Media

By : Ibrahim Al-Hassani

 Last month, under the slogan (healthy tools for a good health) the General Directorate of Muscat Municipality executed in Mutrah El-Kubra a massive health campaign that addressed the owners of barbershops, those working in them, the tools used and clients in order to ensure applying the proper health practices and the extent to which these activities abide by the laws and regulations stipulated by the Municipality.

 The campaign included giving awareness lectures and workshops as well as providing guidance to the employees and clients of the barbershops, and making them aware of the health risks resulting from the negative practices which lead to the transmission of infectious diseases or damage to the skin and hair. In addition, the campaign aimed at making them aware of the diseases transmitted by the barber tools, their symptoms and ways to prevent them. The campaign also stressed the need to adhere to health standards and controls that are set by the municipality to ensure the provision of standard services that meet all the requirements of health and safety.

 255 barbershop activities of the second category were counted. They are dispersed across 19 shops in the Business District, 50 shops in Roy, 58 shops in Mutrah, 42 shops in Humairiyah, 42 shops in Al-Wadi Al-Kabir and 45 shops in Mutrah Al-Kubra.

The purpose of the campaign was to improve the health status of the barbershops, promote community awareness and publicize the dangers of the use of unclean barber tools and its role in the transmission of diseases. In addition, the campaign aimed at introducing possible alternatives, such as the disposable haircut tools, and the client`s need to have a private satchel for his tools as a preferable option for disease prevention. The campaign program plans to intensify field inspections and visits to barbershops, ensure compliance with health standards, analyze the practices, explain the proper sterilization of tools, and to pay attention to the hygiene of the place and workers. 

Alongside the campaign, scientific lectures on the healthy ways to practice hairdressing were given, in addition to broadcasting a film and a visual presentation in three languages (Arabic, English, Urdu) about the health errors that occur during practicing hairdressing and ways to avoid them. Guide leaflets and booklets were distributed.

The list of conditions issued by Muscat Municipality concerning practicing the activity of hairdressing (first and second category) makes it obligatory that shops be equipped with tables, suitable mirrors, faucets connected to a hot water source with detergents and antiseptics needed for cleaning the tools after every single usage. The shop must have enough hairdressing and shaving tools as well as sterilization tools identical to the standard specifications, one for each chair. The shop must also have a sufficient number of aprons and towels made of non-absorbent fabric while bearing in mind the necessity of keeping them constantly clean. It should, moreover, be equipped with three waiting chairs, one for each hair-dressing chair, clean white coats for the workers and a first aid kit containing all the necessary medical tools and supplies. The conditions stipulate that if the shop provides the services of hair dying or facial cleaning, it should have designated places for these services. 

Article (4) of the conditions list stated : The barbershops of the first category shall fulfill the health conditions concerning the waiting room in such a way that makes it in proportion to the size of work. It should be, at least, of the size of 16 square meters and be equipped with high-class decorations. The waiting chairs or lounges should be modern with high quality. The shops may be equipped with entertainment appliances such as tv sets. They should also provide cold water for drinking. .

 The health conditions regarding the hairdressing room stipulate that it should be of the size of, at least, 30 square meters with the possibility of dividing the room into independent-like sections and designate a section for each hairdressing chair. The hairdressing room must have a sufficient number of hairdressing chairs allocated in such a manner that allows the existence of interval spaces of 1.5 m. between the chairs. The shops must have one hair-washing machine or more and the may be supplied with a towel sterilization machine.

If a lavatory is added to the room, it should meet the conditions stipulated in the general health conditions list, and it should not be directly open to the hairdressing room.

The shops of the second category should be in proportion to the size of work and be, at least, of the size of 20 square meters. The interval space between the chairs should be at least 1.5 m. The interval space between the hairdressing chairs and waiting chairs should be at least 2 m. in the cases where the waiting chairs are located behind the hairdressing chairs. It is also allowed to add a separated waiting hall equipped with suitable seats.

 The list bans the usage of chemical products unless they are allowed by the competent authorities.