Your legal obligation
What the law requires from self-employed florists
Health and safety responsibilities depend on the work you do, who could be affected and whether you employ anyone. Relevant hazards in floristry can include sharp tools, lifting buckets and displays, slips, deliveries and event-site work. Risk assessment and appropriate controls are central to managing those risks. Written records and specific policies may be required depending on your circumstances; for example, employers with five or more employees must record significant risk assessment findings. Check current HSE guidance and any sector-specific requirements. A purchased pack helps you organise your information but does not replace inspecting your own workplace, implementing controls or obtaining specialist advice when needed.
The real problem
Florists are among the trades with the most specific COSHH requirements but the lowest documentation rates
Free templates can be helpful, but you still need to work out which hazards and controls apply to your floristry business. Our questionnaire uses your answers to tailor the pack, giving you a clearer starting point to check, adapt and implement.
£47.99 one-off
Five personalised core PDF documents plus five supporting Word files. No subscription. Access, edit and regenerate your core documents in your account for 12 months; review them before use.
Your trade, specifically
The risks and requirements specific to your work
Florists handle multiple chemical hazards daily that require proper assessment and control. Flower preservatives containing biocides, formaldehyde-releasing agents, and fungicides are routinely used in water solutions and require COSHH evaluation. Stem conditioning chemicals such as citric acid and commercial flower food solutions present skin contact and inhalation risks, particularly during prolonged exposure in poorly ventilated workrooms. Sharp tools including secateurs, knives, and floral foam cutters pose laceration and puncture wound hazards, with particular risk during high-volume event preparation. Floral foam dust inhalation, while often overlooked, creates respiratory exposure during cutting and manipulation of oasis blocks. Thorns from roses, hypericum, and chrysanthemums cause frequent puncture wounds and infection risk. Pesticide residues on imported flowers, particularly chrysanthemums and carnations, present dermatological and respiratory concerns. Heavy lifting of buckets, bucket stands, and flower deliveries creates musculoskeletal strain, especially when combined with repetitive reaching and arm positioning during arrangement work. Cold storage units present thermal stress and humidity exposure. Our done-for-you assessment identifies every substance your business actually uses, maps exposure points specific to your workspace layout, and provides control measures tailored to florist operations.
The cost of getting it wrong
What happens without proper documentation
Poorly managed health and safety can lead to accidents, disruption, enforcement action or claims, depending on the circumstances. For florists, sensible priorities include sharp tools, lifting buckets and displays, slips, deliveries and event-site work. Buying documents alone does not remove those risks; the important step is to assess the work and follow appropriate controls.