Personal services compliance checklist

Work through every section that applies to your business. Tick off each item when you have confirmed it is in place. If an item does not apply — for example you do not operate a dry-cleaning machine — skip that section.

Section 1 — Health and safety at work

• Have you identified your general duties as an employer (or self-employed person) under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974?
• Have you carried out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment covering your premises, equipment, substances and work activities?
• If you employ five or more people, have you recorded the significant findings of your risk assessment in writing?
• Have you appointed a competent person to help you comply with health and safety law?
• Have you set up arrangements for first aid, accident reporting and emergency procedures?
• Have you provided your employees with the information, instruction, training and supervision they need to work safely?
• Have you consulted your employees (or their safety representatives) on health and safety matters?
• Have you displayed the HSE-approved health and safety law poster (or given each employee the equivalent leaflet)?

Section 2 — COSHH (hazardous substances)

• Have you identified all hazardous substances used in your business — including hair dyes, bleaches, nail acrylates, cleaning products, dry-cleaning solvents, embalming fluids and spa-pool biocides?
• Have you obtained the safety data sheet (SDS) for each product?
• Have you carried out a COSHH assessment for each substance or group of substances?
• Have you put controls in place to prevent or adequately control exposure — such as local exhaust ventilation, gloves, aprons and eye protection?
• Have you arranged health surveillance where required — for example dermatitis monitoring for hairdressers?
• Have you provided COSHH training to all staff who handle hazardous substances?

Section 3 — Fire safety

• Have you carried out a fire risk assessment of your premises?
• Have you identified and maintained clear escape routes and exits?
• Have you installed appropriate fire detection, alarms and firefighting equipment?
• Are flammable products (aerosols, acetone, alcohol-based sanitiser) stored safely in controlled quantities?
• Have you provided fire safety training to your staff?
• Do you have a written fire emergency plan, and have you practised it?

Section 4 — Employers' liability insurance

• Do you employ anyone (including part-time staff, apprentices or family members)?
• If yes, do you hold employers' liability insurance with a minimum cover of £5 million from an authorised insurer?
• Have you displayed the certificate (or made it available electronically to employees)?

Section 5 — Equality and data protection

• Do you understand your duties under the Equality Act 2010 (or the equivalent Northern Ireland legislation) not to discriminate against clients, employees or job applicants on the basis of the protected characteristics?
• Have you made reasonable adjustments for disabled clients and employees?
• Have you registered with the ICO for data protection (unless exempt)?
• Have you identified a lawful basis under UK GDPR for each type of personal data you process — client records, booking details, medical questionnaires, patch-test results, CCTV footage, staff payroll?
• Do you have a privacy notice informing individuals how you use their data?
• Are personal data stored securely — both paper records and electronic systems?

Section 6 — Dry-cleaning solvent controls (if applicable)

• If you operate a dry-cleaning machine using perchloroethylene (perc) or other solvents, have you obtained a Part B environmental permit from your local authority (England and Wales), a PPC permit from SEPA (Scotland) or NIEA (Northern Ireland)?
• Are you monitoring and reporting solvent emissions as required by the permit?
• Are you complying with COSHH for staff exposure to perc — including workplace exposure limit monitoring (20 ppm 8-hour TWA), local exhaust ventilation, health surveillance and training?

Section 7 — Skin-piercing registration (if applicable)

• If you carry out tattooing, semi-permanent make-up, cosmetic piercing, electrolysis or acupuncture, have you registered both yourself and your premises with the local authority?
• In Wales, check with your local authority whether the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 Part 4 mandatory licensing scheme is in force in your area. If not yet commenced, have you registered under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 where adopted?
• In Scotland, do you hold a licence under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982?
• Do you meet the hygiene conditions set by the local authority — including sterilisation of reusable equipment, use of single-use needles, clean working surfaces and adequate handwashing facilities?
• Do you keep records of client consent, aftercare advice given and any adverse reactions?
• If you provide a mobile service, have you registered with every local authority in whose area you operate?

Section 8 — Special treatment licence (if applicable)

• Have you checked with your local authority whether a special treatment licence is required for your premises?
• If required, have you applied for and obtained the licence before opening?
• Do you comply with the conditions of the licence — typically covering premises standards, hygiene, staff qualifications, insurance and display of the licence?

Section 9 — Legionella risk management (if applicable)

• If you operate a spa pool, hot tub, whirlpool bath or any other water system that stores or distributes water between 20°C and 45°C with aerosol potential, have you carried out a legionella risk assessment?
• Have you appointed a responsible person with day-to-day control of the water system?
• Do you have a written control scheme covering temperature management, water treatment, cleaning, disinfection and record-keeping?
• Are you carrying out regular microbiological monitoring of spa-pool water, including testing for legionella?