Checklist template

Chemical service safety for hair salons

A ready-to-use checklist with 118 items in 6 sections, covering Patch tests, Mixing, Ventilation, Protective equipment, Storage, Incident response. Use it as-is in InspectLoop, or adapt it to your own standards in minutes.

  • 6 Sections
  • 118 Items
  • 103 Yes / No checks
  • 6 Scored ratings
  • 133 Points

Use this template How audits work

1. Patch tests 20 items

  1. The company's skin allergy (patch) test policy is available at the front desk Yes / No 1 pt
  2. New color clients receive a patch test ahead of their first color service, with the lead time in the manufacturer's instructions Yes / No 1 pt
  3. The patch test date and result are on the client record (5 color clients sampled) Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Client records in the sample of 5 with no patch test entry Number
  5. The patch test is applied where the manufacturer instructs (behind the ear or inside the elbow) Yes / No 1 pt
  6. The patch test uses the product line that will be applied at the service Yes / No 1 pt
  7. The patch test is repeated when the color brand or product line changes Yes / No 1 pt
  8. The patch test is repeated after the gap between color services set by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Clients are asked at each color visit about any reaction since the last service Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Clients are asked about past reactions to hair dye or black henna tattoos Yes / No 1 pt
  11. The front desk tells clients about the patch test when a first color service is booked Yes / No 1 pt
  12. A stylist asked could state the policy when a client refuses a patch test Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Clients are asked about scalp conditions (psoriasis, eczema) before a chemical service Yes / No 1 pt
  14. A stylist asked said a chemical service is postponed when the scalp is broken or irritated Yes / No 1 pt
  15. The stylist checks the patch test result on the client record before mixing, not only the front desk at booking Yes / No 1 pt
  16. A client with a positive patch test is flagged in the booking system so color cannot be booked Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Color is not applied to clients below the age stated on the manufacturer's label Yes / No 1 pt
  18. A patch test is done before lash or brow tinting, where the salon offers it Yes / No 1 pt
  19. A stylist asked could name the signs of an allergic reaction: itching, burning, swelling, rash Yes / No 1 pt
  20. Patch test discipline Rating
    • Tested and recorded for every client sampled 5 pts
    • Tested but records incomplete 3 pts
    • Patch tests not done 1 pt

2. Mixing 21 items

  1. Color is mixed in the dispensary or designated mixing area and not at the styling station Yes / No 1 pt
  2. The manufacturer's mixing instructions are available in the dispensary Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Lightener powder is scooped gently and kept low over the bowl to limit airborne dust Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Color is mixed in non-metallic bowls with non-metallic tools Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Mixed lightener or color is never kept in a closed bottle or container Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Leftover mixed color is discarded and not kept for a later client Yes / No 1 pt
  7. The lid goes back on the lightener powder tub right after scooping Yes / No 1 pt
  8. The developer strength used on the scalp stays within the manufacturer's limit for on-scalp application Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Products of different manufacturers are not mixed together unless the instructions allow it Yes / No 1 pt
  10. A stylist asked knew that thio-based and hydroxide-based straighteners must not be applied over each other Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Perm neutralizer and relaxer neutralizing shampoo are left on for the time in the manufacturer's instructions Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Working timers available in the salon Number
  13. The company's approved product list states the developer strengths allowed for each service Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Hood dryers and processors used on chemical services have undamaged cords and plugs Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Scalp base or protective cream is applied before a relaxer, as the manufacturer's instructions require Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Bowls and brushes are rinsed in the dispensary sink right after use Yes / No 1 pt
  17. The mixing counter is free of spilled developer and lightener Yes / No 1 pt
  18. No food or drink is in the mixing area Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Mixed bowls are not left unattended within reach of clients or children Yes / No 1 pt
  20. The client's head is tilted back at the shampoo bowl when chemicals are rinsed out, to keep them from the eyes Yes / No 1 pt
  21. Mixing and application practice Rating
    • Follows manufacturer's instructions throughout 5 pts
    • One lapse seen 3 pts
    • Unsafe mixing or handling seen 1 pt

3. Ventilation 18 items

  1. The dispensary has mechanical exhaust ventilation Yes / No 1 pt
  2. The dispensary exhaust fan was running during the visit Yes / No 1 pt
  3. The exhaust fan draws air (a tissue held at the grille is pulled toward it) Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Ventilation grilles are free of dust and hair Yes / No 1 pt
  5. The salon's ventilation fan is set to run continuously during opening hours Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Ventilation filters are changed on the schedule set by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Date of the last ventilation filter change Date
  8. The ventilation system service record is available at the site Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Smoothing and keratin products in the salon are on the company's approved product list Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Smoothing treatments are done only at stations with source-capture ventilation, or as company policy states Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Stations equipped with source-capture ventilation Number
  12. Filters of portable fume extractors are replaced at the hours stated by the manufacturer Yes / No 1 pt
  13. No strong chemical odor lingered in the service area during the visit Yes / No 1 pt
  14. No visible fumes lingered around a smoothing service during flat ironing (observed, if a service was under way) Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Foils and cotton soaked with chemicals go into a lidded waste bin Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Air monitoring results are on file where local regulation or company policy requires them Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Employee reports of headaches, eye irritation or breathing irritation are logged Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Air quality in the dispensary and service area Rating
    • Ventilation working, no lingering odor 5 pts
    • Ventilation working but odor lingers 3 pts
    • Ventilation off, blocked or absent 1 pt

4. Protective equipment 18 items

  1. Disposable non-latex gloves are stocked in the dispensary in each size worn by the staff on duty Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Boxes of gloves on hand Number
  3. Stylists wear gloves when mixing color (observed) Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Stylists wear gloves when applying color, lightener, relaxer or perm solution (observed) Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Gloves are worn when chemicals are rinsed out at the shampoo bowl (observed) Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Single-use gloves are discarded after each client and not washed for reuse Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Long-cuff gloves are available for relaxer services Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Stylists wear an apron during chemical services Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Eye protection is available in the dispensary for handling lightener powder and concentrated developer Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Dust masks are available for mixing lightener that is not a dust-free formula, as company policy states Yes / No 1 pt
  11. The client's eyes are protected with a towel or shield when chemicals are applied near the face Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Cotton coil is placed around the hairline before perm solution or relaxer is applied Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Eye shields or pads are used for lash and brow tinting Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Hand moisturizer is provided for staff Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Shampoo assistants wear gloves or rotate away from wet work as company policy states Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Employees' hands are checked for dermatitis on the schedule set by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  17. An employee with broken or inflamed skin on the hands has been referred or reassigned as company policy states Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Use of protective equipment during chemical services Rating
    • Worn at every step observed 5 pts
    • Worn at some steps 3 pts
    • Rarely worn 1 pt

5. Storage 19 items

  1. Chemical products are stored in the dispensary, away from heat sources and direct sunlight Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Developer bottles are stored upright with their caps closed Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Developers are stored apart from aerosols and alcohol-based products Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Aerosol hairsprays are stored away from dryers and heaters Yes / No 1 pt
  5. The quantity of aerosols and flammable liquids on site is within the limit set by local fire regulation or company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Chemical products are kept in their original labeled containers Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Any decanted product is labeled with the product name and its hazard Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Liter and gallon containers are stored below shoulder height Yes / No 1 pt
  9. No chemical product is stored on the floor Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Clients and children cannot enter the dispensary Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Safety data sheets are on file for color, developer, lightener, relaxer, perm and smoothing products Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Five products taken from the shelf each had a safety data sheet in the binder or system Yes / No 1 pt
  13. An employee asked could show where the safety data sheets are kept Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Each employee who handles chemicals has a hazard communication training record Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Products that are expired or separated have been removed Yes / No 1 pt
  16. No developer bottle on the shelf is bulged or swollen Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Unused mixed chemicals are disposed of as local regulation and the manufacturer require Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Absorbent material for spills is kept in the dispensary Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Storage of chemical products Rating
    • Orderly, labeled and segregated 5 pts
    • Minor issues 3 pts
    • Unlabeled, mixed or exposed to heat 1 pt

6. Incident response 22 items

  1. An eyewash station or sealed eyewash bottles are within reach of the dispensary Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Eyewash is within reach of the shampoo area Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Eyewash bottles are within their expiry date Yes / No 1 pt
  4. The first aid kit includes burn dressings Yes / No 1 pt
  5. A stylist asked knew to flush the eye with water for at least 15 minutes when a chemical gets in it Yes / No 1 pt
  6. A stylist asked knew to rinse at once with cool water when a client reports burning during processing Yes / No 1 pt
  7. A stylist asked knew to call emergency services when a client shows facial swelling or difficulty breathing Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Emergency and poison control numbers are posted in the dispensary Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Incident report forms are available at the front desk Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Each client reaction is recorded with the product, its batch number and the time of onset Yes / No 1 pt
  11. The product involved in a reaction is set aside with its batch number Yes / No 1 pt
  12. A reaction is flagged on the client record so it shows at the next booking Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Chemical incidents are reported to head office within the time set by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Chemical incidents recorded in the last 12 months Number
  15. Date of the most recent chemical incident Date
  16. A follow-up call to the client is documented for each incident Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Employee chemical exposures and dermatitis cases are recorded as workplace incidents Yes / No 1 pt
  18. A fire extinguisher with a current inspection tag is in or next to the dispensary Yes / No 1 pt
  19. At least one employee on each shift holds a current first aid certificate Yes / No 1 pt
  20. Name of the salon manager Short text
  21. Overall chemical service safety Rating
    • Tested, ventilated, protected and stored safely 5 pts
    • Safe practice with gaps in one area 3 pts
    • Gaps in several areas 1 pt
  22. Corrective actions required Comments

About this template

This checklist is part of the InspectLoop template library. Yes / No checks score 1 point when met; ratings score the points shown for each option. The overall score is the percentage of points earned, with N/A answers excluded. In InspectLoop you can add photos, assign corrective actions, require sign-off and compare results across sites.

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