Hairdresser and Barber Byelaws

Byelaws as to Hairdressers and Barbers made by the Reading Borough

Council under Section 77 of the Public Health Act 1961.

1.         (ii) In these Byelaws unless the context otherwise requires

“Businesses” means a hairdressers’ or barbers’ business;
“Premises” means premises on which a business is carried on;
“Day” means a day on which business is carried on.

(ii) The Interpretation Act 1978 applies to the interpretation of these Byelaws as it applies to the interpretation of an Act of Parliament.

2. For the purpose of securing the cleanliness of premises a person carrying on the business in those premises shall comply with the following provisions:

(a) All internal walls, partitions and ceilings shall be capable of being kept clean and shall be kept clean and in good repair;

(b) The floor and any covering shall be kept in good repair, and shall be cleaned at least once a day and swept as necessary to prevent the accumulation of hair clippings, neck wool or other litter;

(c) All such sweepings and all other litter shall be placed in suitable covered receptacles which shall be emptied at least once a day and as necessary, and kept clean;

(d) Every chair or seat shall be kept clean;

(e) Every shelf, table, cabinet, wash basin, and other fitting shall be kept clean.

(iii) Any items of equipment and metal instruments likely to come into contact with the customer shall be adequately clean;

(iv) Any hairbrush or comb, or similar instrument shall be clean;

(v) Any soap in solid form shall have been adequately rinsed;

(b) A fresh supply of water shall be used for purposes of shaving, shampooing or washing each customer, and all articles used for purposes of shaving (including any styptic in solid form) shall be adequately cleaned immediately before and after use;

(c) Adequate facilities shall be provided for the purposes of any cleaning required to be carried out in pursuance of this Byelaw.

3. For the purpose of securing the cleanliness of instruments, towels materials and equipment used in premises, a person carrying on the business on those premises shall comply with the following provisions:-

(a) Immediately before use in connection with any customer –

(i) Any gown, wrap or other protective clothing shall be clean;

(ii) Any paper or other covering placed on the back of the chair and any towel, cloth, hairnet, neck wool or other article which is applied to the face, neck or head shall be clean and shall not previously have been used in connection with any other customer unless it consists of a material (other than a paper or neck wool) which can be and has been adequately cleaned;

4. For the purpose of securing the cleanliness of hairdressers of barbers working on premises in regard to both themselves and their clothing:

(a) No such hairdresser or barber shall attend to any customer unless;

(i) His hands are clean;

(ii) He is wearing a clean and washable overall;

(iii) He keeps any open boil or sore on an exposed part of his body effectively covered by an impermeable dressing;

(b) Every person carrying on a business on premises:

(i) Shall take all reasonable steps to secure compliance with the foregoing provisions of this Byelaw by the hairdressers or barbers working on such premises;

(ii) Shall provide and maintain in addition to those wash hand basins used for hairdressing suitable and sufficient wash hands basins for hair dressing staff with supplies of hot and cold or warm running water, soap and clean towels.

5. Any person who offends against any of these Byelaws shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £50.00.

The forgoing Byelaws with the exception of Byelaw 1(ii) are confirmed the Secretary of the State of the Environment and shall come into operation on 24th August 1981.