Beauty Salon COSHH Audit: Keep Your Treatments Safe & Compliant
Following a structured COSHH audit demonstrates professionalism and commitment to safety, which can also reassure clients that your salon operates to the highest standards. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to complete a COSHH audit and provide links to ready-to-use templates to make the process quick and reliable.
Running a beauty salon comes with responsibilities beyond providing excellent treatments. One critical area is chemical safety – which is where a COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) audit comes in. A proper audit helps you identify risks, ensure legal compliance, and protect both staff and clients.
What Is a COSHH Audit and Why Your Salon Needs One
A COSHH audit is a systematic review of all hazardous substances used in your salon. This includes cleaning chemicals, hair dyes, nail adhesives, and skincare products. The audit is designed to help you identify substances that pose a risk, evaluate exposure levels, and implement control measures to protect staff and clients.
According to the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), salons are legally required to assess and control risks from hazardous substances. Conducting regular audits helps avoid potential fines, legal action, and workplace accidents. Beyond legal compliance, it also promotes a culture of safety in your salon, which can improve staff confidence and client trust.
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing a COSHH Audit
1. List All Hazardous Substances
Begin by compiling a complete list of all chemical products in your salon. Include:
Product name
Manufacturer
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) reference
Quantity and frequency of use
Recording this information ensures nothing is overlooked and provides a professional audit trail that can be reviewed during inspections.
2. Assess the Risks
Evaluate the likelihood of exposure and the potential harm for each substance. Ask:
Who could be exposed?
How might exposure occur?
What are the short- and long-term health effects?
Risk assessment should consider both staff and clients. For example, repeated exposure to nail dust or hair bleaching chemicals without proper ventilation can lead to respiratory issues. Using a structured template ensures every chemical is properly assessed.
3. Implement Control Measures
After assessing risks, put measures in place to reduce exposure. This may include:
Proper storage solutions
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Safe handling procedures
Staff training
Following HSE recommendations ensures your salon is compliant with COSHH regulations. Well-implemented controls also minimise the chance of accidents and potential complaints from clients.
4. Record and Review
Document every step of your audit. Use a professional COSHH audit template to:
Record findings
Track actions
Schedule regular reviews
Regular review ensures that any new products or procedures are evaluated promptly and that your salon remains compliant at all times.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced salon owners can make mistakes in chemical safety management. Common pitfalls include:
Forgetting to update chemical lists regularly
Not training new staff on chemical safety
Ignoring Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Failing to review control measures periodically
Avoiding these mistakes protects your clients, staff, and business from harm and ensures your salon demonstrates professionalism and compliance.
How Ready-Made Templates Can Help
Conducting a COSHH audit from scratch can be time-consuming, especially for busy salon owners. Ready-made templates provide:
A structured, easy-to-follow format
Fields for every critical data point
Assurance that nothing is overlooked
A professional record for inspections
Download your Beauty Salon COSHH Audit Template today
Explore our complete collection of templates, guides, and beauty compliance resources here.
Instant Access Resourecs:
Risk Assessment for Beauty Salons
Beauty Clinic Terms and Conditions