Borough President Diaz Calls for New Letter Grade System for Salons & Spas

Nail Salons, Spas, Barber Shops and Similar Businesses Would be Covered by New System, Similar to Current System Covering NYC’s Restaurants

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is introducing legislation in the City Council that would create a new system of letter grades for cosmetology businesses, including nail salons, spas, barber shops, beauty parlors and other similar businesses throughout the five boroughs. The legislation will be introduced at the behest of Borough President Diaz by Council Member Rafael Espinal, chairperson of the City Council’s Consumer Affairs committee.

The new system will be modeled after the current letter grading system used by the Department of Health to monitor restaurants and food service establishments.

“While most salon and spa owners operate clean, reputable establishments, some do not, and they are putting the health and safety of their customers at great risk,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “The proposals we put forward today will go a long way towards ensuring that the people of this city have a clean and safe atmosphere to get their hair done, to get a manicure or pedicure, or any of the other practices typically found in spas and beauty establishments.”

In addition to creating a new letter grade and inspection system Borough President Diaz’s proposal also calls for the creation of a “Customer’s Bill of Rights,” which would be hung conspicuously in each establishment.

Borough President Diaz also introduced a resolution calling on the New York State Division of Licensing Services, which provides licensing for cosmetology professionals, to expand its health and safety training options.

The proposal comes in response to numerous reports of health and sanitation issues arising from dirty salons and spas. A 2013 report by Sara A. Walsh, titled “Beyond the Polish: An Examination of Hazardous Conditions in Nail Salons and Potential Solutions for the Industry in New York City,” noted that unsanitary salons can lead to a variety of hazards, including staph or MRSA, hepatitis, fungus and other infections.

Public Advocate Letitia James has also released a report, “How Safe is Your Nail Salon?,” which outlined safety hazards facing both customers and employees in nail salons, such as air quality issues created by chemicals used during manicures and pedicures, among other issues.

“The procedures used in many salons can almost be medical in nature, yet oversight of these businesses is very minimal. This new system will provide the consumer with necessary information they need to make informed choices about the safety of beauty salons, barbershops, spas and other similar businesses. The health and safety of the people of this city is our top priority, and these bills will go a long way towards protecting New Yorkers from unhealthy, potentially dangerous conditions,” said Borough President Diaz.