Pregnancy Risk Assessment (Self-Employed)
Self-assessment form for pregnant beauty workers. Chemical exposure checklist, physical demands and treatment modifications.
Use this when
- Pregnancy at work
- Chemical risk assessment
- COSHH pregnancy
- Treatment modifications
Free — we only ask for your email on first use.
BeautyKiln Document Hub - Pregnancy Risk Assessment (Self-Employed) - Free to use, no attribution required
Pregnancy Risk Assessment for Self-Employed Beauty Workers
As a self-employed person, no one is legally required to do a risk assessment for you. But doing one yourself is sensible - it helps you identify risks, make informed decisions about which services to continue or stop, and keeps a record of the steps you took to protect yourself and your baby.
Your Details
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | [Your full name] |
| Business name | [Your business name] |
| Work location(s) | [Salon / home / mobile / other] |
| Due date | [DD/MM/YYYY] |
| Current trimester | [First / Second / Third] |
| Date of this assessment | [DD/MM/YYYY] |
| GP or midwife aware of your work? | [Y/N] |
1. Chemical Exposure
For each product you regularly use, check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) from the manufacturer. Look for hazard codes and any warnings about pregnancy. If you do not have the SDS, ask your supplier or search the manufacturer's website.
| Product / Chemical | Hazard codes on SDS? | Ventilation adequate? | Gloves used? | Action needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair colour (PPD, ammonia) | Check SDS | Y / N | Y / N | |
| Bleach / developer | Check SDS | Y / N | Y / N | |
| Keratin / smoothing treatment | Check for formaldehyde | Y / N | Y / N | |
| Acrylic nail products (liquid + powder) | Check SDS | Y / N | Y / N | |
| Gel nail products (HEMA, di-HEMA) | Check SDS | Y / N | Y / N | |
| Nail dust (from filing/drilling) | N/A | Y / N | N/A | |
| Spray tan solution (DHA) | Check SDS | Y / N | N/A | |
| Eyelash adhesive (cyanoacrylate) | Check SDS | Y / N | N/A | |
| Wax (hot and strip) | Check SDS | N/A | Y / N | |
| Cleaning and disinfecting products (e.g. Barbicide) | Check label | Y / N | Y / N | |
| [Other - add your own] | Y / N | Y / N |
Key questions to ask yourself:
- Can you smell the product strongly while using it? If yes, ventilation is probably not adequate.
- Are you using an extraction fan or working near an open window?
- Could you switch to a lower-fume alternative (e.g. ammonia-free colour, HEMA-free gel)?
2. Physical Demands
| Factor | Current situation | Risk level (Low / Medium / High) | Action needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours standing per day | [X] hours | ||
| Ability to take sitting breaks | [Y / N / Sometimes] | ||
| Heavy lifting (stock, equipment, furniture) | [Y / N] | ||
| Bending and leaning over clients | [Frequently / Sometimes / Rarely] | ||
| Number of clients per day | [X] | ||
| Break time between clients | [X] minutes | ||
| Access to food and water during work | [Y / N] | ||
| Access to toilet facilities | [Y / N] | ||
| Temperature of workspace | [Comfortable / Too hot / Too cold] | ||
| Travel required (if mobile) | [X] miles/day |
3. Treatment Modifications
Based on sections 1 and 2, decide which services you will continue, modify, or stop during your pregnancy.
| Treatment | Continue as normal | Modify (explain how) | Stop | From which trimester? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cutting and styling | ||||
| Blow drying | ||||
| Hair colouring | ||||
| Bleaching / highlights | ||||
| Keratin / smoothing | ||||
| Acrylic nails | ||||
| Gel nails | ||||
| Nail art (no chemicals) | ||||
| Waxing | ||||
| Facials | ||||
| Lash extensions | ||||
| Lash lift / tint | ||||
| Brow lamination | ||||
| Spray tanning | ||||
| Massage | ||||
| [Other - add your own] |
4. Action Plan
List the specific changes you are making as a result of this assessment.
| Action | By when | Done? |
|---|---|---|
| [e.g. Switch to ammonia-free colour] | [Date] | Y / N |
| [e.g. Reduce client load to X per day] | [Date] | Y / N |
| [e.g. Buy extraction fan for nail desk] | [Date] | Y / N |
| [e.g. Schedule 15-minute breaks between clients] | [Date] | Y / N |
| [e.g. Stop offering keratin treatments] | [Date] | Y / N |
| [e.g. Arrange cover for final 4 weeks] | [Date] | Y / N |
5. Review Dates
Review this assessment at least once a month, or whenever your circumstances change (e.g. new symptoms, new trimester, change of workspace).
| Review date | Trimester | Changes made | Signed |
|---|---|---|---|
| [DD/MM/YYYY] | First | ||
| [DD/MM/YYYY] | First | ||
| [DD/MM/YYYY] | Second | ||
| [DD/MM/YYYY] | Second | ||
| [DD/MM/YYYY] | Second | ||
| [DD/MM/YYYY] | Third | ||
| [DD/MM/YYYY] | Third | ||
| [DD/MM/YYYY] | Third |
How to use this template
- Complete this assessment as soon as you know you are pregnant, ideally in the first trimester.
- Review it at least once a month throughout your pregnancy. Your body and your tolerance for certain products and tasks will change.
- Share it with your midwife if helpful - they may have additional advice specific to your situation.
- Keep this document as evidence that you took reasonable steps to manage workplace risks. If anything goes wrong, it shows you were proactive.
- If you work in someone else's salon (even as a self-employed chair renter), share relevant parts with the salon owner so they are aware of any changes to your service menu.
- This is a self-assessment tool, not medical advice. If you have specific concerns about a product or chemical, speak to your GP or midwife and check the manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet.
- Store completed assessments securely for your records.
More templates in H&S
Patch Test Record Card
Structured card to document patch tests with product details, batch numbers, results and client signatures.
Open template
COSHH Assessment Form
Blank COSHH risk assessment form for beauty products with a completed example for hair colour (PPD/ammonia).
Open template
Barbershop Daily Hygiene Checklist
Printable daily opening, between-client and closing hygiene checklist for barbershops. Designed for lamination.
Open template