Peluquería Elvira is a small hairdressing and beauty business in Villanueva de la Serena, Spain. Workers in this sector are commonly exposed to hazardous chemicals in, for instance, hair dyes, bleaches and shampoos. Such exposure can lead to skin and eye irritation, and respiratory problems. The company was inspired to improve working conditions for its employees — and become a ‘healthy hair salon’ — by the efforts of Esther Martí Barrios, a former hairdresser who has been developing ways of improving working conditions in the sector since she gave up her job in 2009 because of asthma developed as a result of workplace exposure to persulphates and heavy metals. By adopting the healthy hair salon philosophy, the company is committed to ensuring safe, healthy and Peluquería Elvira is a small hairdressing and beauty business in Villanueva de la Serena, Spain. Workers in this sector are commonly exposed to hazardous chemicals in, for instance, hair dyes, bleaches and shampoos. Such exposure can lead to skin and eye irritation, and respiratory problems. The company was inspired to improve working conditions for its employees — and become a ‘healthy hair salon’ — by the efforts of Esther Martí Barrios, a former hairdresser who has been developing ways of improving working conditions in the sector since she gave up her job in 2009 because of asthma developed as a result of workplace exposure to persulphates and heavy metals. By adopting the healthy hair salon philosophy, the company is committed to ensuring safe, healthy and sustainable working conditions and environmentally friendly practices that differentiate it from other salons in the market.
Level of Education: Continuing vocational education and training
