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Appendix 3 - How to do a risk assessment

Step 1 - Decide on who will do the risk assessment
Step 2 - Divide your work into tasks
Step 3 - Identify all substances used in your work processes
Step 4 - Identify which substances are hazardous
Step 5 - Find information about hazardous substances
Step 6 - Inspect and evaluate exposure
Step 7 - Evaluate the risk
Step 8 - Decide what to do to control the risk
Step 9 - Record the assessment
Step 10 - Review of control measures

Part 13 (Hazardous Substances) of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 requires employers and self-employed persons to assess the risk arising from the use of a hazardous substance at a workplace. If you identify a risk to the health of yourself or your workers from the use of a hazardous substance, you must implement controls to:

There are several ways to conduct a risk assessment. One method is outlined below.

Step 1 - Decide on who will do the risk assessment

This person could be the salon manager, owner, senior hairdresser, nail technician or beauty therapist. This person will coordinate the assessment, delegate tasks and be responsible for taking notes and writing up information for the register.

Step 2 - Divide your work into tasks

Look at each work process used at your workplace and divide into separate tasks. Include all work processes in your assessment such as cleaning the salon or your equipment.

For example:

Step 3 - Identify all substances used in your work processes

Look at all substances you use. This will include products used for cleaning, hair products and nail products. You can identify all substances by:

Step 4 - Identify which substances are hazardous

Carefully read the label and MSDS for each product to find out whether the product contains a hazardous substance or not. If you are unsure whether a substance is a hazardous substance, contact your supplier.

Step 5 - Find information about hazardous substances

The label and MSDS for each substance will provide you with information on how to use the substance safely.

Step 6 - Inspect and evaluate exposure

The work process should be examined to find out how the substance is being used and if there is a possibility of a worker being exposed to it. An analysis of a work process might include looking at:

The checklist in appendix 4 may help you to analyse the work process.

Step 7 - Evaluate the risk

The previous step will provide you with sufficient information to establish:

In doing so, you should be able to establish one of four conclusions.

  1. There is no significant risk to health.
  2. There is a significant risk to health but it is well controlled.
  3. There is a significant risk to health that needs to be controlled.
  4. Uncertain about the risk - need to get more information on the substance, work or the exposure.

Step 8 Decide what to do to control the risk

Control or prevention of exposure is achieved by implementing appropriate control measures according to the list of control priorities. It may be enough to follow the information on the MSDS. You will have to decide if the training for workers on the safe use of a chemical is effective. You will also have to set up a date for monitoring the work processes to see that exposure remains at an acceptable level and that workers are monitored for adverse health effects.

Step 9 - Record the assessment

Make notes of what you have done. Your assessment records should reflect the detail of the assessment and provide sufficient information to show how decisions about risk and control measures were made.

Step 10 - Review of control measures

All measures for the control of exposure should be thoroughly examined and tested at regular intervals to ensure effective performance. Controls should be reviewed if work-related ill health is reported.