Know your local ordinances if applicable. This is available from the city clerk’s office. It is often available online. Know what the health department’s requirements are, if any, pertaining to your type of clinic.

There may be state requirements for accommodations for the handicapped such as wheelchair accessibility and bathroom and shower handrails. Know how to get a handicapped person onto the table. A person with a bad back may not be able to use a soft chair. On the federal level, see the discussions of the Americans with Disabilities Act elsewhere in this book (chapter 11). Be prepared for all situations.

Maintain the practices that school taught regarding health and safety. Incorporate them with any requirements on state or local levels.

Do not allow smoking in the establishment. It may be illegal in any case. Even if it is not, there is a health factor which must be considered. Cigarette smoke dirties the walls and may irritate nonsmoking clients as well as cling to their hair and clothing. Not to mention some are offended when exposed to a known carcinogen.

Use of perfume may be irritating to some; caution is advised. Natural scents may be a better choice.

Colors should be soothing and subdued. If the décor has a theme, make sure the theme is harmonious with the profession. Pleasant lighting and nicely colored walls can do it all.

Pets should not be in the immediate area (except for those required for the client’s health, such as seeing-eye dogs). It is amazing how many people are allergic to animals. If you work out of your home, the treatment room ought to be off limit to pets. An inexpensive portable air filtration system will assist in keeping the room dander-free.

Many chemicals are used in homes and offices. Some people are more sensitive than others. If a clinic has chemicals and fumes lingering in the air or on surfaces, it may adversely affect the client. Good ventilation will help. For example, bleach is often used as a germicide but should not be inhaled. An EPA registered disinfectant with bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal activity is a good choice for cleaning non-electrical instruments and equipment and can be purchased at beauty supply stores.

Inadequate lighting is another safety hazard. Massage is generally given in subdued lighting. Stay aware that clients coming from bright sunlight may not see well until their eyes have had a chance to adjust. For some, particularly the elderly, this may take a long time. Sufficient light should be available for the client until the client is on the table.

The clinic should be uncluttered so there is nothing for the client to trip over or maneuver around. It’s a good idea to have a “spring cleaning” once in a while to discard the materials which accumulate; the sparser the better. It is safer, easier to maintain, and appears cleaner and more professional. A clinic may be open after other offices are closed, engendering additional safety concerns. The clinic should be situated in as safe a location as possible. Speak to neighbors and check police records to see that it is not a trouble area.

Make sure the clinic is in good repair. The therapist may remember a loose tile or raised floor area but the client may not. Hazards which cannot be moved (such as a low beam) merit signs. Showers and sink areas are extremely vulnerable to slipping. Take every precaution; a person can sustain a life long injury from a fall. Seek out large rubber mats, post caution signs and check the area often to make sure there is no water on the floor.

Repair work being done should be isolated from the clients, preferably done when the clinic is closed. This avoids the possibility of freak accidents; not to mention disturbing the client and appearing unprofessional.

The therapist should be aware of the nearest fire extinguisher and how to use it. In some cities, the fire department does periodical inspections to make sure extinguishers have been serviced. If they do not in your area, you might mark your calendar for servicing. There are many scenarios in which a fire extinguisher might be needed.

Liability insurance is a good idea and may be required by law and/or the landlord if renting. Many massage organizations and at least one massage magazine offer this insurance to their members. Insurance through a secondary profession, if it is similar, make cover your therapy work but you might want to get that in writing if the policy does not specifically mention massage or bodywork. The same goes for anyone for whom you work; you would need a copy of their insurance to make sure it applies to you. Having liability insurance helps you negotiate and pay. Not having it, depending on the laws that govern your profession, may impact you license and, depending on the laws that govern your profession, may impact your license.

The state of the therapist’s health is another safety factor. If the therapist is ill, he/she should refrain from giving treatments and contaminating the clients or area. Some illnesses require a day or two after the symptoms have left before they become non-contagious. Other illnesses, such as pink-eye, may require an examination from a doctor to determine if it is no longer a threat.

Colds and flu are almost impossible to hide because of the intimacy of the therapeutic setting. Every little sniffle or subtle clearing of throat can be heard by the client; there is no room for deception. If the client gets sick, even if the illness is rampant such as a widespread flu which they did not contract from the therapist, the therapist will be likely be blamed if she/he worked while ill. This provides an opportunity (albeit a forced one) to take care of oneself and take a little break from working The treatment room might also be suspected. The cleaner and tidier it is kept, the less likely that blame will occur. The same goes for the appearance of the therapist.