On 31 October 2011 new legislation will come into force in Wales with the intention of providing greater protection for people who use sun beds and ensure that they receive competent advice on the effects of artificial tanning.
There will be legal requirement for businesses which operate sun beds to provide informed advice to their customers regarding their skin type, correct exposure time, and the effects from artificial tanning. All operators will also have to provide individual eye protection, and posters or leaflets relating to, or promoting, the beneficial health effects of sun beds, will be banned.
The new law will also prohibit under 18’s from buying, hiring or even using a sun bed. This is because it is recognised that the likelihood of developing skin cancer is increased if you have been sunburnt as a child or as a young person.
In response to the new legislation, Flintshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Councils’ health and safety enforcement teams are working together to contact all the relevant businesses to notify them of all the new changes.
During the months of November and December all premises with sun beds, including those that sell and hire sun beds, will be visited and provided with specific free advice and guidance explaining what premises need to do to comply with the new legislation.
Similarly, dedicated training sessions during December and January, in both the Flintshire and Wrexham areas, have been organised for all sun bed businesses. This will ensure that they understand what is required and enable them to deliver competent advice to customers using their sun beds.
Following the training further business revisits will take place between January and March 2012 to ensure that all premises have implemented and comply with the new measures .
“Flintshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council are committed to ensuring that businesses understand their legal requirements and sun bed users are provided with competent advice and guidance on the effects of artificial tanning.”
said Ian Vaughan Evans, Interim Public Protection Manager for Flintshire County Council and Toni Slater, Service Manager for Wrexham County Borough Council.
Any business affected by the new legislation should contact their relevant Health and Safety Enforcement Section:
Flintshire County Council on 01352 703381
Wrexham County Borough Council on 01978 298989.
