Functional Skills English - Level 1 Reading - Risk Assessments in a Salon

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle

A Level 1 Functional Skills English reading passage explains why salons need risk assessments and how the process works as a legal requirement in the United Kingdom. It defines risk assessment as identifying hazards, evaluating risk levels, and implementing controls to stop or reduce harm. The text lists step-by-step actions and provides a table of common salon risks with practical mitigation measures, including slips, trips, fumes, chemical burns, and issues with new equipment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Why do salons need a risk assessment?

What is a risk assessment?

Examples of risks and measures to reduce them

Questions

Functional Skills English | Level 1 Reading | Risk Assessments in a Salon Why do salons need a risk assessment? Risk assessments are an important part of working in or owning a salon. In fact, they are a legal requirement in the United Kingdom. They are designed to help protect the staff, customers and the business. They do this by preventing accidents and injuries. What is a risk assessment? A risk assessment is about identifying potential hazards in the workplace, evaluating those risk and putting measures in place to stop or reduce them. To carry out a risk assessment, you need to follow these steps: • Identify any hazards: This would be in the salon and the stockroom. • Assess the risks: Think about who might be hurt and how. Also consider how likely the risks are to happen. • Mitigate the risk: Identify measures to reduce the risks and put them in place. • Complete the risk assessment form. • Review regularly. Examples of risks and measures to reduce them | Risk | Measure | | --- | --- | | Tripping Hazards, e.g. wires and customer bags | Ensure the workplace is kept tidy | | Fumes from chemicals | Increase ventilation | | Chemical burns on hands | Wear gloves and wash hands frequently | | Slips | Ensure all slippages are cleaned up immediately | | Cuts from sharp objects like scissors, razors and needles | Ensure all sharp objects are stored and disposed of correctly | | Problems with new equipment | Ensure staff are trained on all new equipment | Remember, health and safety is everyone’s responsibility. Questions 1. What can be done to ensure trips and slips are kept to a minimum in the salon? 2. What is the purpose of a risk assessment? 3. What four text features are used to make the information easier to access? 4. Using a dictionary, what is meant by the following term? Increase ventilation 5. Using a dictionary, what is meant by the following term? Mitigate the risk 6. ‘They are designed to help protect the staff, customers and the business.’Why is the comma used in this quotation?

FAQs

What is the purpose of a risk assessment for a salon?

A risk assessment helps protect staff, customers, and the business by preventing accidents and injuries through identifying hazards and putting controls in place.

What steps are involved in carrying out a risk assessment?

You must identify hazards, assess the risks (who could be hurt and how likely it is), mitigate the risk with measures, complete the risk assessment form, and review regularly.

How can trips and slips be kept to a minimum in a salon?

Keep the workplace tidy to reduce tripping hazards and ensure slippages are cleaned up immediately to reduce slip risks.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle