Campaign for compulsory barber and hairdresser licensing

Barbers across the UK are calling for greater regulation of barbers and hairdressers, at a time when Parliament is considering cutting back on Health and Safety ‘red tape’. In an interview on BBC Radio 4’s ‘You and Yours’, Mike Taylor of the British Barbers Association presented the case for greater regulation in the hair profession, citing both economic and safety arguments.

The programme spoke to a London barber, who had been in business for 37 years[1]. The barber complained that, across London, new barber shops and hair salons were springing up on a daily basis, often employing staff who had no qualifications and very little training. These new salons have been offering haircuts at cheaper rates than established barbers, leading to financial difficulties for many older salons who struggle to compete. Mike Taylor said that this is a problem across the UK and argued that this was unfair on qualified and well-trained barbers, whose prices reflect the quality of service offered.

The problem goes beyond that of economic competition, however. There is also the problem of safety to consider. Mike Taylor pointed out that cases of hairdresser’s negligence are rampant across the UK, with established barber shops and hairdressers often having to correct the mistakes made by their less qualified counterparts. Many of these injuries are caused by unqualified individuals in barbershops and hair salons, something which the British Barbers Association wants to rectify.

Although the British Barber’s Association offers its own accreditation scheme, as does the UK Hairdressing Council, these are both currently voluntary schemes, with no mandatory regulation existing for barbers or hairdressers. The BBA argues that the accreditation scheme ‘sorts the wheat from the chaff’ and helps to stamp out any negligent practice[2]. It is also pointed out that licensing is compulsory across the rest of Europe and in the USA. There are, however, currently no current plans to introduce legislation or licensing for barbers.

The BBA is working closely with David Morris, the Conservative MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, who used to work as a hairdresser before entering politics. Morris argues that it is ‘dangerous and wrong’ that ‘anybody can just open a hairdresser’s shop and go about cutting and dying people’s hair, using corrosive chemicals without any training or licensing’[3]. Morris tabled a motion in Parliament in 2011 for compulsory registration and licensing to be introduced, a motion that was unfortunately defeated in Parliament[4].

The renewed focus on hair licensing issues comes at an interesting time, when the government is considering cutting back on health and safety legislation in the workplace[5]. Arguing that ‘red tape’ has gotten out of control, the government hopes to significantly reduce the amount of bureaucracy associated with health and safety practices. This would mean that many small businesses, including barbers and hairdressers, would not face as many stringent inspections as in the past. Mike Taylor argued that their campaign was ‘not about red tape, but about big health and safety issues’. In an environment that uses blades and chemicals on a daily basis, greater regulation should be in place to reduce the chances of a serious accident occurring. Licensing barbers and hairdressers would be one step towards solving the problem of hairdresser’s negligence.

Winter car accident claims

The onset of winter brings with it increasingly harsh weather conditions that can prove perilous to drivers. Not only affected by heavy rain and strong winds, snow, ice and hail all create hazardous driving conditions during the winter months. The number of reported car accidents usually rises over winter, particularly if the roads have been affected by snow and ice, as they have been in the UK over the past three years.

Snow covered and icy roads will always cause problems for drivers; however the majority of winter accidents occur not because of the roads themselves, but because of the carelessness of other drivers. Newly qualified drivers in particular do not necessarily realise how dramatically different winter driving can be, often resulting in crashes and collisions with other vehicles. If a car crashes into you because of icy road conditions or winter weather then you may be entitled to compensation.

The most common cause of winter car accidents is when drivers do not reduce their speed in the winter weather. In icy conditions this can easily cause a driver to skid and crash into another vehicle. This is a particular problem when approaching junctions or going round bends. Often when snow covers the road drivers do not realise that there is ice underneath, causing further skids and crashes. Similarly, a lack of awareness about increased stopping distances during snowy and icy weather can make a car crash into the back of another vehicle.

Dark evening and winter weather can cause serious visibility issues for drivers. If drivers do not switch on their headlights during falling snow or hail, collisions can easily occur. Crashes have also been known to happen when drivers have their headlights on full beam because of the bad weather, causing other drivers to be dazzled and lose control of their vehicle.

It is extremely important that drivers take particular care of their vehicle during the winter months. Worn down tyres can easily cause cars to skid and crash. Failure to clear all snow and ice from windows, headlights and mirrors also increases the risk of accidents: the driver will not be able to see as clearly, whilst other drivers may not spot the vehicle in time to stop safely. Drivers also need to be aware that around the Christmas period there is an increased danger of drink-driving, a hazard that becomes even more dangerous when combined with icy roads and poor visibility. If you have been injured in a winter car accident that wasn’t your fault then you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

Compensation from your winter accident claim can help pay for any medical treatment needed, repairs to your car and provide financial reassurance if you have had to take time off work as a result of your accident. At Macks, our lawyers have vast experience in dealing with winter car accident claims. We will deal with your claim on a ‘no win no fee’ basis: all of our costs will be recovered from the other side, meaning that you will keep 100% of the compensation. In the unlikely event that your claim is unsuccessful, we will write off all of our costs so that you will not have to bear the burden of legal fees.

Winter will always present hazards for drivers on the roads. Rest assured that, should you suffer injuries because of another driver’s lack of care, we are here to help recover the compensation you deserve.

For more information on making a winter car accident claim, please call us on 0800 980 9388, or fill out the claim form on our website.

Case Study: The Tripping Accident – Doreen’s Accident

Case Study: Car Accident Claim – Jonathan’s Accident

Case Study: The Slipping Accident – Christine’s Accident

Case Study: Trip and Fall Claim – Tom’s Accident

Tom suffered an injury to his right ankle when he stepped from the kerbside onto an eroded area of tarmac.  Tom’s ankle twisted over and he fell into the road.  Tom’s injury was serious and he required immediate hospital treatment.  A cast was placed onto Tom’s ankle and was not removed until seven weeks later.  Following removal of the pot, he continued to suffer ongoing symptoms.

Macks – the trip and fall claim specialists

Tom contacted Macks. A member of the Macks personal injury team was able to tell Tom that the Council had acted negligently in several ways:

1. Failing to maintain or repair the road and with a result that the same was in a condition which was dangerous to persons lawfully using the same.
2. Causing or permitting the road to be or to become or to remain a danger and a trap to persons lawfully using the same in that it was broken, worn and hazardous to pedestrians.
3. Failing to take any or any adequate or timely measures to maintain or repair the road so as to make the same reasonably safe for persons lawfully using it when it ought to have been known that the surface was in a dangerous condition.

Liability for the defendant’s negligence was admitted and compensation for Tom was settled at £4,850.

Tom was absent from work for seven weeks following his accident and lost earnings.  In addition to recovering compensation for Tom’s injuries, Macks specialists also considered a claim for out of pocket expenses he had incurred, including his loss of earnings.  Tom’s lost earnings were recovered in full by Macks specialists.  Macks guarantee to all clients that they will  keep 100% of their compensation and Tom was no exception to this.

Making a trip and fall claim

Macks provide a quality, caring service for all personal injury victims. To find out more about making a trip and fall claim, please telephone 0800 980 9390. Alternatively, you may wish to complete the 30-second claim form.

Please note that in the interests of preserving our clients’ privacy, we alter some factual details, including names. The report is, however, based on a real case.

Case Study: Slip and Fall Claim – Kenny’s Accident

Kenny was walking across a public car park at a shopping precinct. It was raining at the time and Kenny’s left foot slipped on wet ground and fell into a pothole which was present in the car park surface.  Kenny sustained a sprain to his left ankle and it took some time for his symptoms to resolve.

Macks – the slip and fall claim specialists

Kenny contacted Macks. A member of the Macks personal injury team was able to tell Kenny that the land owner had acted negligently in several ways:

1. Failing to maintain or repair the car park and with a result that the same was in a condition which was dangerous to persons lawfully using the same;
2. Causing or permitting the car park to be or to become or to remain a danger and a trap to persons lawfully using the same in that it was broken, worn and hazardous to pedestrians; and
3. Failing to institute or enforce any or any adequate system for the inspection and maintenance of the car park whereby the defects might have been detected and repaired.

Liability for the defendant’s negligence was admitted and compensation for Kenny was settled at £4,750.

Kenny was delighted with the award of compensation recovered for him and in addition to Kenny receiving compensation for his injury, he also received out of pocket expenses he had incurred as a result of the accident.  Macks allow clients to keep 100% per cent of their compensation and Kenny was no exception to this.
Making a slip and fall claim

Macks provide a quality, caring service for all personal injury victims. To find out more about making a slip and fall claim, please telephone 0800 980 9390. Alternatively, you may wish to complete the 30-second claim form.
Please note that in the interests of preserving our clients’ privacy, we alter some factual details, including names. The report is, however, based on a real case.

Case Study: Trip and Fall Claim – Janice’s Accident

On the night of her accident Janice had gone out after work with a colleague.  As she walked out of the Defendant’s public house she fell into a cellar opening in the pavement.  She sustained a severe injury to her knee.

Unbeknown to Janice the public house was having a beer delivery.   Unfortunately there were no barriers or anything to prevent Janice falling into the hole.

Macks – the fall claim specialists

Janice contacted Macks.    A member of the Macks Personal Injury Team was able to tell Janice that the public house owed duties under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 to ensure that their premises were reasonably safe for use.   Further, where there cellar door opened onto a public pavement they owed a duty to ensure that when it was in use and open passers by were kept reasonably safe.   Insufficient precautions had been taken to prevent Janice falling into the hole.

Liability for the Defendant’s negligence and breach of statutory duty was admitted and compensation for Janice was settled at £15,000.

Janice’s case is representative of nearly all of our personal injury claims in that it did not progress to Court.      Less than 1 in 300 of claims handled by Macks progress to Court, with most Defendants accepting the cases put forward by our team of legal experts.

Making a fall claim

Macks provide a quality, caring service for all personal injury victims.   To find out more about making a trip and fall claim, please telephone 0800 980 9390.   Alternatively, you may wish to complete the 30 second claim form.

Please note that in the interests of preserving our clients’ privacy, we alter some factual details, including names. The report is, however, based on a real case. 

Case Study: Road Traffic Accident Claim – The Smith’s Accident

Mr and Mrs Smith were travelling in their vehicle and were stationary at a junction when a vehicle collided with the rear of their vehicle.  Mr and Mrs Smith both suffered whiplash injuries and in addition to whiplash, Mrs Smith also suffered a fracture to her sternum and psychological symptoms.  Mr Smith made a speedy recovery from his injuries however, those injuries suffered by Mrs Smith were more serious and longer lasting.

Macks – the road traffic accident claim specialists

The Smith family contacted Macks. A member of the Macks personal injury team was able to tell them that the other driver had acted negligently in several ways:

1. Driving too fast;
2. Failing to keep any or any proper look out; and
3. Colliding with the rear of their vehicle.

Liability for the defendant’s negligence was admitted.  Mr Smith received compensation in the sum of £2,600 and Mrs Smith received compensation in the sum of £6,150.  The compensation awarded to Mrs Smith reflected the seriousness of her injury, in comparison to her husband’s.

The Smiths’ vehicle was damaged in the accident and in addition to resolving the Smiths’ personal injury claims, Macks were able to organise for the vehicle to be inspected and the relevant repairs to be performed.  During this time, The Smiths would have been without a vehicle however, Macks were able to arrange vehicle hire for The Smiths.  It is Macks’ aim to put the client’s in the position they would have been in, both physically and financially, had the accident not occurred and The Smiths were delighted that Macks personal injury team sorted out all aspects of their claims.   At the end of the claim, The Smiths were awarded 100% of their compensation, as is the case for all Macks’ personal injury clients.

Making a road traffic accident claim

Macks provide a quality, caring service for all personal injury victims. To find out more about making a road traffic accident claim please telephone 0800 980 9390. Alternatively, you may wish to complete the 30-second claim form.

Please note that in the interests of preserving our clients’ privacy, we alter some factual details, including names. The report is, however, based on a real case.

Case Study: The Product Liability – Paul’s Accident