Cosmetic manufacturing is a major industry in Canada. Products in this category are not limited to makeup, but also include all types of hair products from shampoo to colouring; skin products from sunscreens to moisture creams; dental products from toothpaste to denture products; nail products including nail polishes; deodorants and antiperspirants; to shaving products for both men and women.
Here is a risk summary of various exposures cosmetics manufacturers can be exposed to:
Property exposure depends on the product being manufactured. While most facial and body products are non-flammable and would not contribute to a fire load, hair sprays, nail polish and nail polish remover can greatly increase a fire load. Perfume and cologne also are highly flammable. In addition, all items are for personal use on body and will generally be destroyed if touched by smoke or water. Most will involve a conveyer system process that means that machinery is present that must be maintained to prevent overheating.
Occupiers’ Liability can be severe if aerosols are on premises. The explosion possibility is high and could damage neighbouring properties.
Products liability tends to be limited to skin and eye rashes from irritants, allergic reactions and chemical burns. Although products must comply with national standards, for cosmetics these standards are limited more or less to labelling and purity. Therefore, prime product considerations are the safety, testing, labelling, and overall quality control methods of the manufacturer.
Environmental impairment can be moderate to high, again depending on the process and products involved.
Automobile exposure increases if the manufacturer assumes responsibility for the transport of either raw material or finished product or both. Keys to evaluating automobile are the training and safety awareness of drivers, as well as their driving habits and records. Of equal importance is the condition and maintenance of the vehicles, especially tankers. Aerosol transport is hazardous and consideration should be made for moderating temperature in vehicles.
Workers compensation exposure depends on the processes and products manufactured. Much of the exposure is machinery-related; therefore, safety, training and guarding are important items to evaluate. Repetitive motion injury must be controlled through ergonomically designed workstations. There may be chemical exposures that could result in skin and eye irritations, as well as respiratory problems. Chemical should be labelled so that workers are aware of the contents and can be aware of early warning signs of problems.
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Download a copy of our “Risk Summary - Cosmetics Manufacturing” guide to learn more about how you can mitigate business losses as a result of risks and exposures:
