How to Practice Massage Safety on the Job? Each type of job has certain aspects that you need to take into consideration from a risk perspective.
One of the most important is that the work timings should be suitable for you.
In addition to this, you may also have to consider the nature of the job, potential hazards while working, etc.
Like any other profession, the massage therapy profession also has many things that you should keep in mind.
Most of these aspects relate to your personal safety on the job.
This is because massage therapy involves close interaction with clients, and you have to take steps to keep yourself safe from potential injuries and infections.
Of course, you have to consider the client’s safety as well.
In some cases, clients may cross certain boundaries, which could pose a dangerous situation.
Here are a few steps that you should take to ensure a safe working environment for you and your clients:
Operating a Massage Practice from Your Home
One of the worst things a massage therapist can do is to treat patients at home.
This causes many problems in terms of privacy, among other things.
First of all, you may not be able to impose a practice schedule or working hours at home.
In certain cases, the clients can be extremely persuasive and could schedule appointments at odd hours.
If you have a separate facility for your practice, an automatic boundary may be set.
The client will not have any choice but to schedule an appointment during operating hours.
Secondly, some clients may cross certain personal and professional boundaries during a massage.
If you are at a facility, you may have colleagues who can assist you in such cases.
Moreover, it is not ideal that every client knows where you live.
In fact, you should keep your business separate from your personal life.
Third, you may be violating laws of your city/county without even knowing it.
Residential areas cannot operate businesses in most cases.
Record Retention of Client Information – Massage Safety
Every time you get a client, you should make a note of it.
Moreover, you should maintain a record of their contact details.
Additionally, you should also record the time and date the client came in along with the services they acquired.
There are quite a few reasons for this.
Firstly, should you ever need to provide details about your client to the relevant authorities; you will have every record of it.
Moreover, you may be able to maintain a good service level, spot areas of improvement and figure out which services are popular.
Of course, if you have any important news for your clients, such as a discount, you can contact them.
But be sure to get their approval prior to using their information for promotional purposes
Managing Your Work Hours – Massage Safety
You should always maintain strict working hours.
You should be punctual in opening your facility and should operate it during business hours only.
Moreover, you should ensure that you are not working after-hours.
Working after dark is fraught with risks.
As you begin receiving clients you should draw certain professional boundaries with them.
This will make sure that they do not insist on making exceptions regarding massage appointment timings.
This is an essential aspect of maintaining your personal safety.
Being Equipped with Protective Items
This is one area that you should concentrate on whether you are practising massage therapy at a facility or maintaining your own practice.
In addition to this, you should encourage your employees or colleagues to do the same.
However, you have to make sure that the protective items you keep are not lethal.
An item you can keep is a pepper spray.
In the event, you feel threatened by a client, or anyone else, you can use the spray to ensure your safety.
Of course, you can also work with a non-lethal stun device.
Another item to ensure your personal safety is a panic button. If you are a massage therapist.
You should keep one or all of these self-defence products with yourself or at your facility.
You never know what kind of a client you may come across.
However, do make sure that the items you use are legal in your area.
Quality of Products – Massage Safety
Massage therapy involves using lotions and essential oils directly onto the client’s skin.
This is why you should ensure that the products you purchase are of the best possible quality. Also, make sure that you are buying these products from a reputed seller or dealer.
This is because there are many counterfeit products that are being sold.
Even if the products are not counterfeit, you should maintain a certain quality when it comes to lotions and oils.
In most cases, inferior quality products have side effects because of certain ingredients they use.
Buying quality products from reputed or certified dealers and sellers could ensure that you are getting top quality products.
This could keep your clients safe and happy with your service.
If you are in doubt about a product’s ingredients, you should consult The Human Toxome Project.
They could provide you with sufficient information regarding the side effects of certain ingredients.
Maintaining a Sterile Environment
You will be dealing with various types of customers and waste products.
In such conditions, there is a risk of contamination.
Firstly, you should ensure that the premises are sterile and free of bacteria.
In addition, you should have the necessary resources to deal with other possible contaminations.
Make sure that you always use rubber gloves to handle various waste products.
Also, make sure that you have a healthy supply of clean towels and sheets.
Of course, you have to carry disinfectants as well.
Keeping Good Ventilation Systems – Massage Safety
The first thing that the client notices when entering your facility is the environment.
If a massage facility houses foul odour or pungent smells, they are less likely to get a massage there.
Therefore, you should have a top-notch ventilation system.
Consider installing air purifiers, dehumidifiers, etc. to improve the quality of air within the facility.
In some cases, there are certain odours that may not go away with air purifying or conditioning.
This is why you should have windows to let out the pungent odour.
Prior to beginning your own practice, you should consult with a specialist in ventilation to ensure your facility maintains a pleasant ambience.
Overall Arrangement of the Massage Facility
The most important thing to ensure is the physical safety of your clients.
This is why you should arrange your facility to promote the maximum safety.
While dim lit atmospheres suit the Massage Safety environment, make sure adequate lighting exist in common areas and walkway passages.
For example, avoid installing shelves where clients pass by.
This may keep the clients from getting hurt.
Of course, you have to ensure there are no water leaks or any other similar risk of injury to a client.
If a client gets seriously injured, not only can you lose business and tarnish your reputation.
But you may also have to face a serious lawsuit.
These tips could prove to be helpful whether you are working as a massage therapist or have your own practice.
Such measures may keep both you and your clients safe.
We hope you found these helpful.
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