Hydrogen peroxide developer in a hair salon
Developer is hydrogen peroxide at 3 to 12 per cent. At the higher strengths it damages eyes and irritates skin, and mixing it with persulphate bleach powder is the salon task most linked to asthma. This example covers a stylist mixing and applying colour and bleach. Draft, not yet reviewed.
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Why these controls
The controls follow HSE's salon guidance: mix in the dispensary, not at the chair, use a dust free bleach powder, wear gloves for mixing, applying and rinsing, and keep the face out of the bowl while mixing.
Dermatitis is the common outcome, so the assessment includes skin checks and moisturiser as real controls, not afterthoughts. Any stylist with persistent red or itchy hands should be referred to a GP.
The severity is set from 12 per cent developer, which is the strongest stocked. Salons that only stock 6 per cent can lower it.
This document is a starting point. The employer must check it against the actual workplace, the product safety data sheet and current HSE guidance before relying on it. It is not an HSE approved document.
COSHH assessment
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, regulation 6
| Company or site | Studio 42 Hair |
|---|---|
| Location | Dispensary and salon floor |
| Assessor | Leanne Marsh, Salon Owner |
| Reviewed by | Leanne Marsh, Salon Owner |
| Approved by | — |
1. Substance
| Name | Hydrogen peroxide (peroxide, hair developer, cream peroxide) |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 7722-84-1 |
| Supplier | — |
| Quantity held on site | — |
| Physical form | liquid |
| Safety data sheet | Not attached. Obtain the current sheet from the supplier and keep it with this assessment. |
| Signal word | DANGER |
| Pictograms |    Oxidising, Corrosive, Harmful or irritant |
2. Hazards
- Oxidising liquid, category 1
- Acute toxicity, category 4
- Skin corrosion, category 1A
- H271 May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidiser.
- H302 Harmful if swallowed.
- H332 Harmful if inhaled.
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
Health effects on the day
- Makes fires burn fiercely; can ignite combustible materials
- Harmful: nausea, headache or feeling unwell after exposure
- Chemical burns to skin and eyes on contact; damage can be permanent
| Routes of exposure | skin, eyes, inhalation, ingestion |
|---|---|
| Workplace exposure limit | 8 hour TWA: 1 ppm, 1.4 mg/m³. 15 minute STEL: 2 ppm, 2.8 mg/m³ (EH40/2005) |
3. How the substance is used
| Task | Mixing developer with bleach powder or colour in the dispensary and applying at the chair |
|---|---|
| Who is exposed | Stylists and apprentices. Clients at the chair |
| At particular risk | None identified |
| Frequency | Daily |
| Quantity used | 60 to 120 ml of developer per client |
| Duration | 5 minutes mixing, 20 to 40 minutes applying and processing |
| Ventilation | Good, windows or mechanical ventilation |
| Spray, heat or mist | No |
| Storage | Dispensary cupboard, cool, original containers, cap on |
| Store away from | — |
4. Risk rating
| Before controls | Medium, 12 out of 25 (likelihood 3 × severity 4) |
|---|---|
| With controls in place | Low, 6 out of 25 (likelihood 2 × severity 3) |
5. Control measures in place
Substitution
- We use the lowest hazard product that does the job. The supplier has confirmed there is no safer alternative, or we have already switched to one, for example a lower concentration or a water based product.
- We use a low dust or ready diluted form. Paste, pellet, gel, dust free powder or ready to use product instead of loose powder or concentrate, so less gets into the air.
Engineering controls
- The area is well ventilated while it is used. Windows or doors open, or mechanical ventilation running. It is not used in small enclosed rooms without extraction.
- Eyewash and running water are within reach. An eyewash station or bottles, and a sink with running water, are close to where it is used and staff know where they are.
Working practices
- Staff are trained on this assessment and the safe method. Everyone who uses it has been told the hazards, the safe way to use it, the controls and what to do if something goes wrong. Training is recorded. Required by COSHH regulation 12.
- The safety data sheet is available to staff. The current data sheet is kept where staff and first aiders can find it, and is checked when the product or supplier changes.
- It is stored safely. Original labelled containers, closed, upright, in a cool ventilated place away from incompatible substances, food and public access.
- Staff wash their hands after use and do not eat or drink where it is used. Hands are washed after handling and before eating, drinking or smoking. Contaminated clothing is removed.
- Health surveillance is in place. Skin checks, or a breathing questionnaire and lung function tests through an occupational health provider, as COSHH regulation 11 requires for this hazard.
Personal protective equipment
- Staff wear chemical resistant gloves. Of the material and breakthrough time given in section 8 of the data sheet, replaced when damaged or contaminated.
- Staff wear eye protection. Goggles to EN 166 where there is a risk of splashing. Safety glasses are not relied on for corrosive liquids.
6. Decisions
| Substitution considered | — |
|---|---|
| Exposure adequately controlled | — |
| Health surveillance | — |
| Exposure monitoring | — |
7. Further action required
None identified at this revision.
8. First aid, spillage and disposal
Skin and eyes: rinse with plenty of water. Eyes: get medical attention. Swallowed: rinse mouth and call NHS 111. In an emergency call 999. For advice call NHS 111.
| Spillage | Follow section 6 of the safety data sheet. |
|---|---|
| Disposal | Follow section 13 of the safety data sheet. Waste leaves site as hazardous waste through a licensed carrier. |
9. Notes
Dust free bleach powder only. Mixing done in the dispensary with the window open. Skin checks recorded monthly.
Hazard data from the ECHA classification and labelling inventory and HSE EH40/2005. Check the supplier safety data sheet for the exact product and concentration you use. Review by the next review date, and sooner if the product or supplier changes, the task or the people doing it change, there is a spill or incident, anyone reports symptoms, or new information arrives from the supplier or HSE. This assessment is a starting point; the employer must review it against the actual workplace before relying on it.
