magnumpi

There's a big gap between using the same razor to shave some ones hairy toes and a construction worker falling into a badly sided trench?

Construction is one of the countries most dangerous jobs

NavyBoy

I was having this conversation with someone the other day (he is actuary and was comparing industry related deaths in similar countries - wish I had worked hard at maths seeing the house he has).

Seems Canada and US are difficult to compare to EU countries on the whole, especially the UK. Down to high risk industries. So in Canada there are a greater percentage of the workforce in high risk jobs (fishing, mining, logging and construction being the top four) and thus tend to report more "by percentage" deaths.

Novocastrian

I think all these other posters are being unhelpful and that you make a serious point.

I know that when my wife went for a Nail job in Toronto, she noticed that several of the nails were rusty!!

I did a bit of research and reported this travesty to the OCEH.*

* the Ontario Commission for the Eradication of Humour.

HGerchikov

The place I worked in the UK had arrows on the floor indicating the route to be taken to and from the coffee machine. I was shocked that my Canadian office was not similarly equipped. I am amazed that the company can operate with such blatant disregard for the risk of beverage related incidents.

Piff Poff

[QUOTE=Nicholas7;11572959]Thank you all for all your wonderful enlightening comments.

It has been an eye opener in more than one way. I also learned that some us are lot more cleaver / wiser than the medical professional.

I hope this discussion continues and will be helpful to some ...

Some interesting read:
Manicure, spa and tattoo health violations disclosed | Toronto Star
Nail salons should be regulated, says Toronto’s medical officer of health | Metro
[url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/dirty-pedicures-the-ugly-side-of-pretty-feet-1.414444]Dirty pedicures: The ugly side of pretty feet | CTV News[/url

Withabix - thank you. It is very useful.[/QUOTE


For what it's worth I think you have valid concerns, I however dont know where you would go to highlight this concern.Are you sure the blade wasnt disenfected before being used on you? IMO anything that is being used close tothe skin that has a risk of cutting or spreading infections should be sterilised between uses. After all if it were a tattoo parlour...

I dont think there is enough regulation for salon and spa services.

Novocastrian

FFS. He was getting his sideburns shaved (whatever they are). Does he expect a barber to throw away or sterilize a hair trimmer or scissors after each haircut?

MB-Realtor

Its a wonder that this forum ever gets new members who stay for more than a few posts.

You've got to have a thick skin to stay and post here.

scrubbedexpat091

I am 35, been getting hair cut in US/Canada for almost the same amount of time, many of those years (13 on) with barbers using razors and haven't been infected yet. The razors and combs have always been kept in some sort of blue liquid, I assume its some sort of cleaner.

This is the stuff:

Barbicide Concentrate | Salon Disinfectant | Barbicide

and it's usually in this sort of jar:

Barbicide Jars | Barbicide

and is effective in killing:

Proven effective against HIV-1, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Staphylococcus (including MRSA), Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Clostridium Difficile (C.Diff), Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE), Herpes, Influenza (including H1N1), “Athletes Foot” (TineaPedis)


I can't say I have ever been to a barber shop that didn't have this jar of blue liquid and kept their razors in it when not in use.

Novocastrian

A fine assertion only failing in the face of obvious reality.

colchar

You cannot compare the two because of the high risk jobs in Canada. To do so would be to compare apples to oranges.

That being said, at least here in Canada we do not let someone who has fallen down a shaft die because health & safety rules dictate that the safety equipment only be used to save firefighters, not members of the public:

Mineshaft death woman's family vow to continue fight for justice | Herald Scotland


Nor do we have 25 fire fighters being told that a three foot deep pond is too dangerous for them:

25 firefighters turn up to save drowning gull, but 3ft deep pond is deemed 'too dangerous' - London - News - London Evening Standard


And we don't have officers standing by while kids drown without at least trying to help:

Wigan boy drowned as police community support officers 'stood by' | UK news | The Guardian


We also don't call in specialist teams from miles away to go into a fifteen foot ditch while a man is drowning in the 18" if water at the bottom of it:

Policemen no longer need to be able to swim, inquest told - Telegraph

Piff Poff

Yes! Ig should go at least in that barbicide stuff

BristolUK

Yes, I said that. Does it account for 14 times as many?

Some are made high risk though...like the roofers with just a plank to walk on.

I'm sure I could find similar examples of what you linked to in Canada...and perhaps the associated lawsuits when things aren't done properly.

colchar

Most likely, yes.




Be my guest.

Juggernaut1064

I have used "Cut throat" razors in barbers here in MB an ON (Toronto) they have to be sterilized between uses the same as medical equipment.
if you don't like that idea then never have an operation !
A simple request when you enter a barber and they would tell you how the blades are sterilized the same with other establishments your wife may use.
Likely the none response from the Dept's you have called is because they aren't interested as cleaning blades isnt just about the big bad diseases its about general hygiene etc so you don't get nasty skin infections and it's basic Health & Hygiene here and in the UK. Haven't you noticed the jars of disinfectant that combs and scissors are in at hair dressers ? Same thing it kills anything on them and will do the same with a razor blade.

Almost Canadian

Are you suggesting that increased health and safety regulations that are made to ensure that incidents are kept to a minimum are a bad thing?