Chemicals affect different people in different ways. How a chemical 

affects you also depends on how much of it you are exposed to. You 

can get sick right away, or you can get sick over time. Exposures can 

“add up,” especially when many products are being used at the same 

time, when the products are used day after day, or when there is 

poor ventilation in the salon. If you use chemicals all day, every day, 

you are more likely to get sick than someone who uses the same 

chemicals once in a while. Follow the steps in this guide to help 

protect your health.

Hazardous Chemicals Found in Nail Salon Products

Nail products, such as polishes, strengtheners, removers, and artificial 

nail liquids, can contain many chemicals. Some of these chemicals 

are more harmful than others. Over time with repeated use or 

exposure to high concentrations, these chemicals could damage your 

body or cause an allergic reaction. Every person is different and not 

everyone who breathes in these chemicals or gets them on their skin 

will experience these effects now or in the future. 

Some potentially hazardous chemicals, the types of products they can 

be found in, and how they can affect your body include: 

• Acetone (nail polish remover): headaches; dizziness; and irritated 

eyes, skin, and throat.

• Acetonitrile (fingernail glue remover): irritated nose and throat; 

breathing problems; nausea; vomiting; weakness; and exhaustion.

• Butyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover): headaches and 

irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat.

• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (nail polish): nausea and irritated eyes, 

skin, nose, mouth, and throat. Long-term exposures to high 

concentrations may cause other serious effects. 

• Ethyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover, fingernail glue): 

irritated eyes, stomach, skin, nose, mouth, and throat; high 

concentrations can cause fainting.

Tip: 

Make sure your doctor or 

healthcare provider knows 

what type of work you 

do and the chemicals you 

use. Tell them if you are 

pregnant or planning to 

become pregnant. 

3
• Ethyl methacrylate (EMA) (artificial nail liquid): asthma; irritated 

eyes, skin, nose, and mouth; difficulty concentrating. Exposures 

while pregnant may affect your child.

• Formaldehyde (nail polish, nail hardener): difficulty breathing, 

including coughing, asthma-like attacks, and wheezing; allergic 

reactions; irritated eyes, skin, and throat. Formaldehyde can cause 

cancer.

• Isopropyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover): sleepiness, and 

irritated eyes, nose, and throat.

• Methacrylic acid (nail primer): skin burns and irritated eyes, skin, 

nose, mouth, and throat. At higher concentrations, this chemical 

can cause difficulty breathing.

• Methyl methacrylate (MMA) (artificial nail products, though 

banned for use in many states): asthma; irritated eyes, skin, nose, 

and mouth; difficulty concentrating; loss of smell.

• Quaternary ammonium compounds (disinfectants): irritated skin 

and nose and may cause asthma.

• Toluene (nail polish, fingernail glue): dry or cracked skin; 

headaches, dizziness, and numbness; irritated eyes, nose, throat, 

and lungs; damage to liver and kidneys; and harm to unborn 

children during pregnancy.

Report any health problems you think are from the products you 

use in the workplace to your employer and doctor. Employers must 

follow up on reports of health problems from workers.

Where to Get Information about the Chemicals Found 

in Nail Salon Products

You can get product information on packaging, or in printed 

materials delivered with the product such as its material safety data 

sheet.

Product Labels

At minimum, professional-use nail salon products containing 

hazardous chemicals must provide the following information: 

• The name and address of the product manufacturer or distributer;

• Something that explains the type and use of the product, such as a 

name, description, or illustration;

• Facts about the product, such as directions for safe use if a product 

could be unsafe if used incorrectly; and

• All necessary warning and caution statements.

4
Material Safety Data Sheets (often called “MSDSs”)

OSHA requires product manufacturers to provide salon owners 

with material safety data sheets (MSDSs)

1

 for the products they 

buy that contain hazardous chemicals. Employers must make these 

MSDSs available to you. Your employer must also train you so that 

you understand the chemicals’ potential hazards and how to use the 

products safely. In general, an MSDS must provide the following 

information: • Hazardous ingredients in the product; • How you can be exposed to the ingredients; • Health and safety risks you face when using the product; and • Steps for safely using and storing the product, including what to do 

in emergencies.

OSHA recently updated its rules about safety data sheet 

requirements. “Material Safety Data Sheets” will now be called 

“Safety Data Sheets” (SDSs). SDSs will generally list the same 

information as MSDSs, but all information will now be presented in 

a common format across products. This can help you compare the 

differences in hazards between products. 

Be aware that MSDSs may not contain all the information needed to 

help protect you. For example, the manufacturer may state that you 

should wear “impervious gloves,” but not specify the type.

Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Health

Choose Safer Products • Whenever possible, use products with the least hazardous 

chemicals in them. o 3-free: Some products now claim to be made without the “toxic 

trio” (toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate). These 

products are called “3-free” products.

2

o Acid free: Some primers claim to be made without chemicals like 

methacrylic acid. These are labeled “acid free.”

• Always read product labels and MSDSs and follow manufacturers’ 

instructions when using all nail salon products, including those 

labeled as “free” of hazardous chemicals. 

1 OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200. 2

 On April 10, 2012 the California Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC) announced 

its discovery of certain nail polish and nail care products that may endanger nail salon 

workers and the public despite being marketed as non-toxic. In May 2011, DTSC tested 

25 nail products sold by California distributors. Of the 12 claiming to be “toxic-free,”

10 contained toulene and four contained dibutyl phthalate (DBP). For more information, 

call (800) 728-6942 or visit www.dtsc.ca.gov.

5
Ventilate the Room and Let in Fresh Air

Ventilation is the best way to lower the level of chemicals in the 

salon. These steps can really help improve your health: 

• Open doors and windows when possible to let in fresh air. If the 

salon has a ceiling vent, it should be turned on and working.

• Always keep the nail salon’s exhaust system on. 

• If your salon does not have an exhaust system, always keep the 

heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system on 

during work hours. The HVAC thermostat fan switch should 

always be in the “on” position (not “auto”) so that it runs even 

when the heat or air conditioner is off. The salon owner should 

have a HVAC contractor clean the HVAC system and replace the 

filters at least once a year.

• Place fans near open doors or windows. Fans should pull air in 

one end of the salon and push it out of the other end.

• If the salon has ventilated tables:

o Make sure they are turned on.

o Change the charcoal filters at least once a month.

o Clean out the catch basin at least once a week. 

• If the salon has portable ventilation machines, use them in your 

work area to pull harmful vapors away from you and your clients. 

Bad ventilation: Outside air from the 

open window blows the chemicals into 

the worker’s face before being vented 

out of the salon.

Good ventilation: Outside air from the 

open window blows the chemicals away 

from the worker’s face before being 

vented out of the salon.

Photo of ventilated table courtesy of the 

Boston Public Health Commission.

6
Use Safe Work Practices to Avoid Regular and 

Accidental Exposures

• Store chemicals in small bottles with small openings and label 

them with the information from the manufacturer’s label. 

• Close bottles tightly when you are not using them so the product 

does not spill or get into the air.

• Use metal trashcans with tight, self-closing lids to keep the nail 

products soaked on cotton balls and other trash from evaporating 

and getting into the salon’s air.

o Put cotton balls and other soaked materials into the trashcans 

immediately. 

o If you do not have metal trashcans with self-closing lids, put 

cotton balls and soaked materials in a sealed bag before putting 

them in the trashcan and keep the trash covered. 

o Empty trashcans often and remove from the work area to the 

outside garbage at the end of each day.

• Use only the amount of product you need to perform services. 

When possible, do not keep extra products at a workstation. 

• Follow instructions for safely disposing of used chemicals. DO 

NOT pour them down your sink or toilet, throw them on the 

ground or down outside drains, or pour them onto cotton balls. 

o Some chemicals must be disposed of in a specific way. For 

example, used liquid acetone must be saved in a fire departmentapproved metal container and disposed of as hazardous waste.

• Wash your hands before eating, drinking, putting on cosmetics, 

and smoking.

• When you have a break, go outside to get some fresh air. This will 

give you a chance to get away from chemicals in the salon’s air.

• Keep food and drinks covered at all times, and do not store or eat 

food in work areas.

Keep Products Off of Skin and Out of Eyes

• Wear long-sleeved shirts to protect your arms and pants or skirts 

that are at least knee-length to protect your lap from acrylic nail 

and other dusts.

• Wash your hands before and after working on clients; before 

eating, drinking, putting on cosmetics or smoking; and after 

handling or transferring products. 

• Wear goggles and the appropriate type of disposable gloves when 

handling and transferring products. For example, nitrile gloves 

(usually blue or purple) protect against many chemicals used in 

nail salon products, but latex or vinyl gloves are appropriate when 

handling acetone. 

Ventilation off: Without a ventilation 

system running, chemical levels during 

acrylic nail removal reached very high 

levels (over 826 parts per million).

Ventilation on: With a ventilation 

system running, chemical levels 

dropped significantly during the same 

process (below 12.4 parts per million). 

Images courtesy of the Local Hazardous 

Waste Management Program in King 

County, WA.

7
• Replace gloves immediately if there are cuts, tears, or holes in 

them. 

• Cover and protect cuts or cracks in your skin. Damaged skin can 

increase chemical absorption and exposure.

• Do not continue to use a product if you see signs of skin irritation.

o If your hands are red and irritated, make sure your gloves are the 

right type for the product you are using.

Respiratory Protection

Using the ventilation methods described above, using products 

without harmful chemicals, and following good work practices all 

reduce the level of chemicals in a nail salon. If you work in a salon 

that follows these practices, you may not need respiratory protection.

Evaluating Possible Hazards

Employers need to determine if the levels of dust and/or chemical 

vapors in the salon pose a risk to workers and decide if respirators 

are required. Small employers can use available industrial hygiene 

services from OSHA’s On-site Consultation Program. Other groups 

that can provide assistance include an employer’s private insurance 

company or private industrial hygiene consulting firms.

Because chemicals can cause effects even at low levels, you may 

decide that you want to wear a respirator to protect yourself while 

transferring chemicals or when buffing and filing nails.

Types of Respirators

Many nail salon workers wear paper or cloth medical masks. These 

are not the same as dust masks (filtering facepieces), and even when 

stuffed with tissues, they will not protect you from breathing in 

harmful gases, vapors, or dusts. 

8
Here are some types of respirators that may be used in nail salons:

You should only use NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators. 

“N95s” are one type. 

This type of respirator will:

• Help protect you from dust, viruses, and germs. 

This type of respirator will not:

• Protect you from vapors or gases. Some N95s have filters that 

reduce chemical odors, but they may not protect you from harmful 

chemical exposure levels.

Filtering facepiece respirators may be helpful when you are:

• Buffing or filing artificial nails; or 

• Using acrylic powders.

You don’t need to wear the mask all the time, only when you are 

working on a client. When you put on this mask, make sure your 

hands are clean to avoid irritating your skin. 

If your employer allows you to wear this type of respirator voluntarily, 

then he/she must give you Appendix D of the OSHA Respiratory 

Protection Standard, which explains some important information 

about how to safely and effectively use your respirator.

Half-mask respirators with chemical cartridges offer protection from 

breathing in chemical vapors. 

This type of respirator will: 

• Help protect you from breathing in chemical gases and vapors 

(such as formaldehyde). 

Your employer may require you to wear this type of respirator when you:

• Transfer chemicals from larger bottles to smaller bottles; or 

• Clean up large spills. 

If you must use this type of respirator:

• Your employer is required to develop a respiratory protection program; 

• You must be fitted and trained to wear a respirator properly; 

• Your employer must evaluate the appropriate cartridge for the job 

task and provide it to you; and

• You must know how and when to change cartridges, and your 

employer must provide you with a cartridge change out schedule.

Half-mask 

Respirators with 

Cartridges

9

Filtering Facepiece 

Respirators 

(Dust Masks) 
Preventing Aches and Pains

Nail salon workers can get aches and pains from leaning over a 

worktable for a long time; doing repetitive movements like filing and 

buffing nails; and resting hands, wrists, and forearms and/or elbows 

against hard surfaces or sharp edges of worktables. These are often 

called ergonomic or musculoskeletal hazards because they affect your 

muscles and bones. Ergonomics is the science of “fitting the task to 

the worker” so that you are more comfortable and efficient when 

doing your job. Good ergonomic practices will reduce stress to your 

body and help you avoid aches and pains.

Steps You Can Take to Reduce These Hazards

• Use an adjustable chair. Sit so that your feet are flat on the floor 

and your back is supported. Use a footrest if your feet do not touch 

the floor when sitting. 

• Make sure there is enough space between the back of your knees 

and the front edge of your seat to improve blood flow to your legs.

• Adjust the lighting. Good lighting can help you see without 

having to bend over.

• Raise the client’s hand or foot. Use a cushion to raise the client’s 

hand or foot so you do not have to bend over as far.

• Use safety glasses with magnifying lenses. These glasses reduce the 

need for you to bend over to see the client’s hand or foot.

• Put a towel or foam pad on the table edge to soften it for hands, 

arms, wrists, and elbows. 

• Put soft pads on tools to make handles larger and easier to hold.

• Take frequent breaks if possible; changing positions and doing a 

different task is also helpful.

• Pace your work. When you work too fast, your body can become 

tense, which could cause muscle pain.

• Do gentle stretching exercises, like the ones on the following page, 

in between sessions with clients. You may need to check with your 

doctor first!

What is wrong with this picture?

What improvements do you see?

10
Stretching Exercises You Can Do to Reduce Aches and Pains

Neck: Keeping your arms 

and shoulders loose:

• Tilt your head to one 

side for 2 seconds.

• Tilt your head to the 

other side for 2 seconds.

Shoulders and Upper 

Back: Put one hand on 

your shoulder and look 

the opposite way. Pull your 

elbow in and up with the 

other hand.

• Hold for 2 seconds.

Neck: Keeping your arms 

and shoulders loose and 

your head facing straight 

forward:

• Tuck your chin for 2 

seconds.

Neck: Keeping your arms 

and shoulders loose:

• Turn your head to one 

side for 2 seconds.

• Turn your head to the 

other side for 2 seconds.

Fingers: Stretch your 

fingers out and hold 

for 8 seconds. Relax.

Make a claw with your 

hands and hold for 8 

seconds. Relax.

Lower Back and Hips: 

Lean forward keeping 

your neck relaxed and 

your head down.

• Hold for 8 seconds 

while breathing slowly.

Use your hands to push 

yourself up.

Back of Legs: Place your 

hands shoulder width 

apart on a wall or table.

• Bend your knees, keep 

hips directly above 

your feet, and lower 

head between arms.

Inner Thighs: With your 

feet wide apart, place 

both hands on your left 

knee. Bend the knee 

until you can feel the 

stretch.

• Hold for 8 seconds.

Ankles: While holding onto 

a table or wall for balance, 

put one foot out and:

• Point your toe up and 

down.

• Draw circles with your 

foot.

Shoulders: Lace 

your fingers and 

stretch your arms 

with your palms 

facing out:

• Hold for 2 

seconds.

11
Biological Hazards

Biological hazards include bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

3

 You can be 

exposed to many infectious agents, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis 

C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), if you come into 

contact with infected blood from a coworker or client. You can also 

be exposed to fungal infections of the nails and feet by touching 

a client’s infected skin or by using equipment that has not been 

cleaned.

Steps You Can Take to Prevent Exposure and Protect 

Your Health • Avoid touching any blood or bodily fluids. • Wear gloves, and avoid clients with cuts, open wounds/sores, 

blisters, or visibly infected skin on their hands, feet, or nails. Many 

agencies, such as the Boston Public Health Commission and the 

California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, prohibit working 

on clients with these health issues.

• Throw away disposable gloves immediately after using them. • Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after 

working with clients to avoid spreading germs.

• Bandage open cuts or broken skin to prevent contact with blood 

or other potentially infectious materials from a client or coworker.

• If an individual is bleeding, do not touch the blood. Ask the 

individual to use a cotton ball or tissue to stop the bleeding and to 

throw the used material directly into the trash once the bleeding 

has stopped.

• Consider getting immunized against hepatitis B. Your doctor can 

help you determine whether this is needed. Immunization practices 

can vary by state, so be sure to follow your state’s requirements. 

Your employer must offer you hepatitis B immunization without 

charge if you are likely to be exposed to blood or other infectious 

materials during your work.

• Clean and disinfect tools after each client according to the 

policies of your state’s cosmetology board. Some common steps 

for cleaning and disinfecting tools are: o Always wear the right gloves for the product you are using 

while cleaning and handling disinfectants or tools soaked in 

disinfectant.

3

 OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030, requires your employer to 

evaluate whether you may come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious 

material. If this risk exists, then the employer must follow the requirements of the 

standard, including providing training, vaccination, and personal protective equipment.

12
o Wash tools with soap and water. Use a scrub if needed. o Soak tools in an EPA-registered disinfectant for 10–30 minutes, 

according to manufacturer directions. Follow the manufacturer’s 

instructions when mixing the product ratios.

o Rinse tools in clean water. o Dry tools with a clean cloth. o Store all disinfected tools in a clean, covered area. Only use 

ultraviolet (UV) sanitizing boxes to store clean and disinfected 

reusable metal tools. The UV boxes do not disinfect tools.

• Disinfect foot basins and spas after each client and at the end of 

the day. Follow your state cosmetology board’s rules on how to 

clean and disinfect foot basins and spas.

Your Rights as a Worker

What is the difference between an Employee and an 

Independent Contractor for purposes of the Occupational 

Safety and Health Act? • It doesn’t matter how an individual is labeled by the salon 

owner. Instead, courts and agencies will look at a list of factors 

to determine whether you are an employee or an independent 

contractor.

• For example, if you: rent a station at a salon; purchase your own 

supplies and tools; have your own customers and set your own 

schedule and appointments; set your own rate and are paid by 

customers directly; and have your own business license, you may be 

more likely to be considered an independent contractor.

• However, if: the owner sets your work schedule; you are paid by the 

hour; the owner or receptionist makes the appointments for all the 

workers; you do not rent the space; the owner sets the rates paid by 

customers; and you use the owner’s tools and equipment, you may 

be more likely to be considered an employee.

Why does it matter? • Employers must provide protection against workplace hazards for 

their employees; independent contractors are responsible for their 

own occupational health and safety protection. Employees also 

have rights to a minimum wage, workers’ compensation, and other 

benefits. Independent contractors do not.

• Just because a salon owner tells you that you are an independent 

contractor, it does not mean that you are one. Just because an 

owner gives you an IRS form 1099 instead of a W-2 does not 

13
mean that you are an independent contractor. Salons sometimes 

misclassify the employment status of their workers to bypass taking 

protective safety and health measures, and to also deny benefits. 

That is why it is important for you to know the difference between 

what constitutes an employee and an independent contractor. If 

you need help, you can contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).

What are my rights as a worker? 

You have the right to working conditions that do not put you at risk 

of serious harm. OSHA also provides you with the right to:

• Ask OSHA to inspect your workplace; 

• Receive information and training about hazards, methods to 

prevent harm, and the OSHA standards that apply to your 

workplace. The training must be in a language you can understand;

• Get copies of test results done to find and measure hazards in your 

workplace; 

• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses; 

• Get copies of your medical records;

• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect your workplace if you 

believe there is a serious hazard or that your employer is not 

following the OSHA rules. When requested, OSHA will keep all 

identities confidential; and

• Use your rights under the law without retaliation or 

discrimination. Your employer cannot fire or punish you if you file 

a complaint.

For more information on workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, 

and other OSHA services, visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov and 

OSHA’s Workers page at www.osha.gov/workers.html. 

Contact OSHA 

For questions or to get information or advice, report an emergency, 

fatality or catastrophe, order publications, file a complaint, or request 

OSHA’s Free On-Site Consultation Program, contact your nearest 

office through OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov, or call 1-800-321-

OSHA (6742); TTY 1-877-889-5627. We will keep your information 

confidential. We are here to help you. 

Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands operate 

their own OSHA-approved safety and health program. For a list of 

all of the states and further information, please visit OSHA’s State 

Occupational Safety and Health Plans page at www.osha.gov/dcsp/

osp/index. 

14
For More Information

Resources on Chemical Exposures in Nail Salons

Nail Technicians’ Health and Workplace Exposure Controls,

NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topics, http://www.cdc.gov/

niosh/topics/manicure/?s_cid=3ni7d2fb082020111130am. Lists 

research and publications helpful to preventing injuries and illnesses 

while working in nail salons.

Controlling Chemical Hazards During the Application of Artificial 

Fingernails, NIOSH (Publication No. 99-112), http://www.cdc.gov/

niosh/docs/99-112/. Describes how workers can prevent some of the 

potentially harmful health effects of applying artificial fingernails.

Tips on Worker Safety, Labor Occupational Health Program 

(LOHP) and California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative. Provides 

general tips for staying safe and healthy while working in nail salons 

(English) (Vietnamese).

Safety and Health Hazards in Nail Salons, Oregon OSHA Fact 

Sheet Plus, http://www.orosha.org/pdf/pubs/fact_sheets/fs28.pdf. 

Describes the potential hazards of chemicals used in nail salons and 

what workers and nail salon owners can do to minimize exposure.

How to Be Safe at Work, Oregon Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative, 

http://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/pdf/pubs/4783e.pdf. Gives tips on 

how to prevent overexposure to chemicals in nail salons.

Summary of Data and Findings from Testing of a Limited Number 

of Nail Products, California Environmental Protection Agency, 

Department of Toxic Substances Control, http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/

PollutionPrevention/upload/NailSalon_Final.pdf. Report assessing 

chemical composition of a limited assortment of nail salon products.

Understanding the Toxic Trio: Protecting Yourself at Work,

California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative, http://www.

cahealthynailsalons.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Toxic_Trio_

EN_March2012.pdf. This brochure shares tips on how to protect 

yourself from the Toxic Trio at work. 

Safe Nail Salon Training, Boston Public Health Commission, 

http://www.bphc.org/programs/cib/environmentalhealth/

environmentalhazards/safenailsalons/Forms Documents/2010 

Safe Nail Salon Training-English.pptx. English language training 

presentation that teaches nail salon owners and workers how to 

recognize workplace hazards, protect health, make improvements to 

eliminate hazards, and properly use and store hazardous chemicals 

(English) (Vietnamese). 

15
Safe Nail Salons: Keeping You and Your Customers Healthy,

Boston Public Health Commission, http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=PksAPhmm15M&feature=player_embedded. Describes nail 

salon health and safety measures in video format (in Vietnamese with 

English subtitles). 

Healthy Practices for Nail Salons, King County Local Hazardous 

Waste Management Program, http://www.lhwmp.org/home/health/

nail-salons.aspx. Displays methods for improving health and safety in 

nail salons.

Will You Try These Ways to Protect Your Customers and Your 

Health?, King County Local Hazardous Waste Management 

Program, Environmental Coalition of South Seattle, and Community 

Coalition for Environmental Justice, http://www.lhwmp.org/home/

health/documents/Final_ENGweb.pdf. Gives a brief overview of 

several measures to protect nail salon workers’ health.

California Health Nail Salon Collaborative, http://www.

cahealthynailsalons.org/. The California Healthy Nail Salon 

Collaborative’s mission is to improve the health, safety, and rights 

of the nail and beauty care workforce to achieve a healthier, more 

sustainable, and just industry. This website lists research and 

outreach publications related to its mission.

Oregon Collaborative for Healthy Nail Salons, Oregon 

Collaborative for Healthy Nail Salons, http://www.

oregonhealthynailsalons.org/. Provides information and outreach 

publications related to its mission of improving the workplace health 

of nail salon workers.

Resources on How to Prevent Muscle Strains 

(Ergonomic Hazards)

Ergonomic Basics for Nail Salon Professionals, International 

Nail Technicians Association and Nail Manufacturers Council of 

the Professional Beauty Association, http://files.nailsmag.com/

Handouts/INTA_NMC_ErgonomicBasics.pdf. Gives basic tips on 

how to prevent aches and pains while working in nail salons.

Ergonomics Safety and Health Topics Page, OSHA, http://www.

osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html. Gives information about 

ergonomic hazards at work and how to reduce them.

Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders, NIOSH Workplace 

Safety and Health Topics, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/

ergonomics. Gives information about ergonomic hazards at work and 

how to reduce them.

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Resources on How to Prevent Exposure to Biological Hazards

Bloodborne Pathogens Safety and Health Topics Page, OSHA. 

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens. Gives 

information on the hazards of bloodborne diseases and how to 

prevent infection.

Bloodborne Infectious Diseases: HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, and 

Hepatitis C, NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topics, http://

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/bbp/. Gives information on specific 

bloodborne diseases and how to prevent exposure.

Selected EPA-Registered Disinfectants, EPA, http://www.cdc.

gov/niosh/topics/bbp/. Lists EPA-registered disinfectants that are 

effective against certain bloodborne diseases.

OSHA Worker Resources

OSHA’s Page for Workers, http://www.osha.gov/workers.html. 

Gives information on workers’ rights.

OSHA Regional and Area Offices, http://www.osha.gov/html/

RAmap.html. Gives contact information for OSHA Regional and 

Area Offices.

OSHA-Approved State Plans, http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/

index.html. Lists states with their own occupational safety and health 

programs, standards and policies.

NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program

Getting Help with Health Hazards

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 

is a federal agency that conducts scientific and medical research 

on workers’ safety and health. At no cost to employers or workers, 

NIOSH can help identify health hazards and recommend ways 

to reduce or eliminate those hazards in the workplace through its 

Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program.

Workers, union representatives and employers can request a NIOSH 

HHE. An HHE is often requested when there is a higher than 

expected rate of a disease or injury in a group of workers. These 

situations may be the result of an unknown cause, a new hazard, or a 

mixture of sources. To request a NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation 

go to www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/request.html. To find out more about 

the Health Hazard Evaluation Program:

• Call (513) 841-4382, or to talk to a staff member in Spanish, call 

(513) 841-4439; or

• Send an email to HHERequestHelp@cdc.gov.

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For more information

U.S. Department of Labor

www.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

Occupational

Safety and Health

Administration