Hair cutting & barbering Risk Assessment Template

Typical hazards & measures

• Slips and trips (hair on floor/cables) — Sweep between every client; use hair-collection mats and cable tidies; keep walkways clear and instantly spot-clean spills. Store trolleys close to the chair, fit non-slip footwear guidance for staff, and inspect floors for loose trims or curled mats each hour.
• Fainting or vasovagal episodes — Watch for pallor, sweating or dizziness; stop the service, recline the chair, and offer water and fresh air. Avoid tight capes; don’t lock knees during long beard shaves; record the event and suggest a snack before future appointments if prone.
• Neck strip and cape hygiene — Use single-use neck strips for every client and launder capes at high temperature daily. Replace damaged capes, avoid cape-to-skin contact, and keep clean/used linen clearly separated; disinfect cape clasps and chair contact points between clients.
• Electrical safety (clippers/dryers) — Daily visual checks for cracked casings, loose plugs and nicked cables; tag out damaged tools. PAT test to schedule; avoid daisy-chains, keep cords off wet areas, and unplug before blade changes or cleaning; provide RCD protection on tool circuits.
• Aerosol and hair dust inhalation — Minimise sprays, use pump alternatives where practical, and run local extraction or open windows for cross-flow. Keep mixing and heavy spraying away from clients; sweep/vacuum hair frequently and dispose into closed bins; provide masks on request.