| 1 | Skin damage from wet work and productsHSE: COSHH and hairdressers. COSHH assessments needed | All stylists and the apprentice, whose hands are wet for much of the day. Dermatitis from hands being wet for long periods and from contact with shampoos, colours, bleach, cleaning products and detergents. Hairdressing and cleaning have some of the highest rates of work related skin disease. | 3 | 5 | 15 | • Disposable non latex gloves are worn for every wet task and every contact with products, and changed between tasks• Hands are dried thoroughly with a soft towel after washing, and moisturiser is provided and used• Staff check their skin regularly and report dryness, redness or itching early• Products in use have COSHH assessments and less irritant alternatives are used where they exist• Skin health surveillance is in place, with a responsible person checking and recordingand 2 more | 3 | 2 | 6 | None |
| 2 | Slips, trips and falls on the same levelHSE: Slips and trips | Staff and clients, especially around the backwash and where hair is cut. Sprains, fractures and head injuries from slipping on wet or contaminated floors, or tripping over cables, uneven surfaces, boxes and trailing leads. Slips and trips are the most common cause of injury at work. | 3 | 4 | 12 | • Spills are cleaned up straight away and the wet area is signed or cordoned until it is dry• Walkways are kept clear of boxes, stock and equipment, and cables are routed away from walkways or covered• Damaged flooring, loose mats and worn steps are reported and repaired• Staff wear flat, closed shoes with a good grip; slip resistant footwear is provided where floors are often wet• Cut hair is swept after every client, not at the end of the day• Dryer and straightener leads are hung on hooks at each station, not left on the floorand 3 more | 3 | 2 | 6 | • Move routine floor cleaning to quiet times and use a method that leaves floors dry.• Improve lighting where the floor, steps or outside routes cannot be seen clearly.• Fit a handrail, mark step edges and keep stairs clear.• Fit entrance matting and arrange gritting of outside paths in icy weather.and 1 more |
| 3 | Burns and scalds from hot surfaces, liquids and steamHSE: Catering and hospitality | Stylists and clients: straighteners and tongs at over 200 degrees, hot dryers, hot water at the backwash. Burns and scalds from ovens, hobs, fryers, grills, hot water, steam, hot oil and hot equipment such as straighteners and irons. | 2 | 4 | 8 | • Hot equipment is positioned so staff do not have to reach across it, and pan handles are turned in• Hot water outlets that people can be scalded by are fitted with thermostatic mixing valves or marked as very hot• Staff have been shown how to use each piece of hot equipment safely and how to treat a burn• Cold running water is available for treating burns and a burns kit is in the first aid box• Straighteners and tongs are placed in heat resistant holders when not in hand and switched off between clients• Backwash water temperature is checked with the hand before it reaches the clientand 3 more | 2 | 2 | 4 | • Provide dry oven gloves and cloths suited to the equipment and brief staff not to use wet cloths.• Set the rule that oil is only moved when cool and fryers are drained with the right equipment. |
| 4 | Electrical equipment and installationsHSE: Electrical safety at work | Stylists using hand held tools near water all day. Electric shock and burns from damaged leads, plugs and equipment, faulty installations or water near electrics. Fire from overloaded sockets and faulty equipment. | 4 | 3 | 12 | • Staff look at plugs, leads and equipment before use and report anything damaged, which is then taken out of use• Portable equipment is inspected and, where needed, tested at intervals that match how it is used, and the record is kept• Equipment used outdoors or in wet areas runs through an RCD• Extension leads and adaptors are not daisy chained or overloaded, and leads are fully unwound in use• Electrical equipment is kept away from water, and nothing is used with wet hands• Only a competent electrician does repairs or alterations; staff do not open equipment or replace fuses without trainingand 3 more | 4 | 1 | 4 | • Book an inspection of the fixed electrical installation by a competent electrician. |
| 5 | Prolonged standing and repetitive workHSE: Musculoskeletal disorders | All stylists, on their feet with arms raised for most of the day. Back, leg, shoulder and wrist pain from standing all day, working with arms raised, repetitive hand movements and awkward postures. | 2 | 4 | 8 | • Work is arranged so staff can sit, change posture and take breaks through the day• Adjustable chairs, cutting stools, anti fatigue mats and tools that suit the task are provided• Staff report aches and pains early and the work is adjusted• Cutting stools are at every station and stylists sit for cutting where they canand 1 more | 2 | 3 | 6 | • Rotate repetitive tasks between staff or break them up with different work. |
| 6 | Hazardous substancesHSE: COSHH basics. COSHH assessments needed | Stylists and the apprentice mixing and applying colour, bleach and peroxide; whoever cleans at the end of the day. Burns, dermatitis, asthma, poisoning and long term illness from cleaning products, solvents, dusts, fumes and biological agents. Each substance needs its own COSHH assessment; this entry records that the risk exists and is controlled. | 4 | 3 | 12 | • Every hazardous substance in use has a COSHH assessment, kept in a register with the supplier data sheet• Substances are stored in their original labelled containers, in a locked or controlled store, away from incompatible products and food• The gloves, eye protection and other PPE the assessment calls for are provided and worn• Staff have been told the hazards and the controls for each product they use, and have signed the assessment• Spill kits, eyewash and first aid measures matching the products in use are in place and staff know where they areand 2 more | 3 | 2 | 6 | • Check whether a less hazardous product or a ready diluted version would do the job. |
| 7 | FireHSE: Introduction to fire safety | Everyone in the salon. Burns, smoke inhalation and death if a fire starts and people cannot get out. Sources of ignition include electrical faults, cooking, heaters, smoking and hot work; fuel includes waste, packaging, furnishings and flammable liquids. | 5 | 2 | 10 | • A fire risk assessment has been done for the premises and its actions are complete or in hand• Escape routes and fire exits are kept clear and unlocked while people are inside, and exit signs are visible• There is a way to raise the alarm that everyone can hear, and it is tested regularly• Extinguishers are provided for the type of fire likely, serviced yearly, and staff know when not to use them• Staff know the evacuation procedure and the assembly point, and a drill is held at least once a year• Heaters, cooking equipment and electrical equipment are turned off when not in use and are not left unattendedand 3 more | 5 | 1 | 5 | • Clear combustible waste and packaging away from heat and electrics, and store flammable liquids properly.• Agree a personal emergency evacuation plan with anyone who would need help to leave. |