Hair and beauty salons face a specific set of workplace hazards — chemical exposure from hair dyes and bleaches, sharps injuries from scissors and razors, burns from styling tools, slips on wet floors, and repetitive strain injuries from prolonged standing and arm movements. Under UK law, every salon owner must carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment covering these hazards under Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR 1999). This guide identifies the most common salon hazards, explains the legal requirements, and sets out practical control measures that protect both staff and clients.
Legal requirement to assess salon hazards
All UK salon owners — whether self-employed sole traders, small family businesses, or multi-site chains — have a legal duty to carry out a written risk assessment. This duty comes from MHSWR 1999 Regulation 3(1), which requires every employer to assess risks to employees and anyone else affected by their work activities (including clients). Where five or more people are employed, the significant findings must be recorded in writing under Regulation 3(6).
Specific regulations apply to salon work. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) require a separate COSHH assessment for every hazardous chemical used in the salon — hair dyes, bleaches, perming solutions, acetone-based nail removers, and cleaning chemicals. The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 require employers to provide suitable gloves, aprons, and eye protection where needed, free of charge. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a fire risk assessment for the salon premises. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require all electrical equipment to be maintained in a safe condition — particularly important given the number of heated styling tools and electrical appliances used daily in salons.
Non-compliance carries serious penalties. HSE prosecution can result in fines averaging £148,000 per conviction, and in serious cases, imprisonment of up to two years. Beyond enforcement action, failing to assess and control hazards can lead to civil claims from injured staff — dermatitis claims are common in the hair and beauty industry.
Chemical hazards in salons
Chemical exposure is the most significant occupational health risk in hair and beauty salons. Hair colourants, bleaches, and perming solutions contain sensitising chemicals that can cause occupational dermatitis — a disabling skin condition that affects an estimated 70% of hairdressers at some point in their career, according to industry surveys. Permanent hair dyes contain para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a potent skin sensitiser. Bleaches contain hydrogen peroxide and ammonia, which are respiratory irritants. Perming solutions contain thioglycolic acid, which is corrosive. Nail products — acrylics, gel polishes, acetone removers — contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause headaches, dizziness, and respiratory irritation with prolonged exposure.
Under COSHH Regulation 6, employers must prevent or adequately control exposure to hazardous substances. This means conducting a COSHH assessment for each product, reading the safety data sheet (SDS) supplied by the manufacturer, and applying control measures in the correct order. For salon chemicals, the hierarchy of controls typically involves: substitution (use lower-strength products where possible, or ammonia-free alternatives), engineering controls (local exhaust ventilation to remove fumes, or work in well-ventilated areas near open windows), administrative controls (training staff in safe mixing and application techniques, minimising skin contact time, rotating tasks to limit cumulative exposure), and PPE (disposable nitrile gloves for all chemical work, aprons to protect clothing, and barrier creams where appropriate — though gloves are the primary defence).
A common mistake is assuming that because a product is widely available, it is safe. Many salon chemicals are classified as hazardous under the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation and carry warning labels. Employers must never decant products into unmarked containers, and must ensure all staff know how to read the hazard pictograms on product labels.
Occupational dermatitis and skin protection
Occupational contact dermatitis is the most common work-related illness in hairdressing. It occurs when the skin becomes sensitised to a chemical after repeated exposure — once sensitised, even brief contact can trigger an allergic reaction. The condition is often disabling: affected workers may be unable to continue in the profession. Prevention is critical because there is no cure — only avoidance of the allergen.
Key control measures include wearing disposable nitrile gloves for all wet work (shampooing, colouring, perming, bleaching), changing gloves between clients to prevent cross-contamination, using barrier creams on hands before starting work (though gloves remain the primary control), and drying hands thoroughly after washing. Latex gloves should be avoided — they offer poor protection against chemicals and can themselves cause allergic reactions.
Under COSHH Regulation 11, employers must provide health surveillance where there is a reasonable likelihood that an identified disease or adverse health effect will occur under the particular conditions of work. For salon workers regularly exposed to skin sensitisers, health surveillance typically involves a regular skin check (self-inspection, with access to occupational health advice if symptoms develop). Early reporting of symptoms — redness, itching, dryness, cracking — allows intervention before the condition becomes disabling.
Sharps hazards — scissors, razors, and needles
Scissors, razors, and needles (used in some beauty treatments such as ear piercing or cosmetic tattooing) present a risk of cuts, puncture wounds, and — critically — bloodborne infection. A cut from a contaminated sharp can transmit Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV if the implement has been used on an infected person and is then used on another client or staff member without proper sterilisation.
Control measures under MHSWR 1999 and sector-specific HSE guidance include: using disposable single-use sharps where possible (e.g. disposable razor blades for wet shaving), never sharing scissors or razors between clients without sterilisation in an autoclave or appropriate disinfection, disposing of used sharps immediately into a rigid sharps bin conforming to BS 7320 (never into general waste), and providing Hepatitis B vaccination for staff at risk of blood exposure (mandatory for those performing invasive procedures).
Scissors must be stored safely when not in use — not loose in pockets or on open surfaces where they can be knocked over. Staff should be trained in safe cutting techniques that keep fingers clear of the blade path. For salons offering ear piercing or cosmetic tattooing, additional hygiene controls apply under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, which requires salons to be registered with the local council and to follow prescribed infection control standards.
Burn hazards from heated styling tools
Hair straighteners, curling tongs, hairdryers, and hot towel cabinets can cause burns to staff and clients. Straighteners typically reach 200°C — sufficient to cause a full-thickness burn on contact with skin. According to HSE guidance, burns are one of the most frequently reported salon injuries.
Control measures include: using tools with adjustable temperature settings, starting on the lowest effective setting, never leaving heated tools unattended on surfaces where they can be knocked over, using heat-resistant mats or holders to rest hot tools during use, ensuring all electrical equipment has a visible and accessible on/off switch, training staff in safe handling techniques (keeping tools away from the face and scalp, warning clients before using heat near sensitive areas), and maintaining tools in good condition (worn cords, damaged plugs, and cracked casings present both burn and electric shock risks).
For client safety, stylists should perform a patch test for heat tolerance, especially when working with elderly clients or those with reduced skin sensitivity. Warn clients before applying heat, and check regularly during the process to ensure no discomfort. Document any incidents of minor burns in the salon accident book — this record is a legal requirement under RIDDOR 2013 and may reveal patterns that indicate a need for further training or equipment replacement.
Slips, trips, and falls in salons
Wet floors are the most common cause of slips in salons — water from shampooing, spilled drinks, or cleaning. Hair clippings on the floor create a trip hazard, as do trailing cables from hairdryers and straighteners. According to HSE statistics, slips and trips account for over a third of all reported major injuries across UK workplaces, and salons are particularly susceptible due to the combination of water, smooth flooring, and high client turnover.
Control measures under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 include: using non-slip flooring in wet areas (near basins, in shower areas), mopping up spills immediately and marking wet areas with warning signs, sweeping hair clippings regularly throughout the day (not just at closing time), routing electrical cables overhead or securing them to skirting boards with cable covers, ensuring adequate lighting throughout the salon (dark corners and poorly lit staircases are high-risk areas), and keeping walkways clear of stock, bags, and equipment.
Footwear is critical — staff should wear low-heeled, closed-toe shoes with slip-resistant soles. Open-toed sandals or high heels significantly increase slip risk. For salons with separate staff and client areas, consider a policy requiring clients to notify staff if they spill anything, rather than attempting to clean it themselves.
Manual handling and ergonomic risks
Hairdressers and beauty therapists spend long hours on their feet, often in awkward postures — bending over basins, reaching overhead to style tall clients, holding arms in static positions while blow-drying. Over time, this leads to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) — lower back pain, shoulder strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and varicose veins. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require employers to assess and reduce the risk of injury from manual handling, and the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 apply to salon reception staff using computers.
Control measures include: providing adjustable-height chairs for clients so staff do not need to bend excessively, using sit-stand stools for tasks that can be performed seated (such as nail treatments), rotating tasks throughout the day to avoid prolonged static postures, encouraging regular micro-breaks (even 30 seconds of shoulder rolls and stretching between clients helps), and training staff in safe lifting techniques for stock deliveries and equipment moves.
Salon basins should be ergonomically designed — back-wash basins are preferable to forward-lean basins because they reduce neck and back strain. Where forward-lean basins are used, ensure they are at the correct height and that staff are trained to position themselves to minimise lumbar flexion.
Electrical safety in salons
Salons use a significant amount of electrical equipment — hairdryers, straighteners, clippers, UV lamps for nail curing, towel warmers, and reception computers. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require all electrical equipment to be maintained in a safe condition, and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) require equipment to be suitable for the work, inspected, and maintained.
Control measures include: having all portable electrical equipment tested by a competent person (Portable Appliance Testing or PAT) — typically annually for salon equipment in frequent use, inspecting equipment before use for visible damage (frayed cables, cracked casings, loose plugs), never using electrical equipment with wet hands or near basins filled with water, switching off and unplugging tools when not in use (not just placing them in standby mode), and ensuring all electrical sockets are not overloaded (multi-plug adapters and extension leads should be used sparingly and should never be daisy-chained).
For salons offering electric nail filing, UV curing lamps, or laser/IPL hair removal, equipment must meet specific safety standards and staff must be trained in safe operation. Some treatments (such as laser hair removal) are regulated by the Care Quality Commission in England and require specific registration.
Fire safety in salons
Salons are at risk of fire due to the presence of flammable chemicals (aerosol hairsprays, alcohol-based disinfectants, acetone nail removers), ignition sources (heated styling tools, naked flames from wax heaters), and quantities of combustible materials (hair, paper towels, product packaging). The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person (usually the salon owner or manager) to carry out a fire risk assessment and put in place appropriate fire precautions.
A salon fire risk assessment must identify potential ignition sources, evaluate the fire load (how much combustible material is present), assess means of escape (are exit routes clear, are fire doors kept closed, is there adequate signage), check fire detection and alarm systems (are smoke detectors fitted and tested monthly, is there an audible alarm), and ensure suitable firefighting equipment is available (typically CO2 extinguishers for electrical fires and foam or water extinguishers for general combustibles). Aerosol products must be stored away from heat sources, and naked flames (such as candles used for ambience) should be avoided or carefully controlled.
Staff must be trained in fire evacuation procedures — where to go, who is responsible for checking treatment rooms, and where to assemble outside. A fire drill should be conducted at least annually, and more frequently if staff turnover is high.
Biological hazards and infection control
Salons can be a vector for infection transmission — fungal infections (athlete's foot in pedicure treatments), bacterial infections (impetigo, MRSA transmitted via shared towels or equipment), viral infections (verrucae, cold sores, Hepatitis B from contaminated sharps), and infestations (head lice). The risk is to both staff and clients. Under MHSWR 1999, employers must assess biological hazards and implement hygiene controls.
Control measures include: sterilising or disposing of equipment between clients (scissors, combs, nail files, razors must be either autoclaved or single-use), using fresh towels and gowns for every client (never re-using a towel even if it looks clean), disinfecting all work surfaces between clients with an appropriate salon disinfectant (alcohol-based sprays or hypochlorite solutions), washing hands thoroughly between clients and after handling soiled laundry, and refusing service to clients with visible infections (open wounds, active cold sores, signs of lice infestation) until the condition is resolved.
For beauty treatments involving skin penetration (ear piercing, micro-needling, cosmetic tattooing), strict aseptic technique is required. This includes using sterile single-use needles, wearing gloves, cleaning the skin with an antiseptic wipe, and disposing of all sharps immediately into a sharps bin. The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 apply to some cosmetic procedures carried out in beauty clinics.
Lone working and personal safety
Some salon professionals work alone — mobile hairdressers visiting clients' homes, beauty therapists working from home salons, or stylists opening or closing the premises outside normal hours. Lone working increases the risk of injury going unnoticed, confrontation with aggressive clients, and — for mobile workers — road traffic accidents or violence in unfamiliar locations. Under MHSWR 1999, employers must assess the risks of lone working and put controls in place.
Control measures include: implementing a check-in system (lone workers text or call at agreed intervals), providing mobile workers with a personal safety alarm or smartphone safety app, vetting new clients before home visits (requesting a landline contact and checking online reviews if available), avoiding evening or late-night appointments in unfamiliar areas, and training staff in conflict de-escalation techniques. For salon premises, ensure that staff working alone can lock the door and have a panic alarm or quick-dial phone to summon help if needed.
Mobile hairdressers face additional risks from manual handling (carrying heavy equipment cases), driving long distances, and working in clients' homes where hazards may not be immediately obvious (trailing cables, pets, poor lighting). A separate risk assessment should cover mobile working, and appropriate insurance (public liability and professional indemnity) must be in place.
How to write a salon risk assessment
A suitable and sufficient salon risk assessment must follow the HSE five-step process: identify hazards (walk through the salon, list all chemicals, equipment, tasks, and environments), decide who might be harmed and how (stylists, beauty therapists, receptionists, apprentices, pregnant workers, clients, cleaners, delivery drivers), evaluate the risks and decide on control measures (apply the hierarchy of controls — eliminate where possible, substitute safer products, install engineering controls such as ventilation, implement safe working procedures, provide PPE as a last resort), record your findings (document each hazard, who is at risk, the existing controls, the risk rating, and any additional actions needed — with a named person responsible and a target date), and review regularly (at least annually, or sooner if there is an accident, new equipment, new products, or a change in working practices).
For chemicals, complete a separate COSHH assessment for each product. The manufacturer's safety data sheet (SDS) is your starting point — it identifies the hazards, the precautions required, and first aid measures. Do not rely on generic online templates — your assessment must reflect the actual products you use, the way you use them, and the specific ventilation and controls in your salon.
Involve your staff in the process. Stylists and therapists know which tasks are awkward, which products cause irritation, and where near-misses have occurred. A risk assessment written by someone who does not actually perform the work is likely to miss critical hazards. Where five or more people are employed, the written assessment must be shared with staff and kept accessible for inspection by HSE officers.
Common mistakes in salon risk assessments
Relying on a generic template downloaded from the internet and not adapting it to the specific salon — for example, listing "slips and trips" without identifying the actual floor surfaces, footwear policy, and cleaning schedule in your premises. Using vague language such as "PPE will be provided" without specifying what type of glove is suitable for each task — nitrile gloves for chemical work, vinyl gloves for nail treatments, disposable gloves for handling soiled towels. Failing to complete COSHH assessments for each chemical product — this is a separate legal requirement and cannot be omitted. Not reviewing the assessment after an accident or the introduction of new equipment or products — a risk assessment is a living document, not a one-off exercise. Treating the risk assessment as a bureaucratic box-ticking exercise rather than a genuine tool to protect staff and clients. Inspectors are trained to spot generic, untailored assessments and will challenge them immediately.
AI-generated salon risk assessments
AI tools such as Anyrisks allow salon owners to generate a professionally written, regulation-referenced risk assessment in under two minutes. The user describes their salon — the services offered, the number of staff, the premises layout, any specific concerns — and receives a complete risk assessment document covering the hazards relevant to that specific business. The assessment includes COSHH sections for chemicals, control measures ranked by the hierarchy of controls, and references to the applicable UK regulations.
The key advantage is specificity. Rather than copying a generic template and hoping it covers everything, the AI system generates an assessment tailored to the actual activities carried out in the salon. For example, a nail bar will receive detailed coverage of acetone exposure, UV lamp safety, and electrical risks from e-files, whereas a traditional barber shop will receive more focus on sharps safety, manual handling of stock, and infection control for wet shaving.
AI-generated assessments still require review by a competent person before use — someone with knowledge of the salon's day-to-day operations must read the document, confirm it reflects reality, and implement the control measures it identifies. The legal duty to assess risks cannot be outsourced, but the time required to produce a well-written, compliant document can be reduced from hours to minutes.
Who is competent to carry out a salon risk assessment?
Under MHSWR 1999 Regulation 7, employers must appoint one or more competent persons to assist in complying with health and safety duties. A competent person is someone with sufficient training, experience, and knowledge to carry out the task — in this case, conducting a risk assessment. For a small salon, the owner or manager is typically the competent person, provided they have a good understanding of the work activities, the hazards involved, and the relevant legal requirements.
Competence can be gained through a combination of on-the-job experience and formal training. The Hair and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) offers health and safety training courses tailored to salon professionals. Many local councils and private providers offer half-day or online courses in risk assessment and COSHH. For larger salon chains, it may be appropriate to employ an external health and safety consultant to review the risk assessment annually and provide specialist advice on complex issues (such as ventilation design for large salons or chemical exposure limits).
The important point is that the person conducting the assessment must actually understand the work being assessed. A generic risk assessment written by someone who has never worked in a salon is unlikely to be suitable and sufficient.
Also see: Beauty salon risk assessment