[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Mill Pond Salon is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all of our employees and guests. To continue providing a safe environment for anyone who enters Mill Pond Salon, we have created a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This Preparedness Plan is subject to change at any time in response to changes set forth by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Minnesota Board of Cosmetology Examiners (MNBCE), and the Minnesota State Government, as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The goal of this Preparedness Plan is to mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19 as much as possible, and all Mill Pond Salon employees are tasked with implementing this plan. By working together, we can establish and maintain the safety and wellness of our workplace and our guests.
The staff at Mill Pond Salon is our most valuable asset, and their safety and health is important to us. We are confident that they will follow the guidelines outlined in our Preparedness Plan as they have followed health and safety guidelines successfully in the past.
Our Preparedness Plan has included our employees by keeping an open line of communication throughout this pandemic. We are committed to keeping our staff informed and will keep them updated on any changes to the Mill Pond Salon COVID-19 Preparedness Plan as they occur. Employees are welcome to discuss any concerns regarding this Preparedness Plan with the salon manager.
The Mill Pond Salon COVID-19 Preparedness Plan follows the guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The guidelines regarding COVID-19 and Executive Order 20-48 address the following:
• Hygiene and respiratory etiquette
• Social distancing
• Customer and employee procedures for drop-off, pick-up, and delivery services
• Housekeeping policies, including cleaning, disinfecting, and decontamination
• Prompt identification and isolation of sick employees
• Communication and training provided to staff
• Management and supervision necessary to guarantee the successful implementation of the plan
Screening Policies for Employees Having Symptoms of COVID-19
Mill Pond Salon employees have been instructed to self-monitor for the symptoms of COVID-19.
Here are policies we have introduced to assess employees’ health before they enter the workplace:
- Every morning, all staff members will take their temperature before reporting to work and every night before bed. If our staff is unable to take their temperature at home, we are prepared to take their temperature before entering the salon.
- If an employee is feeling sick, they are expected to call and inform their supervisor. Any employee feeling sick will be mandated to stay home from work. Staff members know if they feel unwell at work, they will be promptly sent home.
- Mill Pond Salon’s personal leave policy allows for employees to stay home when members of their household are sick, or when mandated by a health care provider to isolate or quarantine.
- Mill Pond Salon staff members will not be relieved of their position because they are missing work due to illness.
- Accommodations for employees with underlying medical conditions or household members with underlying health conditions have been implemented. If an employee is concerned about themselves or an at-risk family member, they can stay home from work as they see fit.
- If a Mill Pond Salon employee has interacted with someone who has a positive COVID-19 diagnosis while at work, they will be notified of potential exposure.
- If an employee of Mill Pond Salon tests positive for COVID-19, all employees working with that staff member will be mandated to quarantine at home for at least two weeks. We have enacted a policy to protect the privacy of our employees regarding COVID-19. If a staff member has contracted COVID-19, they must inform their supervisor. The supervisor will inform all other staff members about the potential for exposure while maintaining the positive person’s anonymity.
- All of our employees have been sent a copy of the CDC COVID-19 Care Kit. They will use the information and resources to keep themselves and their community safe.
Handwashing
Infection prevention measures have been implemented at Mill Pond Salon. Staff members are required to wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and warm water frequently throughout the day per the CDC guidelines. Employees know they are to wash their hands often and will at a minimum wash their hands in the following circumstances:
- At the beginning and end of their shift
- Before and after mealtimes
- After using the restroom
- Before and after interaction with each client
- Before and after each drop-off or delivery interaction
- After coughing, sneezing, or touching their face
Upon arrival at Mill Pond Salon, we will ask all visitors to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer as a handwashing replacement.
To encourage proper handwashing, we provide multiple sinks equipped with hand soap for staff and guests at Mill Pond Salon. These sinks are located in the following rooms:
- Restroom
- Lash/facial room
- Microblading room
- Backroom (for staff members only)
Hand sanitizer is available in the following locations:
- The front desk
- Each stylist’s station
- Any other area appropriate or necessary
We will replace hand soap and hand sanitizer as it runs out. It is up to the staff to either refill or replace empty containers or notify the salon manager of the need to replace or refill.
Respiratory Etiquette: Cover your Cough or Sneeze
Mill Pond Salon will have signs to notify staff and guests of proper coughing etiquette throughout the building and entrance. The signs will say to cover their cough and wash their hands.
We’ll ask guests and employees to avoid touching their face and will remind them to throw tissues away immediately after use. Everyone must wash their hands after throwing the tissue away. These practices are encouraged by making tissues and trash receptacles easily accessible to all employees and visitors to the salon.
Social Distancing
Mill Pond Salon will practice social distancing at all times. Here are the ways we’ll comply with the social distancing requirements in the workplace:
- Mill Pond Salon will operate at the required occupancy as directed by local fire code
- Guests will be seen by appointment only (no friends or family members)
- Each operating station in use is six feet apart
- Employees will take turns using small spaces
- Staff and guests will wear masks at all times in the salon
- Staff will wear full-face shields AND masks when applicable as outlined by the State of Minnesota
We have taken steps to limit the number of people in the salon. Guests will no longer be allowed to wait for their appointment inside. Mill Pond Salon has removed the waiting room chairs, and guests will remain outside until their scheduled appointment. If an employee is running behind, they will contact their next appointment to notify them of their adjusted time.
Signs will be posted on the floor to inform employees and guests of space requirements for social distancing. All people, employees and guests alike, will be required to wear a face mask the entire time they are at Mill Pond Salon. Mask expectations will be briefed at the time they make an appointment and briefed upon arrival. Employees providing drop-off, pick-up, or delivery duties will be required to wear a mask.
Housekeeping and Cleanliness
Mill Pond Salon has proudly followed MNBCE cleanliness standards since opening. We are fully committed to following new sanitation, disinfecting, and cleanliness standards outlined in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Areas in the work environment will be cleaned and disinfected, including but not limited to:
- Restrooms
- Break rooms
- Lunchrooms
- Drop-off and pick-up locations
- Stylist stations
- Product inventory area
Mill Pond Salon staff members regularly clean and disinfect high-touch areas, such as:
- Phones
- Keyboards
- Touch screens
- Light switches
- Door handles
- Railings
- Office equipment
- Card readers
- Any area deemed necessary by staff or management
Mill Pond Salon has increased the time between guests to 15 – 30 minutes between each appointment, allowing time to complete thorough disinfection of tools and work stations. Mill Pond Salon has previously provided and will continue to provide each client with a clean cape and disinfected tools during their appointment.
Management at Mill Pond Salon requires each employee to complete COVID-19 Barbicide (a hospital-grade EPA registered disinfectant agent used in salons) disinfection training before returning to work. Requiring this training is to ensure Mill Pond Salon uses Barbicide properly and effectively to maintain the safety of the salon.
In areas where Barbicide cannot be used safely, disinfecting wipes will be used and provided by the salon for employees to use.
The workplace will be cleaned and disinfected:
- Before opening
- At closing time
- Before and after each client
- On-going while the salon is open
Additionally, Mill Pond Salon’s snack and coffee bar have been disassembled until further notice to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Purchasing Products
Mill Pond Salon employees will instruct guests on the proper procedure to purchase salon products either upon arrival for their appointment or on the phone if they call to inquire. We will notify guests about handwashing and mask policies before they will be permitted to enter Mill Pond Salon.
Our policy for purchasing salon products is the following:
Curbside Pick-up
- Guests who wish to buy salon products outside of an appointment time can view products, select what they wish to purchase, and pay for the products online to be picked up curbside at the designated time.
- Products for curbside pickup must be paid for by credit card in advance. They will be instructed to call the salon when they arrive and a Mill Pond Salon employee will deliver the bag of products to their car. Masks must be worn by both the customer and employee during the exchange.
In-store Purchase
- Guests who are in the salon for an appointment may purchase products during their appointment.
- A salon employee will sanitize the product inventory area after each client has completed their purchase, so it is safe for other guests.
Communications and Training
Mill Pond Salon’s Preparedness Plan was communicated to all employees during a Facebook group video call on 5/25/2020.
Additional communication and training will be ongoing via phone calls, text messages, and copies of this Preparedness Plan.
ANY EMPLOYEES WHO DID NOT RECEIVE THE INITIAL TRAINING ON THIS PREPAREDNESS PLAN WILL RECEIVE THE TRAINING BEFORE RETURNING TO WORK.
Supervisors will monitor the effectiveness of these new procedures weekly and will update procedures as required.
Management and staff will implement this program and update the training as necessary. This COVID-19 Preparedness Plan has been approved by Mill Pond Salon management. Management will update the Preparedness Plan as necessary according to the CDC, MDH, and OSHA guidelines and is committed to keeping our friends and families safe and beautiful.
Approved by: Paulina Wollschlager
Mill Pond Salon Owner[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]