💅 Specialist COSHH for Nail Technicians

COSHH Assessments
for Nail Technicians

Nail technicians work with some of the most hazardous substances in any beauty trade — acrylic monomers, acetone, gel UV monomers, cyanoacrylate adhesives, and corrosive primers. COSHH assessments are a legal requirement. We make them precise, science-backed, and inspection-ready.

Get Your COSHH Assessment See What We Cover
£95 Flat-rate fee
5 Substances included +£15 per additional
48hr Typical turnaround
100% HSE aligned
Legal Requirement

Why Nail Technicians Need COSHH

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) apply to any business that uses hazardous substances at work. For nail technicians — whether in a salon, renting a chair, or working from home — that means acrylic systems, solvents, adhesives, and disinfectants all require valid, documented assessments.

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Acrylic monomers are classified sensitisers
Ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and related acrylate monomers are listed skin and respiratory sensitisers. Once sensitised, a technician may be unable to work with acrylics at all. COSHH Regulation 7 requires documented controls to prevent sensitisation occurring in the first place.
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Nail dust is a documented inhalation hazard
Filing acrylic enhancements generates respirable dust containing acrylate particles. HSE's own guidance identifies nail dust as a COSHH hazard requiring LEV (local exhaust ventilation) or equivalent controls. This must be documented in your assessment.
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HSE and local councils inspect beauty premises
Nail salons and beauty businesses are subject to inspection by both the HSE and local authority environmental health officers. Missing COSHH assessments are a primary enforcement trigger — and self-employed technicians are not exempt.
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Self-employed? You still have a duty
COSHH applies to self-employed nail technicians as well as employers. If you work alone — in a salon, mobile, or from home — you must still assess the hazardous substances you use and document the controls in place to protect yourself.
Relevant Legislation
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
  • Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
  • Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
  • Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002
  • GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulations (GB-CLP)
  • EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits (acrylates, acetone, ethyl acetate listed)
  • Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR)
Failure to comply is a criminal offence. AB SiteSafe assessments are written to satisfy the requirements of COSHH Regulations 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
What We Assess

Substances Typically Found
in Nail Technician Kits

We assess every substance against its Safety Data Sheet — not a generic template. Common substances in nail technician COSHH programmes include:

Acrylic System
Acrylic Monomer (EMA/MMA)
Liquid monomer used in acrylic nail systems. Ethyl methacrylate (EMA) is the most common — a classified skin and respiratory sensitiser. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is banned in professional nail products in some jurisdictions and must be identified if present.
Typical hazards: Skin sensitiser Cat.1, Respiratory sensitiser Cat.1, Flammable liquid Cat.2, STOT RE
Solvent
Acetone (Nail Polish Remover)
Primary solvent used for gel and acrylic removal. Highly flammable — DSEAR 2002 considerations apply. WEL listed in EH40 (500 ppm TWA / 1500 ppm STEL). Ventilation controls are required when used in volume.
Typical hazards: Flammable liquid Cat.2, Eye irritation Cat.2, STOT SE 3 (H336)
Gel System
UV/LED Gel Monomers (HEMA)
2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) is the most prevalent sensitiser in gel nail products. Classified as a skin sensitiser Cat.1A. Uncured gel on skin is the primary sensitisation route — nitrile gloves and barrier protection are essential controls.
Typical hazards: Skin sensitiser Cat.1A, Eye irritation, Aquatic hazard
Adhesive
Nail Adhesive (Cyanoacrylate)
Cyanoacrylate-based glue used for nail tip application and repairs. A respiratory sensitiser — vapour inhalation can trigger occupational asthma with repeated exposure. Good ventilation and avoidance of skin contact are critical controls.
Typical hazards: Respiratory sensitiser Cat.1, Skin/eye irritant, Bonds skin instantly
Acrylic System
Acrylic Primer (Methacrylic Acid)
Acid-based primer used to improve adhesion of acrylic product to the natural nail. Methacrylic acid is corrosive — causes skin burns and serious eye damage. One of the most hazardous substances in a nail technician's kit; requires strict PPE controls.
Typical hazards: Corrosive — Skin corrosion Cat.1A, Serious eye damage Cat.1, Flammable liquid
Nail Care
Cuticle Remover (KOH/NaOH)
Alkaline gel or liquid (potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide) used to dissolve and soften dead cuticle tissue. Corrosive at working concentrations — prolonged skin contact causes chemical burns. Must not contact eye area.
Typical hazards: Skin corrosion Cat.1, Serious eye damage Cat.1
Inhalation Hazard
Nail Dust (Acrylic / Gel Particles)
Generated during filing, shaping, and infill of acrylic and gel enhancements. Contains acrylate particles in the respirable size range. HSE identifies nail dust as requiring LEV (local exhaust ventilation) or high-filtration masks (FFP2/FFP3) as a minimum control.
Typical hazards: Inhalable and respirable dust, potential sensitiser carryover from cured acrylates
Disinfectant
Disinfectant Sprays & Wipes (QAC / IPA)
Used for tool, surface, and skin decontamination between clients. Products typically contain isopropanol (IPA), quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), or both. Each product requires its own SDS review — formulations vary significantly.
Typical hazards: Skin/eye irritation, Flammable (IPA-based products), Aquatic toxicity (QAC-based)
Solvent
Acetone-Free Remover (Ethyl Acetate)
Ethyl acetate-based alternative to acetone, used for gel and polish removal on clients who find acetone harsh. Highly flammable — DSEAR 2002 applies. WEL listed in EH40 (200 ppm TWA). Flash point is lower than acetone in some formulations.
Typical hazards: Flammable liquid Cat.2, Eye irritation, STOT SE 3 (H336)
Don't see a substance listed? We assess any substance with a Safety Data Sheet. If you have products not listed above — nail polish, builder gel, dip powder, prep solutions — contact us and we'll confirm coverage before you commit.
What's Included

Everything You Need,
Nothing You Don't

1
Full SDS review and data extraction
We read the actual Safety Data Sheet — not a generic database entry. Every hazard statement, WEL, PPE requirement, and emergency procedure is pulled from the current SDS for the specific product you use.
2
Exposure assessment and risk rating
We assess how, how often, and how much you use each substance — and rate inherent and residual risk using a likelihood × severity matrix, before and after controls.
3
Full hierarchy of controls
Elimination, substitution, engineering controls (including LEV for nail dust), administrative controls, and PPE — documented in priority order as required by COSHH Regulation 7.
4
PPE specification and emergency procedures
Specific PPE types, standards, and required? status for each substance. First aid measures for inhalation, skin, eye, and ingestion exposure — plus spill and fire procedures.
5
SDS compliance check and pending log
We check whether the SDS you hold is GB-CLP compliant (post-2021) and from the actual supplier in use. Non-compliant documents are flagged, and we manage the supplier request process.
6
Printable PDF — ready to file and display
Your completed assessment is delivered as a professionally formatted PDF, ready for HSE inspection, insurance purposes, or client display. No editing required.
Pricing
£95 / assessment
Up to 5 substances included. +£15 per additional substance.
  • Full SDS review for each substance
  • Hazard classification and H/P statements
  • Exposure assessment and risk rating
  • Hierarchy of controls documented
  • PPE specification per substance
  • Emergency procedures included
  • Storage and handling section
  • Health surveillance decision
  • Printable PDF delivered within 48 hours
  • One revision round included
Get Started — Free 15-Min Review
Most nail technicians have 8–12 products requiring assessment. We'll give you a fixed quote upfront — no surprises.
How It Works

From Enquiry to
Inspection-Ready PDF

1
Free 15-Min Review
We discuss which substances you use, whether you hold current SDS documents, and what your assessment programme needs to cover. No obligation.
2
Send Us Your SDS Files
Share your Safety Data Sheets — by email or WhatsApp. Don't have them all? We can help you source compliant SDS documents from your suppliers.
3
We Write the Assessment
Each substance is assessed individually — hazards, exposure, controls, PPE, and emergency procedures. Built from scratch using your actual products, not a template.
4
PDF Delivered — You're Done
Your completed COSHH assessment is delivered as a printable PDF within 48 hours. File it, display it, or present it at inspection — it's ready to go.

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COSHH Compliant?

Free 15-minute review. No obligation. Delivered within 48 hours.

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