Bronx Borough President Diaz Pushes Grading System For NYC Nail Salons
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Bronx borough president has proposed New York City nail salons be graded based on cleanliness, safety, ventilation and other issues.
The move comes following a report released by New York City Public Advocate Letitia James last week that 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, CBS 2's Emily Smith reported.
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said the letter-grading system would give customers more comfort.
"We believe that folks should know exactly what they're getting into," Diaz told 1010 WINS. "They should have the right to know, and one of the ways that they can know upfront whether or not the place they're walking into is sanitary is through these letter grades."
Diaz cited health risks such as fungus and staph infections for customers who go to a salon without knowing how clean they are, WCBS 880 reported.
"When a woman, or a man for that matter, goes in to get a manicure or pedicure, whether you go to a beauty salon or a barber shop, that we make sure that you do not have any health risks like fungus or infections like staph infections or even hepatitis," he said.
Diaz said legislation establishing a letter-grading system will be introduced to the City Council. It also calls for a customer's bill of rights.
While the proposal has a lot of support, patrons and workers at an Upper West Side barber shop told Smith they fear arbitrary inspections and steep fines that could mean the end for small businesses.
"It all depends. When they come in and inspect I have seen them get an 'A' and get sloppy again," one person said.
Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
