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Beauty Salon Risk Assessment — Done in 2 Minutes
Describe your salon. We write a UK-compliant risk assessment instantly — covering COSHH 2002 for salon chemicals, PUWER 1998 for electrical tools, and MHSWR 1999.
How It Works
1. Describe Your Salon
Tell us about your treatments, chemicals, equipment, and team. Takes under 60 seconds.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant beauty salon risk assessment covering COSHH, electrical tools, client safety, and lone working.
3. Instant Download and Use
Download immediately. Share with your team, keep on site, or present to a health and safety inspector or insurance assessor.
What It Covers
Every beauty salon risk assessment is written in full and covers all critical areas required by UK health and safety law.
COSHH 2002 — hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, acrylate nail products, bleach, and cleaning chemicals
PUWER 1998 — hair straighteners, dryers, UV lamps, nail drills, and other electrical tools
Skin sensitisation and dermatitis risks from repeated chemical exposure
Electrical safety — PAT testing schedule and safe use of salon equipment
Slips, trips, and falls — wet floors, trailing cables, loose mats
Manual handling — MHOR 1992 for stock, salon chairs, and equipment
Lone working procedures and emergency contact protocols
Client consultation and patch test records — allergy and adverse reaction management
Fire safety — flammable chemicals storage under RRO 2005 Article 9
Ventilation requirements for chemical treatments and nail services
Works For
From high street salons to mobile beauty therapists, Anyrisks covers every type of beauty and hair business.
What Customers Say
“I needed a COSHH assessment for my nail bar before my insurance renewal. Anyrisks covered every chemical I use in under 2 minutes. Brilliant.”
Steph Kowalski
Nail Bar Owner, Leeds
“Our salon inspector asked for a written risk assessment covering electrical tools and chemical storage. Anyrisks had it all in one document — approved first time.”
Dani Hargreaves
Hair Salon Manager, Manchester
“As a mobile beauty therapist working alone I needed a lone working procedure too. Anyrisks included it automatically once I described my setup.”
Yemi Adeyemi
Mobile Beauty Therapist, Bristol
Join thousands of UK beauty businesses getting risk assessments done in minutes.
You'll be delighted with your Risk Assessment, or your money back.
Anyrisks vs DIY Templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| COSHH 2002 chemical hazards section included | ✓ | ✗ |
| PUWER 1998 — electrical tools and equipment covered | ✓ | ✗ |
| Skin sensitisation and dermatitis risk section | ✓ | ✗ |
| Lone working procedures included if applicable | ✓ | ✗ |
| Specific to your treatments and setup | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
Common Beauty Salon Hazards
Illustrative hazards covered in a typical beauty salon risk assessment.
| Hazard | People at Risk | Control Measures | Risk Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical exposure — hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, acrylates | Stylist, therapist, clients | COSHH Reg 7 controls; RPE/gloves; COSHH data sheets on file; ventilation required during use | High |
| Skin sensitisation and occupational dermatitis | Stylists and therapists with repeated exposure | Nitrile gloves mandatory; pre-employment skin check; dermatitis monitoring under COSHH 2002 | High |
| Electrical fault from tools (straighteners, dryers, UV lamps) | Staff, clients | PUWER Reg 4 compliance; PAT testing schedule; visible damage checks before each use | Medium |
| Slips on wet floors or chemical spills | Staff, clients | Non-slip matting; immediate spill clean-up; wet floor signs; MHSWR Reg 3(1) assessment | Medium |
| Burns from hot tools or chemicals during treatments | Clients, staff | Temperature controls; client consultation and patch test documented; first aid kit on site | Medium |
| Lone working — single therapist or mobile visits | Lone worker | Check-in protocol with contact; personal alarm available; emergency contacts logged | Medium |
Illustrative only. Your assessment will be tailored to your specific treatments and salon setup.
Beauty Salon Risk Assessments and UK Law
Your legal duties as a beauty or hair business owner in the UK.
COSHH 2002 and Hairdressing Chemicals
Regulation 6 of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 requires an assessment before using any hazardous substance, including hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, acrylates (in nail products), and bleaching agents. Regulation 7 requires adequate control measures including respiratory protective equipment (RPE), nitrile gloves, and local exhaust ventilation. Hairdressers and nail technicians are at elevated risk of occupational dermatitis and asthma from repeated chemical exposure — both are occupational diseases requiring COSHH monitoring under Regulation 11.
PUWER 1998 and Electrical Tools
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) apply to all salon tools including straighteners, dryers, UV nail lamps, nail drills, and laser/IPL equipment. Regulation 4 requires equipment to be suitable for its intended use. Regulation 5 requires maintenance and inspection records. Portable appliance testing (PAT) is not mandated by law but is considered best practice and required by most salon insurance policies. Visual checks before each use are required under Regulation 6.
MHSWR 1999 and HSWA 1974
Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires every employer — including salon owners with employees or self-employed stylists — to carry out a suitable and sufficient written risk assessment. Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 extends the duty of care to clients. If you employ 5 or more people, Regulation 3(2) requires the assessment to be recorded in writing. Sole trader and home-based beauty therapists are also covered by the self-employed provisions of HSWA 1974.
RRO 2005 Fire Safety and Chemical Storage
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO 2005) requires the responsible person to carry out a fire risk assessment under Article 9. Beauty salons store flammable substances (acetone, alcohol-based sanitisers, aerosols) which increase fire risk. Flammable substances must be stored in a dedicated flammable goods cabinet away from ignition sources, and quantities on the salon floor should be minimised. The fire risk assessment must identify escape routes, fire suppression, and emergency procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a risk assessment a legal requirement for a beauty salon?
Yes. Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires all employers — including salon owners — to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. If you have 5 or more employees, Regulation 3(2) requires this to be recorded in writing. COSHH Regulation 6 separately requires an assessment for every hazardous substance used, including salon chemicals.
What COSHH assessment do I need for hair and beauty chemicals?
COSHH Regulation 6 requires you to assess the risk from each hazardous substance used in your salon, including hydrogen peroxide (oxidising, irritant), ammonia (corrosive, sensitiser), acrylates in nail products (skin sensitiser, respiratory sensitiser), bleaching agents, and cleaning chemicals. Regulation 7 requires you to implement controls — typically gloves, ventilation, and reduced contact time. COSHH Regulation 11 requires health surveillance if employees are at risk of dermatitis or occupational asthma.
Do I need PAT testing for salon equipment?
PAT testing (portable appliance testing) is not explicitly required by law, but PUWER Regulation 4 and 5 require equipment to be maintained in a safe condition. Most salon insurance policies require PAT testing records. Visual inspection before each use is required under PUWER Regulation 6. A PAT test frequency of annually for high-use equipment (straighteners, dryers, UV lamps) is standard industry practice.
Does a mobile beauty therapist need a risk assessment?
Yes. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, self-employed therapists have a duty to ensure their work does not put others at risk. The COSHH assessment for chemicals and a general risk assessment covering lone working, manual handling, and client treatment are required regardless of whether you are employed or self-employed.
Do I need a fire risk assessment for my salon?
Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Article 9 requires the responsible person to carry out a fire risk assessment for all non-domestic premises, including beauty salons. Salons storing flammable substances (acetone, alcohol) are at elevated risk. The assessment must cover escape routes, fire suppression, chemical storage, and emergency procedures.
How long does it take?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your salon, treatments, and team and Anyrisks produces a fully written risk assessment instantly, including PDF and Word download.
Related Risk Assessments
Small Business Risk Assessment
For salons under 5 employees — covers MHSWR Reg 3(2) record-keeping duties and sole trader requirements.
Lone Worker Risk Assessment
For mobile therapists and home-based beauty workers — covers lone working procedures and emergency contacts.
Manual Handling Risk Assessment
For salons with stock deliveries or heavy salon chairs — covers MHOR 1992 duties for lifting and carrying.