Personal Injury Claims for Hairdressers

Injured whilst working in Hairdressing Salon

Like every other occupation, being a hairdresser or barber comes with its own hazards and risks of personal injury.  If you have suffered an injury whilst working in a hairdressing salon or barber shop, which was not your fault, you may be able to make a personal injury claim for compensation.

You can contact Thompsons Solicitors to discuss your case and find out if it is something we can help you with.  There will be no obligation to instruct us.

Call us on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

Common injuries suffered by Hairdressers

Injuries suffered in Hairdressing Salons

Some of the most common injuries suffered by hairdressers are listed below.  If your injury type is not listed, we may still be able to help you with a personal injury claim  for compensation. 

To discuss further how we may be able to help you, call us on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.

Burns including chemical burns

Within a hairdressing salon there are often a lot of heat-styling tools such as blow dryers, curling tongs and hair straighteners.  These should all be inspected regularly to ensure they are in a safe condition and should be turned off when not in use to prevent accidental burns.

Hairdressers are also at risk from chemical burns as they frequently deal with chemicals such as hair dyes and bleaches, some of which can cause burns if they come into contact with the skin.

Electric Shocks

In an environment where water is used alongside electrical equipment there is always a danger of electric shocks.

A hairdressing salon should be set out in such a way that all dryers, curling tongs and hair straighteners are kept at a safe distance from the basins.  The electrical equipment should also be checked regularly for any defects.

Slips, Trips and Falls

A good system of keeping the floor free from splashes of water and excess hair is important in a hairdressing salon.  Slips and trips can result in a wide range of injuries including broken bones, soft tissue injuries and head injuries.

Dermatitis

Hairdressers can be exposed to many different chemicals throughout their working day from shampoos and conditioners to hair dyes and colours, bleaches and other hairstyling products.

Hairdressers can also spend a lot of time with their hands in water and all of these things can contribute to the risk of developing dermatitis.

Latex Allergy

As a way of protecting the skin on their hands from chemicals or frequent water exposure, hairdressers sometimes wear protective gloves.  If the gloves provided are latex based, there is a risk of the hairdresser developing a latex allergy or worsening an existing latex allergy.  Synthetic gloves made of vinyl or nitrile are a much safer alternative to latex.

Latex allergies can cause skin conditions such as eczema and other types of dermatitis and respiratory problems such as asthma.

COSHH Regulations

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

As mentioned above, one of the main hazards hairdressers face at work is exposure to harmful chemicals.

There are detailed regulations in place which are designed to protect all workers, including hairdressers from exposure to chemicals and other harmful substances in the workplace and these are called “The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations” or COSHH for short.

The COSHH Regulations recommend that employers should use alternatives to harmful chemicals wherever possible, so employers must assess the health risks which come from those chemicals and take steps to prevent or control exposure. They should also, wherever appropriate, monitor the hairdressers' exposure and properly inform, instruct and train their employees to deal with harmful chemicals.