The start of Phase 3 has been a little confusing for all of us! The WorkSafe BC restrictions for personal services went through some bizarre fluctuations over the past few weeks, but the end result seems to be pretty similar to what we were working with before. For easy reference, here is our updated list of guidelines, for clients and for staff.
CLIENT POLICIES
APPOINTMENTS:
Clients must book appointments in advance. Walk-ins likely will not be served. Appointment times have been extended to ensure thorough disinfection between clients. Customers wishing to purchase products will also need to book an appointment to do so, in order to eliminate cross-contamination risks during a service.
COVID-19 SYMPTOMS:
Clients experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within 14 days, must cancel their appointment and stay home. We do not charge cancellation fees.
Symptoms may include: fever, dry cough, fatigue, aches, diarrhea, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, difficulty breathing, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting
HOT TOWEL SHAVES & BEARD TRIMS:
Facial shaves/trims will not be available during this time, as it is a high-risk activity that cannot incorporate the use of masks.
MASKS:
Clients must wear a mask during their service, regardless of vaccination status. Homemade/cloth is fine. If clients do not own a mask, some disposable masks are available.
ENTRY:
If a client arrives early for their appointment, we ask that they remain outside of the shop until they are welcomed in. Upon entry, clients must wash their hands immediately or use the hand sanitizer at the entrance. We encourage clients to do the same on their way out.
FOOD & DRINKS:
Please do not eat in the shop, and bring your own covered beverage if needed. We have temporarily shut down the public use of our water cooler.
FRIENDS & FAMILY:
Though we would normally encourage clients to bring their loved ones, we ask that our clients attend their service alone if they are able.
SOCIAL DISTANCING:
Please be mindful of remaining 6ft away from others in the shop whenever possible. A safe radius has been marked on the floors around work stations. Clients should not engage in handshakes, hugs, etc.
HAIR WASHES:
If clients are receiving a hair wash, they should not speak unless absolutely necessary while face-to-face with their service provider.
PRODUCTS:
We are removing testers for the hair products from public reach. Please ask for assistance.
| SUMMER 2021 update: Patrons are now invited to try binders on again, but they must be laundered if worn and not taken home. |
RESOURCES:
At this time, all books, pamphlets, and business cards have been put away. Resources and referrals will be distributed via email only. Please submit questions for our staff via email/our website’s contact form.
PAYMENT:
We have a plexiglass sneeze guard on our reception desk to ensure safe separation. We encourage the use of touchless payment options (Interac Flash, Apple Pay, etc.), or cash in exact change. Clients may be required to touch our iPad’s screen for tip options or emailed receipts (iPad screen will be cleaned between payments). Clients may also tip in cash, waive your receipt, or ask their service provider for assistance.
SERVICE PROVIDER POLICIES
TRAINING:
In order to return to work, staff must complete or renew their Barbicide certification, BeautySafe Level 1: General Trade Practices certification, and BeautySafe Level 2: Hairstyling certification.
COVID-19 SYMPTOMS:
Staff experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within 14 days, must stay home until they are definitively well. Please cancel your own appointments for the day, or ensure that someone at the shop has cancelled them for you. (Cancel 24+ hours in advance whenever possible!)
PPE:
Staff must wear masks while providing services, regardless of vaccination status. Big Bro’s Barbershop is providing optional cloth masks, face shields, nitrile gloves, and barber jackets for staff use. It is recommended that staff cover their street clothes and launder their barber jacket or smock at the end of each work day.
HAND WASHING:
Staff must wash hands before and after each client, before and after using nitrile gloves, after handling cash, after accepting deliveries, or any other activity that could promote cross-contamination.
SINGLE-USE ITEMS:
Staff must use a disposable Sanek neck strip between each client’s neck and their cape. Tissues or paper towels must be used in place of neck brushes to remove debris from the client’s face and neck. Any single-use razors are to be disposed of immediately after use into a sharps bin.
| SUMMER 2021 update: As it has become clear since 2020 that COVID-19 is spread more through air particles than contact with surfaces, we will be allowing some wiggle-room for eco-friendliness. Disposable paper towels must still be used when washing hands, as that was a pre-pandemic requirement. Non-disposable items must be washed after each potentially-contaminating use. |
BARBICIDE:
Staff must properly mix Barbicide solution at the start of their day. Barbicide must be changed out at the end of the day. Each staff member has their own Barbicide jar provided by Big Bro’s Barbershop.
Barbicide solution:
– 32oz water
– 2oz Barbicide concentrate
SANITIZATION:
Between clients, staff must:
– clean all of their tools in soap and water and dry with a paper towel;
– fully immerse tools in Barbicide for 10 minutes and dry with a paper towel;
– store tools in a disinfected, airtight container, freshly sanitized for use with the next client.
Staff must also disinfect their station, salon chair, non-critical reused items (hair dryer, spray bottle, clippers), reception iPad and desk, doorknobs, sink faucets, soap dispensers, and bathroom (if used) between clients. Tools must be provided by each worker; sanitization supplies are provided by Big Bro’s Barbershop.
TOOL SHARING:
Unless absolutely necessary, workers should not touch or borrow tools from neighbouring stations. If a tool is borrowed, ensure it is meticulously disinfected before returning it to its station.
HAIR WASHES:
If a client is receiving a hair wash, staff should not speak unless absolutely necessary while face-to-face with their client. Used hair towels are to be immediately placed into the laundry bin, away from the styling area.
PAYMENTS:
Staff should accept payment from behind the plexiglass sneeze guard on the reception desk.
SOCIAL DISTANCING:
Schedules are being rearranged to ensure that staff will not be cramped within 6ft of each other’s work stations. Staff should not engage in handshakes, hugs, etc.
FOOD & DRINKS:
Staff should keep food and drink within a small, contained area whenever possible, to ensure easy cleanup and sanitization. Any food stored in the fridge should be sealed, and not touched by other workers.
LAUNDRY:
Used towels and capes must be laundered at the end of each work day. Workers may also wish to launder their barber jacket or other covering in preparation for their next shift.
Thank you for your cooperation during these difficult times!
