Dog Grooming Risk Assessment: What to Include and How to Write One

TL;DR: A dog grooming risk assessment must cover hazards that generic templates miss entirely — animal bites and scratches, zoonotic diseases, grooming chemicals containing sensitisers like methylisothiazolinone, high-velocity dryers producing over 100 dB, electrical equipment used near water, and the lone working risks that come with mobile grooming. UK groomers need to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, COSHH 2002, and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. In Ireland, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 applies. This guide walks you through every hazard, every control measure, and exactly what inspectors and insurers expect to see.

Introduction — Why a Generic Risk Assessment Will Not Cut It

If you run a dog grooming business, you already know that your working day looks nothing like an office job. You spend your hours handling animals that can bite, scratch, kick, and panic without warning. You use electrical equipment inches from running water. You work with chemicals that carry genuine health risks. And if you are a mobile groomer, you are doing all of this alone in someone else’s home or in the back of a converted van.

A generic risk assessment template — the kind you can download for free from a general business website — does not cover any of that. It will mention slips, trips, and falls. It might cover display screen equipment. But it will not mention the risk of a 40 kg German Shepherd lunging off a grooming table, or the dermatitis you can develop from repeated exposure to grooming shampoos, or what to do if a dog with ringworm comes in for a bath.

That matters, because the whole point of a risk assessment is to identify the hazards that are specific to your work and put sensible controls in place. If your risk assessment does not reflect what actually happens in your salon or van on a Tuesday morning, it is not worth the paper it is written on — and it will not protect you when an inspector or an insurer comes asking questions.

This guide covers everything you need to include in a dog grooming risk assessment. It is written for UK and Ireland groomers — salon-based, home-based, and mobile — and it follows the HSE’s 5-step process that inspectors recognise. If you want a broader introduction to risk assessments before diving into the grooming-specific detail, start with our health and safety risk assessment guide.

For a wider look at compliance for dog groomers, including policies, insurance, and documentation, see our health and safety guide for dog groomers.

Legal Requirements

Before we get into the specifics, let us be clear about what the law actually requires.

United Kingdom

The overarching duty comes from the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA), Section 2. Every employer must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees. Section 3 extends that duty to anyone else affected by your work — which includes the dogs in your care, their owners, and anyone visiting your premises.

The specific obligation to carry out risk assessments comes from the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR), Regulation 3. If you employ five or more people, you must record the significant findings in writing. If you employ fewer than five, you still need to carry out the assessment — you just do not have a strict legal obligation to write it down. That said, you absolutely should, because without a written record you have no evidence of compliance.

Two additional sets of regulations are directly relevant to dog grooming:

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) — requires you to assess the risks from every hazardous substance you use, including grooming shampoos, flea treatments, disinfectants, and ear cleaning solutions. For a detailed walkthrough, see our COSHH assessment guide.
• Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 — requires you to ensure that all electrical equipment is maintained in a safe condition. This covers clippers, dryers, hydrobaths, and UV sterilisers.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces health and safety law in Great Britain, with local authorities covering certain premises.

Penalties: Fines of up to GBP 20,000 per offence in a magistrates’ court. Unlimited fines in the Crown Court, plus up to two years’ imprisonment for the most serious cases.

Ireland

In Ireland, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (SHWW Act) requires every employer to carry out a risk assessment and prepare a written safety statement — regardless of business size. There is no exemption for sole traders or micro-businesses. If you employ even one person, you need a written safety statement based on your risk assessment.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the enforcement body.

Penalties: Fines of up to EUR 3,000,000 and/or up to two years’ imprisonment on conviction on indictment.

The Bottom Line

Whether you are a sole trader grooming dogs from a garden salon in Devon or running a mobile grooming van in County Cork, you have a legal obligation to assess the risks in your work and put reasonable controls in place. The penalties for failing to do so are severe enough to close a small business.

The HSE 5-Step Process Applied to Dog Grooming

The HSE’s 5-step risk assessment framework is the standard that inspectors in the UK recognise. It is practical, straightforward, and works well for dog grooming businesses. Here is how each step applies to your work.

Step 1: Identify the Hazards

Walk through your entire grooming process — from the moment a dog arrives to the moment it leaves — and list everything that could cause harm. This includes the physical environment (wet floors, electrical equipment, table height), the animals themselves (bites, scratches, zoonotic diseases), the substances you use (shampoos, flea treatments, disinfectants), and the way you work (lone working, repetitive motions, noise).

Do not rely on memory. Walk through your salon or van with a notebook. Watch yourself and your staff working. Check the safety data sheets for every product on your shelves.

Step 2: Decide Who Might Be Harmed and How

For each hazard, identify who is at risk. This is usually you (the groomer), your employees, the dog owners (if they are present during grooming), visitors to your premises, and in some cases the dogs themselves. Consider whether anyone is especially vulnerable — a pregnant employee, a new starter who has not been trained yet, or a groomer with a pre-existing skin condition.

Step 3: Evaluate the Risks and Decide on Controls

For each hazard, assess the likelihood of harm occurring and the severity of that harm. Then decide what controls are already in place and whether they are sufficient, or whether you need to do more. Follow the hierarchy of controls: eliminate the hazard if possible, substitute with something less hazardous, use engineering controls, then administrative controls, and finally personal protective equipment (PPE) as a last resort.

Step 4: Record Your Findings

Write down the hazards you have identified, who is at risk, what controls are in place, and any further action needed. This is your risk assessment document. It does not need to be perfect, but it needs to be specific to your business, practical, and up to date.

Step 5: Review and Update Regularly

Your risk assessment is a living document. Review it whenever something significant changes — new equipment, new premises, a new type of service, or after an incident. At minimum, review it annually.

Specific Hazards to Assess

This is the core of your dog grooming risk assessment. Each of the following hazards needs its own entry, with specific controls documented.

Animal Handling

Animal handling is the single biggest category of risk in dog grooming, and it is the one that generic risk assessments miss entirely.

Bites and Scratches

Dog bites are the most common injury in grooming. The risk level varies significantly depending on the dog:

• Low risk: Small dogs under 10 kg with a known calm temperament and a history of being groomed without incident.
• Medium risk: Medium dogs (10-25 kg) being groomed for the first time, dogs with unknown history, or any dog showing signs of anxiety (lip licking, whale eye, stiff body posture).
• High risk: Large dogs (25-45 kg) or giant breeds (over 45 kg) with a history of aggression, fear-based reactivity, or previous bite incidents. Dogs in pain (e.g. matted coat, ear infections, skin conditions) also fall into this category regardless of size.

Control measures:

• Use a pre-grooming assessment form (see below) for every new client.
• Have muzzles in a range of sizes readily available and train staff in their correct use.
• Use two-person handling for high-risk dogs. Never allow a lone groomer to work on a dog assessed as high risk.
• Train all staff in reading canine body language — this is the single most effective prevention measure.
• Keep a first aid kit stocked with wound cleaning supplies, sterile dressings, and bite-specific guidance.
• Record all bite and scratch incidents, even minor ones.

Lifting Injuries

You lift dogs on and off tables, in and out of baths, and in and out of vehicles (for mobile groomers) multiple times a day. The weight categories matter:

• Small dogs (under 10 kg): Low risk for a single lift, but repetitive lifting throughout the day creates cumulative strain.
• Medium dogs (10-25 kg): Moderate risk. Correct lifting technique is essential.
• Large dogs (25-45 kg): High risk. Use ramps, steps, or hydraulic tables wherever possible.
• Giant breeds (over 45 kg): Very high risk. Two-person lifts or mechanical aids should be mandatory. Consider whether you can safely groom very large breeds given your equipment.

Control measures:

• Use hydraulic or electric grooming tables to reduce lifting.
• Provide ramps or steps for baths and vehicles.
• Train all staff in manual handling technique specific to lifting animals (animals shift their weight, which changes the load mid-lift).
• Set a weight limit policy — some groomers choose not to accept dogs over a certain weight if they work alone.

Crushing and Impact Injuries

Large or panicked dogs can knock you over, crush you against equipment, or pull you off balance. A 40 kg dog lunging off a grooming table can pull the table over. A panicked dog in a hydrobath can thrash hard enough to cause significant bruising.

Control measures:

• Use grooming restraints (grooming arms and loops) correctly — never leave a dog unattended on a table.
• Ensure tables are stable and rated for the weight of the dogs you groom.
• Use non-slip matting on tables and in baths.
• Position yourself so that you have an exit route if a dog panics.

Pre-Grooming Assessment Forms

Every new client should fill in a pre-grooming assessment form before their dog’s first appointment. This should capture:

• Breed, age, weight, and general health.
• Any medical conditions (arthritis, skin conditions, ear infections, seizures).
• Vaccination status.
• Previous grooming history — has the dog been groomed before? Any issues?
• Known behavioural triggers (clipper anxiety, noise sensitivity, handling of specific areas such as paws or ears).
• Any history of biting, snapping, or aggression.

This information feeds directly into your risk assessment. A dog flagged as reactive to clippers, for example, requires different controls than a calm, experienced dog.

Zoonotic Diseases

Zoonotic diseases — infections that pass from animals to humans — are a genuine occupational hazard for dog groomers. Your risk assessment must identify the specific diseases you could be exposed to and the controls you have in place.

Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)

Ringworm is a fungal infection, not a worm. It is highly contagious and passes readily from dogs to humans through direct skin contact. Infected dogs may show circular patches of hair loss, but some carry the fungus without visible symptoms.

Control measures:

• Wear gloves when handling any dog with skin lesions or patchy hair loss.
• Clean and disinfect all equipment (clippers, blades, brushes, tables) between every dog using a fungicidal disinfectant.
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling each dog.
• If you suspect ringworm, advise the owner to see a vet and consider whether to proceed with the groom.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through contact with infected urine. Dogs that are not fully vaccinated or that have been in contact with standing water or wildlife are at higher risk.

Control measures:

• Wear waterproof gloves when handling urine or cleaning up after dogs.
• Clean and disinfect any surface contaminated with urine immediately.
• Cover any open cuts or wounds on your hands before grooming.

Campylobacter

Campylobacter is a bacterial infection transmitted through faecal contact. Dogs can carry it without showing symptoms.

Control measures:

• Clean up faecal contamination immediately using disposable materials.
• Wear gloves during clean-up.
• Wash hands thoroughly before eating, drinking, or touching your face.

MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)

Dogs can carry MRSA, and it can pass to humans through skin contact, particularly through broken skin.

Control measures:

• Maintain good hand hygiene — wash hands between every dog.
• Cover any cuts, grazes, or broken skin with waterproof dressings before grooming.
• Clean and disinfect equipment between dogs.

External Parasites (Fleas, Ticks, Mites)

Dogs frequently come in carrying fleas, ticks, or mites. Handling flea and tick treatment products (which contain active ingredients like permethrin and fipronil) also carries a chemical exposure risk.

Control measures:

• Inspect dogs on arrival for visible parasites.
• Wear gloves when handling dogs with heavy flea or tick burdens.
• Treat your salon regularly with appropriate environmental flea treatments.
• Follow COSHH guidance when handling flea/tick treatment products.

Chemical Hazards

Dog grooming involves daily exposure to a range of chemicals. Each product needs a COSHH assessment — see our COSHH assessment guide for the full process. Here are the key chemical categories:

Shampoos and Conditioners

Some grooming shampoos contain methylisothiazolinone (MI), a preservative and potent skin sensitiser. MI can cause allergic contact dermatitis, and once sensitised, even very low concentrations can trigger a reaction.

Control measures:

• Check safety data sheets (SDS) for every product. Identify any containing MI or related isothiazolinones.
• Consider switching to MI-free alternatives where available.
• Wear nitrile gloves when bathing dogs. Latex gloves do not provide adequate protection against all grooming chemicals.
• Use barrier cream on exposed skin.
• Ensure good ventilation in your bathing area.

Flea and Tick Treatments

Products containing permethrin and fipronil are neurotoxic in concentrated form. Groomers may be exposed through skin contact when handling recently treated dogs or when applying treatments.

Control measures:

• Wear gloves when handling recently treated dogs.
• Wash hands immediately after contact.
• Store all treatments in their original containers with labels intact.

Ear Cleaning Solutions

Many ear cleaning products contain salicylic acid or boric acid, which can irritate skin and eyes on contact.

Control measures:

• Wear gloves and avoid splashing.
• If a product splashes into your eyes, follow the first aid instructions on the SDS immediately (usually irrigation with clean water for at least 15 minutes).

Disinfectants

Salon disinfectants commonly contain quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) or chlorhexidine. QACs can cause skin irritation and occupational asthma with prolonged exposure. Chlorhexidine can cause allergic reactions in sensitised individuals.

Control measures:

• Dilute disinfectants to the correct concentration — stronger is not better and increases risk.
• Wear gloves during cleaning.
• Ensure good ventilation when using spray disinfectants.
• Never mix disinfectant products.

Coat Sprays and Finishing Products

Coat sprays, detangling sprays, and finishing products are often applied as aerosols or fine mists, which means you inhale them.

Control measures:

• Use pump sprays instead of aerosols where possible.
• Apply in well-ventilated areas.
• Avoid spraying near your face or the dog’s face.

Our Dog Grooming Kit includes a pre-filled risk assessment covering all these hazards — ready to download and use today.

Electrical Equipment

You use electrical equipment near water every single day. That combination demands specific controls.

Clippers

Clipper blades heat up during extended use and can cause clipper rash or burns on the dog’s skin — but they can also burn the groomer’s hands. Cable damage is common in a grooming environment where leads trail across wet floors and get caught under table legs.

Control measures:

• Check clipper cables and plugs before every use.
• Switch blades regularly during extended clipping sessions and test blade temperature against the inside of your wrist.
• Use cordless clippers where possible to eliminate cable hazards.
• Store clippers properly after use — do not leave them hanging by their cables.

High-Velocity Dryers

High-velocity dryers are essential grooming equipment, but they present multiple hazards: noise (often exceeding 100 dB), heat (some models can burn skin at close range), and electrical safety (powerful motors drawing significant current).

Control measures:

• Use dryers with adjustable speed and heat settings.
• Maintain a safe distance from the dog’s skin and your own.
• Inspect dryer hoses, cables, and filters regularly.
• Use hearing protection (see Noise section below).

Hydrobaths

Hydrobaths combine water and electricity — the highest-risk combination in your salon. A fault in a hydrobath can be fatal.

Control measures:

• All hydrobaths must be protected by a residual current device (RCD) rated at 30 mA or less.
• Test RCDs monthly by pressing the test button, and have them professionally tested annually.
• Inspect hydrobaths for cracks, leaks, and cable damage before every use.
• Never use a hydrobath with wet hands on the electrical controls.
• Ensure the hydrobath is properly earthed.

UV Sterilisers

UV sterilisers used for blade and tool sterilisation must be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Direct exposure to UV light can damage eyes and skin.

Control measures:

• Never look directly at the UV light source.
• Ensure the unit is fully enclosed during operation.
• Replace UV bulbs according to the manufacturer’s schedule.

PAT Testing

All portable electrical equipment in your salon should be subject to Portable Appliance Testing (PAT). While PAT testing is not a specific legal requirement in itself, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require you to maintain electrical equipment in a safe condition, and PAT testing is the recognised way to demonstrate compliance.

Recommended frequency: Annually for salon equipment. More frequently (every 6 months) for equipment used in wet environments or mobile grooming setups. Keep records of all PAT test results.

Noise

Noise is a seriously underestimated hazard in dog grooming.

• High-velocity dryers typically produce 100-110 dB at the nozzle. That is louder than a chainsaw.
• Dog barking ranges from 85-110 dB depending on breed and proximity. In a multi-dog salon, barking is near-constant.
• The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 set action levels at 80 dB (lower) and 85 dB (upper) daily exposure. Most grooming salons exceed both.

Control measures:

• Provide hearing protection (ear plugs or ear defenders) and ensure staff use them during drying and in high-barking environments.
• Use variable-speed dryers and operate them on the lowest effective setting.
• Consider acoustic panels or sound-dampening materials in your salon.
• Rotate tasks so that no single person is exposed to the highest noise levels all day.

Wet Floors

Water is everywhere in a grooming salon — from the bath, from the dryer, from the dog shaking itself off. Add shampoo residue and you have a genuine slip hazard.

Control measures:

• Use non-slip flooring throughout your salon. Textured vinyl or rubber matting designed for wet areas works well.
• Mop up standing water immediately — do not leave it until the end of the day.
• Wear non-slip footwear with enclosed toes (no sandals, no trainers with smooth soles).
• Place warning signs when floors are wet, especially if clients walk through your salon.

Sharps

Groomers work with scissors, thinning shears, clipper blades, dematting tools, and nail clippers — all of which can cause cuts or puncture wounds.

Control measures:

• Keep all blades and scissors sharp. Dull blades require more force and are more likely to slip.
• Use blade guards when tools are not in use.
• Never place scissors or blades in pockets.
• Store sharps in a designated area, not loose on work surfaces.
• Train staff in safe handling techniques for each tool.

Burns

Burns in dog grooming come from two main sources:

• Hot clipper blades — blades heat up through friction during use and can burn both the dog and the groomer.
• Dryer heat — high-velocity dryers on high heat settings can burn skin at close range.

Control measures:

• Test blade temperature against your wrist regularly during clipping.
• Use coolant spray on blades during extended sessions.
• Never point a dryer at bare skin at close range.
• Ensure dryer heat settings are appropriate for the coat type and dry distance.

Lone Working

If you are a mobile groomer or a sole operator in a home-based salon, lone working is one of your most significant risks. You work alone with unpredictable animals, often in locations where no one can hear you if something goes wrong.

Control measures:

• Implement a check-in system — text or call a designated contact at the start and end of each appointment.
• Share your daily schedule with someone who can raise the alarm if you do not check in.
• Carry a charged mobile phone at all times with emergency contacts pre-programmed.
• For mobile groomers: let someone know the address of every appointment.
• Consider a personal safety app or device that sends an alert if you do not respond within a set time.
• Set clear policies on which dogs you will groom alone and which require an additional person present.

For more on lone working procedures and how to set up a safe system, see our guide on lone working policies — the principles apply equally to mobile groomers and sole operators.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Groomers spend hours standing, bending, reaching, and performing repetitive hand and wrist movements. Musculoskeletal problems — particularly in the back, shoulders, wrists, and hands — are extremely common in the profession.

Control measures:

• Use height-adjustable grooming tables so you can work at the correct height for each dog and each task.
• Use anti-fatigue mats where you stand for extended periods.
• Take regular breaks — at least 5 minutes every hour.
• Vary your tasks throughout the day rather than doing the same motion for hours.
• Stretch your hands, wrists, and shoulders between appointments.
• If you develop persistent pain, seek advice early — do not work through it.

Treatment-Specific Risk Assessment

Beyond general hazards, it is good practice to assess the specific risks associated with each type of grooming service you offer. Here are the key treatments and their specific considerations:

Bath

• Slip hazard from water and shampoo on the floor and in the bath area.
• Chemical exposure from shampoos, conditioners, and medicated washes.
• Electrical hazard from hydrobath or handheld shower units near water.
• Lifting the dog in and out of the bath (especially medium, large, and giant breeds).
• Dog panic — some dogs react badly to water, creating bite and scratch risks.

Full Clip or Trim

• Clipper blade burns from overheated blades.
• Scissor cuts to both groomer and dog.
• Noise from clippers and dryers.
• Restraint-related stress on the dog, increasing bite risk.
• Repetitive strain from extended clipping and scissoring.

Hand-Stripping

• Repetitive strain — hand-stripping is one of the most physically demanding grooming techniques, putting significant strain on the fingers, thumb, and wrist.
• Skin irritation on the groomer’s fingers from repeated pulling.
• Dog discomfort — dogs that find hand-stripping uncomfortable are more likely to snap or bite.

Nail Trimming

• Cutting the quick — while this is primarily a risk to the dog, the dog’s reaction (sudden jerk, yelp, snap) creates a bite risk for the groomer.
• Sharps handling — nail clippers and Dremel tools both carry injury risk.
• Dog restraint — many dogs dislike having their paws handled, making this a high-risk task for bites.

Ear Cleaning

• Chemical splash risk from ear cleaning solutions containing salicylic acid or boric acid.
• Dog head shaking — dogs shake their heads during and after ear cleaning, flinging solution into the groomer’s eyes and face.
• Bite risk — ears can be sensitive, especially if the dog has an infection.

What Inspectors and Insurers Look For

Understanding what inspectors and insurers expect helps you write a risk assessment that actually serves its purpose.

HSE and HSA Inspectors

Inspectors are not looking for a perfect document. They are looking for evidence that you have:

• Identified the hazards specific to your work — not just generic office hazards, but animal handling, zoonotic diseases, chemical exposure, and electrical safety.
• Assessed who is at risk — including employees, clients, visitors, and yourself if you are a sole trader.
• Put sensible controls in place — and that those controls are proportionate to the risk.
• Recorded your findings — in a way that shows the assessment is specific to your business.
• Reviewed and updated the assessment regularly and after incidents.

An inspector will immediately see through a generic template that has not been tailored to dog grooming. They will ask you to walk them through your risk assessment and explain how it relates to what actually happens in your salon. If you cannot do that, you have a problem.

Insurers

Your public liability and professional indemnity insurer will almost certainly ask to see your risk assessment, either at the point of application or when you make a claim. If you make a claim and your risk assessment does not cover the hazard that caused the incident, your insurer may argue that you failed to manage the risk — and refuse to pay out.

For example, if a groomer develops occupational dermatitis from a shampoo containing MI and your risk assessment does not include a COSHH assessment for that product, your employer’s liability insurer will have grounds to dispute the claim.

Make sure your risk assessment covers every hazard in your actual working practices, and keep it updated. It is your evidence that you took reasonable steps.

For a full compliance checklist that covers risk assessments alongside all your other documentation, see our health and safety compliance checklist.

Common Mistakes

These are the mistakes we see most often in dog grooming risk assessments:

• Using a generic template without tailoring it. A risk assessment that mentions “VDU use” and “office ergonomics” but says nothing about animal handling is worse than useless — it shows you did not actually assess your real risks.
• Ignoring zoonotic diseases. Many groomers do not realise that ringworm, leptospirosis, and campylobacter are occupational risks that belong in a risk assessment.
• No COSHH assessments for grooming products. Every shampoo, conditioner, flea treatment, disinfectant, and ear cleaner needs a COSHH assessment. “It is just shampoo” is not an acceptable position.
• Not assessing noise. High-velocity dryers regularly exceed safe exposure levels. If you have not assessed noise, you have a gap.
• Forgetting lone working. If anyone in your business works alone — mobile groomers, sole operators, someone opening up or locking up alone — that needs to be assessed.
• Not recording near misses. A dog that snaps but does not make contact is a near miss. A blade that overheats but does not burn anyone is a near miss. Recording these helps you identify patterns and prevent actual injuries.
• Treating it as a one-off exercise. A risk assessment that was written three years ago and has not been looked at since is not compliant. It is a dead document.
• No pre-grooming assessment process. Accepting dogs without knowing their temperament, medical history, or previous grooming behaviour means you are taking on unknown risks without controls in place.

How Often to Review Your Risk Assessment

Your dog grooming risk assessment should be reviewed:

• At least once a year as a matter of routine.
• After any incident or near miss — bites, scratches, chemical reactions, slips, electrical faults.
• When you introduce new equipment — a new hydrobath, a new type of dryer, new clippers.
• When you start offering a new service — adding hand-stripping or cat grooming, for example, introduces new hazards.
• When you change premises or go mobile — different premises bring different risks. Moving from a salon to a mobile van changes almost every risk in your assessment.
• When legislation changes — new regulations or updated guidance from the HSE or HSA may require you to reassess specific hazards.
• When you take on new staff — new employees may be at different risk levels (less experienced, pregnant, have a pre-existing condition).

Date every version and keep previous versions on file. Inspectors may ask to see your review history.

Summary

A dog grooming risk assessment is not a box-ticking exercise. It is a practical document that should reflect the real hazards in your specific business — and there are more of those hazards than most groomers realise.

At minimum, your risk assessment needs to cover:

• Animal handling — bites, scratches, lifting, crushing injuries, and pre-grooming assessment.
• Zoonotic diseases — ringworm, leptospirosis, campylobacter, MRSA, and external parasites.
• Chemical hazards — shampoos (especially those containing MI), flea treatments, disinfectants, ear cleaners, and coat sprays, each with a COSHH assessment.
• Electrical equipment — clippers, dryers, hydrobaths, UV sterilisers, and PAT testing records.
• Noise — dryers and barking, with hearing protection provided.
• Wet floors — non-slip surfaces, immediate clean-up, appropriate footwear.
• Sharps — scissors, blades, dematting tools, nail clippers.
• Burns — hot clipper blades and dryer heat.
• Lone working — check-in systems, communication, policies on high-risk dogs.
• Musculoskeletal — table height, anti-fatigue mats, breaks, task rotation.

Get it right and you have a document that protects your staff, satisfies inspectors, keeps your insurer happy, and — most importantly — prevents people from getting hurt.

Get it wrong and you are exposed: legally, financially, and personally.

Want to see how our risk assessments look? View the Dog Grooming Kit or download a free sample.