Your legal obligation
Why event stylists need a COSHH assessment
Floral foam (oasis) is a primary COSHH concern for event stylists who use it regularly. It is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a potential human carcinogen, and the fine synthetic fibres released when it is cut present an inhalation risk. Event stylists who handle and cut floral foam throughout their working week need this material specifically addressed in their COSHH assessment. || Adhesives, spray paints, aerosol finishing products, and chemical treatments used on decoration materials also fall under COSHH. The assessment needs to cover all of these materials and the specific exposure routes during styling work. || CompliantDocs generates your COSHH assessment from the materials you tell us you use in your event styling work.
The real problem
Event stylist COSHH documentation rarely addresses floral foam adequately despite its significant hazard classification
Floral foam is one of the most underassessed COSHH substances in the event industry. Many event stylists are unaware of its hazard classification and handle it without the protective measures that a proper COSHH assessment would identify. CompliantDocs generates documentation that specifically addresses this material alongside the rest of your product range.
90 minutes
How long event stylists spend on COSHH documentation. Our service does it in minutes.
Your trade, specifically
The risks and requirements specific to your work
Event stylists work with hazardous substances daily that demand COSHH Assessment compliance. You handle hair sprays containing propane and butane propellants, which present inhalation and flammability risks at outdoor venues and marquees. Hairsprays, gel fixatives, and volumising mousses contain volatile organic compounds that can cause respiratory irritation during multi-hour styling sessions. You use adhesive products for hair extensions and false lashes, typically containing cyanoacrylate or polyurethane-based formulations that generate fumes in poorly ventilated bridal suites and hotel rooms. Skin contact with these adhesives risks chemical burns and dermatitis. Makeup setting sprays often contain alcohol and silicone compounds. You apply temporary hair dyes, glitter sprays, and body adhesives at events with limited ventilation. Tool risks include heated styling irons reaching 200 degrees Celsius, causing burn hazards to yourself and clients. You transport chemical containers in personal vehicles without proper storage containers, risking spills and contamination. Event venues vary dramatically in ventilation and space, from outdoor garden parties to windowless hotel rooms, meaning exposure control measures must adapt constantly. Your work involves close proximity to clients for extended periods, increasing inhalation exposure. Many event stylists work solo or with one assistant, meaning no supervision of hazard controls.
The cost of getting it wrong
What happens without proper documentation
Without proper COSHH Assessment documentation, event stylists face serious regulatory and financial consequences. The Health and Safety Executive can issue Improvement Notices requiring you to complete assessments within a specified timeframe, or Prohibition Notices stopping work entirely if hazards present imminent risk. Prosecution for breaches of COSHH Regulations carries unlimited fines and potential criminal liability for you personally as a sole trader. Your public liability insurance may reject claims if you cannot prove you assessed chemical hazards, leaving you personally liable for client injury claims relating to allergic reactions or chemical burns from adhesives. If a client develops dermatitis or respiratory issues linked to your hairspray use, they can pursue compensation through civil courts whilst HSE pursues enforcement simultaneously. Your business reputation suffers when clients discover you lack basic compliance documentation. The financial impact compounds when you must then hire consultants at 200 to 500 GBP to complete retrospective assessments after an incident. CompliantDocs eliminates this risk by delivering your done-for-you COSHH Assessment pack within minutes for 47.99 GBP, costing a fraction of consultant fees whilst protecting you immediately.