Risk Management: Smooth Operator

The time we have all been waiting for is finally here: busy season! With the warmer weather quickly approaching—or already underway, depending on your location—many tanning salons are beyond packed with tanners preparing for weekend getaways, beach vacations, barbecues and pool parties. No one wants to show up to these events with pale skin. They want to look tan, slim and young—and while indoor tanning isn’t the miracle cure for all those desires, it sure helps.

So with lines out the door and revenue flowing, what does an owner have to worry about? Quite a bit, actually. In fact, this is the season when insurance companies see more claims than you might expect. Now is the time to have your operations running smoothly, so follow these tips tos stay on top of the management of your salon at all levels.

Keep it clean. One of the most important steps for all employees is to be consistent in following cleaning procedures. Of course, your clients aren’t going to wait around forever and you want to get as many "butts in the beds" as you can, but neglecting cleaning is a major mistake. Always ensure that all rooms, beds, booths and other areas are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each and every session. That doesn’t mean just using a damp towel to wipe down the bed—make sure everything is properly sanitized. These tasks are a crucial step to prevent unnecessary exposures, protect your customers from disease and protect your reputation.

Perform regular "checkups." Equipment and lamp inspections are always important and even more vital during busy season since your equipment is getting used from open to close. As the number of sessions increases, so should the frequency of your inspections. Like a car, you should have a well-defined maintenance program for all equipment. Try creating a checklist that employees can use to keep track of the maintenance tasks, including a timeline of when and how often the tasks must be completed. If equipment is not maintained, the risk of injury will increase at the salon. Remember to check the filters, which need to be inspected and cared for on a regular basis. Filters are necessary in most high-pressure beds and facial units to prevent overexposure—the last thing you want to worry about is the risk of clients overexposing themselves because you didn’t change or update your filters.

Practice damage control. As soon as you or a staff member hears a complaint, evaluate the situation and respond promptly, especially if the complaint refers to salon operations or procedure. If you allow clients to tan without following necessary safety and cleaning procedures, your exposure to accidents skyrockets. Many equipment and lamp distributors will supply your salon with manuals on how to keep your salon sanitary and disinfected, and how to properly maintain your equipment. Bonus: These also are great guides to use when training new employees.

These are a few proactive policies that should be implemented in your salon. For more ideas on risk management techniques, call your insurance agent. They should be able to give you some helpful tips on how to run your operations smoothly during the busy season.