NYC Officials To Propose Letter-Grading System For Cosmetology Businesses
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There is a new push to create a letter-grading system for cosmetology businesses in the city.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and other officials unveiled a legislative package Wednesday aimed at cracking down on dirty salons and spas, CBS2's Ilana Gold reported.
The letter-grading, much like for restaurants, would affect nail salons, spas, barber shops, beauty parlors and similar businesses throughout the five boroughs.
The businesses would be graded based on cleanliness, safety, ventilation and other issues.
"If you're walking into a place, it'd be nice to know what to expect when you go inside," salon customer Jordan Brocato said.
Specific details of the legislation still need to be worked out, but backers tell CBS2 inspectors would make sure all equipment gets sanitized between clients, that workers use new nail files and razors for each customers and that all employees have licenses.
"That they're not going to get something that they didn't bargain for, which is a staph infection or hepatitis or some other infection," Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell.
Cleanliness is a top priority at the Essie flagship salon on the Upper East Side, Gold reported.
"It's not that difficult at all," Essie salon manager Josephine Allen said.
"I think its a great idea, they should be pursuing it," salon owner Sam Shriqui said.
But other salons are not as strict and put customers in danger.
"They have problems with their toes and hands, they get infections, and it's not good. It takes a long time to cure and to get over," one customer said.
Some nail salon owners tell CBS2 they don't like the idea; they wouldn't go on camera but say they worry if they make one mistake they'll get a bad letter grade and be put out of business.
"The ones that are not clean will just have to step up to the plate," Allen said.
A report released last September by New York City Public Advocate Letitia James called for more inspections, a safety study and better education for nail salon workers.
The report found that there are only 27 nail salon safety inspectors in the entire state of New York.
According to James, more than half of the 2,000 nail salons in New York City violated health laws from 2008 to 2012, CBS2's Emily Smith reported.
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