Ever stop to admire your salon and think, “Wow, surely nothing could ever go wrong at my business?” Nope, chances are, you fret over the possibility of random accidents happening at your salon and need a practical way to spot risks before they turn into lawsuits!
Download your free salon risk assessment template now and start checking off your way to a safer space.
What Is a Salon Risk Assessment?
A salon risk assessment is a safety check for your business! It’s the practice of identifying risks in your salon, evaluating them, and taking action to lower them.
Why Salon Insurance Risk Management Matters
You make beauty happen at your salon, but sometimes things get ugly. An unrouted hot tool cord here and a mislabeled bleach solution there — you face many common salon risks that can end up costing you big.
Managing the risk at your salon with an assessment is a proactive way to keep your business running smoothly. It reduces your chances of hearing a dreaded “You failed to run a safe salon!” claim from a client or employee.
No matter how big or small your salon is (yes, even if it’s just you offering services!), doing thorough risk assessments is an unskippable business practice.
Pro Tip: Curious about what liability risks in salons look like in the real world? Check out these salon owner claims examples. Hint: perm rods. $52K.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Assessing Risk
How to do a salon risk assessment:
- Identify risks at your salon
- Evaluate for likelihood and impact
- Set practical steps for reducing risk
- Review regularly
Identifying all the risks at your salon can feel overwhelming. There are some obvious hazards and not-so-obvious ones! So, let’s break down the common risks by type.
For each risk type, ask yourself, “What can go wrong here?” Think about things that can cause injuries or hurt your business. List each risk out.
Next, assess each risk for two things: how likely it is to become a problem and how much it would impact your salon.
- Likelihood: Low, medium, or high chance of happening
- Impact: Low, medium, or high impact on your business
After you evaluate your risks, come up with solutions to lower them. These may be as simple as clearing out a walkway or more involved, like conducting a training session on handling a new chemical.
The last step is to review your risk assessment regularly. Your salon changes with each new service or influx of clientele — and your risks do, too. Thinking of risk management as ongoing is essential because your salon can always be safer.
Physical Hazards
Walk through your salon as a client, from the entrance to various stations, bathrooms, reception desk, and back out. Then, do the same as a stylist — what path would they take as they work? Look for potential hazards that could hurt someone physically at each step.
Common Risks
- Tripping hazards like loose cords, stacked supplies, or uneven flooring
- Floor areas that frequently get wet, like near the handwashing or shampoo station
- Wobbly chairs, sinks, or tables that can fall over
- Improperly mounted shelves, mirrors, or decor
- Walkways or waiting areas that are cluttered or dimly lit
- Sharp tools exposed to clients walking by
- Hot tools left plugged in and unattended
- Malfunctioning equipment, like hot tools, UV lamps, or nail drills
Evaluation
- Medium to high likelihood: Daily operations mean lots of moving parts
- Medium to high impact: Can cause minor to serious injuries
Solution Example
- For wet floor areas: Add non-slip mats, keep “Wet Floor” signs on hand, and do hourly checks to mop up excess water
Hear From a Pro: How Important is Cleanliness?
“I have a strict policy for cleanliness in my salon. We stay on top of spills, wet areas, hair color stains, and sweep up the buildup of hair debris at all times of the day. There have been times when clients have gotten hair color on their clothes because we didn’t clean it off the seat, and that has been our responsibility to replace. Therefore, our rigorous checking and cleaning of any residue eliminates that risk.” – Nikki Cestaro, Owner of Karma Beauty Studio
Chemical Hazards
Account for every chemical product your salon uses. This includes shampoos, conditioners, hair dye, bleach, nail polish remover, disinfectants, and cleaning solutions.
Make sure there is proper ventilation wherever these are used or stored. Keep gloves and other protective gear easily accessible for handling strong chemicals.
Double-check all labeling, especially for products like developer. It’s easy to mix up identical bottles filled with mixes of different volume strengths or expiration dates if they’re not labeled distinctly.
Common Risks
- Improperly labeled chemical products
- Staff not following storage or mixing protocols
- Not enough gloves, face masks, or protective gear in stock
- Inadequate ventilation (no open windows or working fans)
Evaluation
- Medium to high likelihood: Chemicals are used daily in salons
- Medium to high impact: Can cause skin irritation, chemical burns, or long-term respiratory issues
Solution Example
- For labeling chemical products: Use color-coded labels or caps to make it easier to distinguish different products. Create a review checklist where staff can sign off on storage, mixing, and labeling. Keep Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) accessible — legally required!
Fire and Electrical Hazards
In 2023, firefighters responded to about 1.4 million fires in the U.S.! It’s a common hazard that can put serious heat on your bank account. So, look out for anything in your salon that could potentially overheat and cause a fire.
Common Risks
- Overloaded outlets
- Faulty wiring or tools
- Flammable products near heat sources
- Hot tools or candles left unattended
- Missing or expired fire extinguishers
Evaluation
- Low to medium likelihood
- High impact: Can cause major property damage and injury
Solution Example
- For outlet safety, use surge protectors and avoid overloading outlets (aim to only plug in one hot tool per outlet at a time)
Health and Biological Hazards
Salon services inherently involve a lot of skin-to-skin contact, which means there’s a lot of opportunity to spread nasties, like bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Think about all the close physical interactions you or your staff might have with clients — how can you reduce the chances of biological hazards?
Common Risks
- Improperly sanitized tools
- Shared equipment between stylists
- No antibacterial soap at sinks
- No accessible hand sanitizer
- Unenforced cleaning protocols
- Lack of disposable gloves or single-use applicators
Evaluation
- Medium likelihood: Depending on your traffic and sanitation standards
- High impact: Can cause client infections and state license issues
Solution Example
- For proper tool sanitization, enforce a protocol that includes using a disinfectant, sterilization bags, and a high-temperature sanitizer.
Hear From a Pro: What’s an Overlooked Risk?
“Chemical Sensitivities: Many salon owners focus only on physical hazards, but product allergies and skin sensitivities are common. We do patch tests for colorants and always disclose ingredients in our wellness products.
Emotional Comfort: A stressed or anxious client is more likely to panic mid-service. Creating a calm environment and explaining each step reduces misunderstandings and complaints.” – Wadeea Rothwell-Owens, Founder and CEO of BrowWell
Theft and Security Risks
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 56% of small businesses surveyed have experienced theft. Even if you run a one-chair salon, you’re never too small to be targeted for a break-in!
Common Risks
- Cash left unsecured at the reception desk
- Unlocked back doors or side entrances
- Personal belongings left unattended
- Expensive equipment or tech placed near the entrance
Evaluation
- Medium likelihood: Can also depend on your location
- Medium to high impact: Stolen business property is costly to replace or can force you to cancel appointments
Solution Example
- For increased overall safety, install security cameras, switch to digital payments, and train your staff on how to spot suspicious activity.
Business and Liability Risks
If a client were ever to feel “wronged” by your salon — as in, get hurt, have their property damaged, or claim your services weren’t up to par — you can be held responsible for paying to make things right with them.
Liability claims cost you time, money, and energy. They can even close your salon for good, so it’s crucial to protect your business from potential lawsuits now.
Common Risks
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Service-related injuries
- Dissatisfied clients
- Accusations of misconduct
- Data breaches of sensitive client information
Evaluation
- Medium likelihood
- Very high impact: Can lead to lawsuits and reputation damage
Solution Example
- For peace of mind, carry salon liability insurance to financially protect your business from client claims of injury, property damage, and more.
Pro Tip: Salon insurance is more affordable and easier to buy than you think! Beauty & Bodywork Insurance (BBI) offers coverage per station for your whole team, starting at $31.08 a month. Check out our salon insurance comparison to see how we outshine other policies on the market.
How to Use The Salon Risk Template
To use the free salon risk assessment guide:
- Download your copy
- Perform the risk assessment
- Fill out each section for risk, likelihood, impact, and action
- Add any risks unique to your salon
- Sign and date the template form
- Store securely in an organized file
- Review before your next assessment
BBI, The Backup to Your Risk Assessment
No matter how careful you are, accidents may still happen at your salon. Remember the liability insurance we mentioned earlier? That’s your safety net if any of these salon what-ifs turn into actual oh-nos.
Salon insurance from BBI gives you peace of mind to focus on growing your salon — not on everyday risks. With a combo of regular risk assessments and comprehensive coverage, you can help clients look their best and feel confident your salon is set up for success.
FAQs About Salon Risk Assessments
What Are the Top Liability Risks Salon Owners Face?
Salon owners’ top liability risks are client slip-and-fall accidents, allergic reactions to products, and chemical burns. Even small mistakes can result in costly claims, so it’s important to reduce risk by performing regular salon assessments and carrying liability insurance.
What Is the Difference Between General and Professional Liability Insurance for Salons?
General liability insurance covers accidents like client slip-and-fall injuries or property damage. Professional liability protects your business against claims of negligence or mistakes made during services. Learn more about how these coverages differ.
How Often Should I Perform a Risk Assessment for My Salon?
You should do risk assessments at least once a year, but to keep your salon as safe as possible, aim for a seasonal cadence or whenever you add new services or equipment.
