The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) said beauticians and operators of hairdressing salons have been contacting it to request clarifications about the situation on occupational health relating to their employees.

They were worried, the authority said, because representatives of a private company had contacted them and urged them to send their employees to an occupational health course which it organised, lasting two or three hours.

It was claimed that the OHSA was sending out inspectors at these workplaces and closing down the establishments if it was found that the employees had not attended such a course.

The authority said it had no relationship with this company and its claims were baseless. Neither had its officials closed, or were threatening to close workplaces. It pointed out that employers had the duty to provide the information, education, and supervision necessary to ensure health and safety at workplaces. The choice as to who to send the employees for training lay with the employer.

The authority said it was seeking legal advice about the claims made before bringing in the police.