COSHH Assessment Form

Blank COSHH risk assessment form for beauty products with a completed example for hair colour (PPD/ammonia).

BeautyKiln Document Hub - COSHH Assessment Form - Free to use, no attribution required

COSHH Assessment Form

COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. If you use any product that could harm someone's health, you need a COSHH assessment for it. This applies to employed and self-employed beauty workers alike.

Complete one form per product (or per product group if they share the same hazards and controls).

Assessment Details

Assessment number: ________

Date of assessment: //________

Review date: //________ (review annually or when the product changes)

Assessor name: ______________________________

Location where product is used: ______________________________

Product Information

Product name: ______________________________

Manufacturer/supplier: ______________________________

Product type (e.g. hair colour, lash adhesive, acrylic liquid, wax): ______________________________

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) obtained: Yes / No (you must get this from the manufacturer or supplier)

Hazard Identification

Hazard symbols on the product (tick all that apply):

• Flammable
• Irritant
• Corrosive
• Toxic
• Health hazard (long-term effects)
• Harmful
• Oxidising
• Environmental hazard
• None shown on label

Specific hazardous ingredients (from the SDS):

Route of Exposure

How could someone be harmed? (tick all that apply):

• Skin contact
• Eye contact
• Inhalation (breathing in fumes, dust or vapour)
• Ingestion (swallowing)
• Injection (e.g. needle stick, sharps)

Who Is at Risk?

• The practitioner using the product
• The client receiving the treatment
• Other workers in the same room or premises
• Pregnant workers or clients
• Anyone with known allergies or sensitivities
• Other: ______________________________

Health Effects

What harm could the product cause?

Short-term effects (e.g. skin irritation, eye watering, dizziness):

Long-term effects (e.g. occupational asthma, dermatitis, sensitisation):

Control Measures

What steps do you take to reduce the risk? (tick all that apply and add details):

• Ventilation - natural (open windows/doors)
• Ventilation - mechanical extraction system
• PPE - gloves (type: ________________)
• PPE - apron
• PPE - eye protection
• PPE - mask/respirator (type: ________________)
• Skin barrier cream applied before use
• Product used in small quantities only
• Product applied quickly to reduce exposure time
• Patch test carried out before use (how long before? ________ hours)
• Clients asked about allergies and medical conditions before treatment
• Product kept away from eyes, mouth and broken skin
• Work area cleaned immediately after use
• Hands washed after use
• Other: ______________________________

Emergency Procedures

Skin contact: ______________________________

Eye contact: ______________________________

Inhalation: ______________________________

Ingestion: ______________________________

Allergic reaction during treatment: ______________________________

Spill procedure: ______________________________

Location of first aid kit: ______________________________

Location of eye wash station (if applicable): ______________________________

Storage Requirements

Storage location: ______________________________

• Stored in original container with label intact
• Stored upright
• Stored away from heat sources
• Stored away from direct sunlight
• Stored in a ventilated area
• Stored in a locked cupboard (if required)
• Kept out of reach of children
• Separated from incompatible products (specify): ______________________________
• Temperature requirements: ______________________________

Disposal Method

How is the product (and any waste) disposed of safely?

(Check your local council's guidance on hazardous waste disposal. Do not pour chemicals down the sink.)

PPE Required (Summary)

Assessor Sign-Off

I have assessed the risks associated with this product and put appropriate controls in place.

Signed: ______________________________

Print name: ______________________________

Date: //________

Next review date: //________

Completed Example - Hair Colour (Permanent Oxidative)

This example shows how to fill in the form above. Do not copy it word for word - your assessment must reflect the specific products you use.

Assessment number: 001

Date of assessment: 15/04/2026

Review date: 15/04/2027

Assessor name: Jane Smith

Location: Chair 3, Shine Hair Studio, 14 High Street, Townsville

Product name: ProColour Permanent Hair Colour (all shades)

Manufacturer: ProColour Ltd

Product type: Permanent oxidative hair colour

SDS obtained: Yes

Hazard symbols: Irritant, Health hazard

Hazardous ingredients:

1. p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) - sensitiser, can cause severe allergic reactions
2. Ammonia - irritant to eyes and respiratory system
3. Hydrogen peroxide (in developer) - oxidising, irritant

Route of exposure: Skin contact, eye contact, inhalation

Who is at risk:

• The practitioner (repeated skin contact and inhalation over time)
• The client (skin contact, allergic reaction)
• Other workers in the salon (inhalation of ammonia fumes)
• Pregnant workers or clients (precautionary - discuss with client)

Health effects:

Short-term: Skin irritation, eye irritation, stinging, redness on scalp, dizziness from ammonia fumes, allergic reaction (ranging from mild rash to anaphylaxis in severe cases)

Long-term: Occupational contact dermatitis, PPD sensitisation (once sensitised, the allergy is permanent), occupational asthma from repeated ammonia exposure

Control measures:

• Ventilation - salon has mechanical extraction and windows are kept open during colour services
• Gloves - nitrile gloves worn at all times during mixing and application (changed if torn)
• Apron - worn during all colour services
• Patch test carried out 48 hours before first application and after any break of 6 weeks or more
• Client consultation card completed - allergies and medical conditions checked
• Product mixed in well-ventilated area
• Colour applied quickly to reduce scalp contact time
• Barrier cream applied around client's hairline
• Hands washed thoroughly after removing gloves
• Work area cleaned immediately after service

Emergency procedures:

• Skin contact: Remove product immediately with lukewarm water. If irritation continues, seek medical advice.
• Eye contact: Flush immediately with clean water for at least 15 minutes. Do not rub. Seek medical attention.
• Inhalation: Move to fresh air. If dizziness or breathing difficulty continues, call 999.
• Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Call 999 or Poison Control immediately.
• Allergic reaction during treatment: Remove product immediately with water. If swelling of face/throat or difficulty breathing, call 999. Administer antihistamine if available and client can swallow. Record the incident.
• Spill: Wipe up with disposable cloths, wearing gloves. Ventilate the area. Dispose of cloths in a sealed bag.

Storage:

• Stored in original containers in the colour cupboard (ventilated, away from heat)
• Developer stored separately from colour tubes
• Stored upright, labels facing outward
• Kept out of reach of non-staff

Disposal:

• Unused mixed colour disposed of in a sealed bag in general waste (small quantities)
• Empty tubes rinsed and recycled where possible
• Developer bottles rinsed and recycled

PPE summary:

Signed: Jane Smith

Date: 15/04/2026

Next review: 15/04/2027

How to use this template

You are legally required to carry out COSHH assessments for any hazardous substances you use at work. This applies whether you are employed, self-employed, a chair renter, or mobile.

Steps:

1. Get the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each product from the manufacturer or supplier. This is free - they must provide it if you ask.
2. Complete one assessment form per product or product group.
3. Put the control measures in place before you use the product.
4. Keep your completed assessments where you can access them quickly - a folder at your workstation or a file on your phone.
5. Review each assessment once a year, or sooner if the product changes, someone has a reaction, or your working conditions change.
6. If an inspector from your local council or the HSE asks to see your COSHH assessments, you must be able to produce them.

Common products that need a COSHH assessment in beauty include: hair colour, bleach, perming solutions, lash adhesive, lash remover, acrylic liquid (monomer), nail dust, acetone, wax, depilatory cream, spray tan solution, disinfectants, and any cleaning chemicals.

This is a practical template, not a substitute for professional health and safety advice. If you use high-risk products (e.g. strong acids for skin peels, laser/IPL), consider getting a qualified health and safety consultant to review your assessments.