Heath, Safety & Violence Policy

 

Zero Tolerance

Aiken School of Cosmetology & Barbering has zero tolerance for any forms of violence or threats, offensive language or aggressive behavior, bullying, use of or possession of illegal substances or alcohol, possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, or any other dangerous weapon (any instrument that may be used to inflict bodily harm), theft and fraud. If anyone is suspected of any of these types of violations, they will be immediately suspended from school during an investigation. Once the investigation is complete and if the suspected party has been found to be in violation of the policy they will be terminated from the program. Future enrollments will not be approved.

Safety & Health Considerations

A cosmetologist or esthetician must possess hand-to-eye coordination and leg mobility in order to move about while performing services. Clients are shampooed by their stylist at the shampoo bowl, then moved and seated in an adjustable hydraulic styling chair. The stylist moves around the client as the service is performed. Persons unable to stand for long periods of time, or having limited mobility would have difficulty using regular shampoo bowls and hydraulic chairs. Manicuring and the application of artificial nails do not require standing or mobility. Clients are seated for the entire manicure or artificial nail application. The Esthetician program does not require a great deal of physical mobility, however; hand and finger strength is required for the massage portion of a facial skin service. Facial clients generally recline on an adjustable facial chair with the skin technologist seated at the client’s head. Make-up, cosmetic applications, and brow shaping are performed while the client is seated and the cosmetology professional is in a standing position. Instructors in this profession work a lot on their feet and long hours are required.

Hazardous Chemicals

On a daily basis, students and cosmetology professionals handle and store hazardous chemical solutions and products, which could burn the skin and scalp, damage hair, or produce dangerous fumes if not properly used, mixed, and stored. If a student is, or becomes pregnant at the time of enrollment, or while attending training, the school will require a written release from the student’s physician before the student is allowed to begin or continue their cosmetology training. (This policy is intended to protect both the student and the student’s unborn child.)

Allergic Reactions

The products, chemicals, and solutions routinely used by students and cosmetology professionals MAY cause allergic reactions. Students are instructed to follow all manufacturers’ instructions, to wear disposable gloves, and to protect their clothing by wearing their lab coats during ALL chemical operations. Should any type of allergic reaction occur, a student is required to immediately notify a staff member.

Your Feet and Legs

In order to work in the Cosmetology Profession, all students and cosmetology professionals must have the use of their feet and legs. In the future work environment, a cosmetology professional is expected to stand for long hours while performing services. 

To protect from any type of “career-ending” injury or permanent damage to feet and legs, students are advised to wear closed-toed shoes with socks, with non-skid soles, that have a reasonable heel height. 

Students and cosmetology professionals work on concrete or linoleum floors, and on a daily basis, they lift volume containers of shampoos and other products off shelves. To support the feet and legs and protect them from falls, slipping, or other injuries, students must wear appropriate footwear.

Skin and Clothing

Students and cosmetology professionals handle products and chemical disinfectants that can burn skin, enter the body, and damage clothing. To protect, prevent, and minimize the damage that can be caused by chemical spills, splashes, and to promote general cleanliness, students are required to wear protective smocks and to protect clients with protective aprons.

Physical Contact

Students and cosmetology professionals maintain close body contact with clients. During the performance of a service, skin and hair cells pass from the client to the student. A student MAY encounter a parasite or a contagious disease. A student may be exposed to human blood or other bodily fluids. Students are instructed to wear disposable gloves and their lab coats with the public, and to follow all safety procedures to ensure that a disease or parasite cannot infect the student or additional persons.

Electrical Appliances

Electrical appliances such as blow dryers and curling irons are used near sink and water areas. These appliances must be properly cared for and maintained so that an electrical shock is not produced. Students are not allowed to use any appliance with a frayed or “taped” cord. All electrical appliances must be plugged into grounded outlets. Electrical cords cannot be stretched across aisles.

Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) Policy

Students and parents or guardians of dependent minor students have the right to review a student’s educational records, to request amendment to student’s educational records, to provide consent prior to disclosure of personally identifiable information, and to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education regarding the failure of Aiken School of Cosmetology & Barbering to comply with FERPA.

1. Students and parents or guardians of dependent minor students may request access to their records from the school Owner/Director.

2. Records will be made available in the appropriate school office only on an appointment basis.

3. No personally identifiable information will be released to a third party without the written consent of a student or parent/guardian of a dependent minor student each time a record is requested unless it is:

a. To other school officials who have educational interest in the information.

b. To officials of another school where the student seeks or intends to enroll.

c. To representatives of the Comptroller General of the United States, the Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities.

d. To State officials if required by State Statute.

e. To organizations conducting studies for educational agencies or institutions to develop, validate, or administer tests, administer student aid programs, or improve instruction. No personally identifiable information will be released except to representatives of the organization, and the information provided to the organization will be destroyed when no longer needed for the study.

f. To parents or guardians of a dependent student.

g. To comply with a judicial order or subpoena.

h. To meet a health or safety emergency.

i. To accrediting agency(ies).

4. All disclosures of information will be recorded in the file and will include parties receiving information and the legitimate interest of the parties for inspection of the records.

Before publishing directory information such as a student’s name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended, the school allows the student or guardian to deny authority to publish one or more of these items.

Solicitation

No solicitors are allowed on Aiken School of Cosmetology & Barbering premises at any time or day. Violators will be reported to local authorities if necessary.

Weapons Policy

Weapons are not allowed on the premises, including the school building and cars parked on the premises. Anyone found to be in possession of any weapon, including but not limited to guns, knives, and stun guns, will be terminated from the program with no eligibility to be reinstated.

Accidents/Emergency Medical Care

If and when an accident occurs at Aiken School of Cosmetology & Barbering, medical assistance will be obtained if necessary. If an emergency medical situation arises, a plan of action will be taken up with the instructor and proper authorities will be notified. Emergency phone numbers are kept in the instructor’s office and at the front reception area for easy access. When an accident has occurred, a follow-up Accident Report form must be completed after all actions taken are complete. These forms are to be completed by an instructor and filed in the student or employee files located in the Administration office.

Emergency Procedures & Evacuation

Aiken School of Cosmetology & Barbering has emergency evacuation plans posted throughout the school building. Each student will be made familiar with his/her evacuation route, depending on the student’s work area.

BOMB THREAT:  In case of a bomb threat, the school building will be evacuated immediately. Instructors are responsible for making sure all students and clients are accounted for. The lead instructor is in charge of calling proper authorities.

FIRE: Fire drills are held on a regular basis. In case of a fire on the premises or in the school building, staff will make sure all students and clients are out and away from the building. Staff will then proceed to the nearest exit. The lead instructor is in charge of calling 911.

TORNADO: In case of a tornado, students and clients will be alerted. Building occupants will proceed away from windows, doors, and glass. Individuals are to gather in the classroom, hallway, or bathrooms. Staff will canvas the school area to make sure all students and clients are in the proper area.

HOSTAGE SITUATION: Remain calm. Cooperate with offenders.

ROBBERY: Safety comes first. In case of robbery, staff and students will cooperate with the offenders. When an opportunity arises, proper authorities will be called.

RAPE: If a rape situation should occur, the proper authorities will be called immediately. Any needed medical assistance will be obtained. The victim will be encouraged to seek proper counseling concerning the incident.

PROBLEM STUDENT OR CLIENT: If a problem situation arises with a student or a client, the instructor would first be called to resolve the problem. If the problem cannot be resolved at that point, the lead instructor will be consulted. If the problem is still unresolved, the School Director will be consulted. If a person is out of control, the School Director has the option of calling local law enforcement to have the person removed from the school premises.

I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE STATED RULES AND REGULATIONS IN THE AIKEN SCHOOL OF COSMETOLOGY & BARBERING SCHOOL CATALOG. I ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE RECEIVED A COPY AT THE TIME OF ENROLLMENT FOR MY OWN PURPOSES, AND WILL ABIDE BY THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

1. The student must make sure that his/her High School Diploma is translated to English if in another language. The South Carolina Board will not accept High School Diplomas in any other language. A state board-approved translation must be submitted to the school before the student’s start date.

2. Student lockers are for use only during the time the student is enrolled in the school. Once the student graduates or drops, the student has fourteen (14) days from his/her graduation/drop date to remove all items from the locker. After this period, anything left in the locker will be given away or thrown away.

3. The South Carolina Board also requires a $45 application fee to take the licensure at the time of application (price could vary).

4. The school will provide the initial SC Board “Eligibility Form for Approval” or Student Transcript free of charge. Any subsequent requests for the Approval Form or a Student Transcript will be for a charge of $100 per request.

5. Upon completion or withdrawal from the student’s program, the school will report the total number of the student’s completed hours to the SC Board of Cosmetology. The school sends a report of all student completed/withdrawn hours to-date to the SC Board before the 12th of every month.

6. Student agrees to allow the posting of student’s picture(s) on Facebook or other social media platforms taken on campus or at an official school-related event for the purposes of advertising the school, the classroom, and/or school social events.

Student Signature | Date

Please sign this form and return it to the admissions office. This form must be kept on file to acknowledge that you have read and agree to the policies and procedures outlined in the school catalog. 

The school reserves the right to update this catalog at any time during the student’s course of study.