| Business | LMW Recovery | Assessor | Laura Warren (Therapist / Owner) |
| Activity assessed | Sports & remedial massage treatment and use of the studio | Assessment type | Specific |
| Location | Private garden studio, Llantrisant, RCT | Assessment date | 16 October 2026 |
| Assessor's signature | L. Warren | Review date | 16 October 2027 (or sooner if required) |
| Relevant guidance | Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999; professional body & insurer requirements; manufacturer instructions for couch and electrical equipment; UK GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018. | ||
| Likelihood → | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| I 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| I 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| I 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| I 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
Likelihood: 1 Remote/Rare · 2 Unlikely · 3 Possible · 4 Probable · 5 Highly probable.
Impact: 1 Minor (first aid) · 2 Moderate · 3 Major · 4 Severe · 5 Critical.
Managing the result: 1–3 very low · 4–9 low · 10–14 medium · 15–19 medium–high · 20–25 high. Risks are reduced to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) through the controls below.
| Ref | Hazard identified | Who might be harmed & how | Existing control measures | L | I | Score | Residual risk acceptable? / further action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slips, trips & falls — oil spills, wet floor, trailing cables, entrance step | Client & therapist — bruising, sprains, fractures from a fall | Floor kept clear and dry; spills wiped immediately; oils/towels stored tidily; cables routed away from walkways; non-slip flooring; studio and entrance well lit. | 2 | 3 | 6 | Yes — low/ALARP. Monitor; re-check lighting in winter months. |
| 2 | Access to/from studio — garden path, uneven ground, poor light, ice/leaves | Client — slip or trip approaching or leaving the studio | Path kept even, swept and clear; outdoor lighting for evening appointments; grit/salt applied in icy conditions; clients shown the route and advised on arrival. | 2 | 2 | 4 | Yes — low/ALARP. Dynamic check of path condition before each appointment in poor weather. |
| 3 | Massage couch failure or fall from couch | Client — fall, impact injury | Couch checked before each use and kept within rated weight limit; height set for safe mounting/dismounting; client assisted on and off; client never left unattended on the couch. | 2 | 3 | 6 | Yes — low/ALARP. Couch serviced per manufacturer guidance; log any defect and remove from use. |
| 4 | Electrical equipment — heater, lamp, towel warmer, chargers | Client & therapist — electric shock, burn, fire | Visual check of plugs/leads before use; PAT testing where applicable; sockets not overloaded; damaged items withdrawn; equipment switched off when not in use. | 1 | 3 | 3 | Yes — very low/ALARP. Annual PAT check. |
| 5 | Hot items — towel warmer, heat packs, wax | Client — burns/scalds, especially where sensation is reduced | Temperature checked before skin contact; barrier/towel used; not applied over broken skin or areas of reduced sensation; client asked to confirm comfort. | 1 | 2 | 2 | Yes — very low/ALARP. |
| 6 | Treating a contraindicated condition or undisclosed health issue | Client — worsening of an existing condition; adverse health event | Health screening completed before first treatment and reviewed each visit; contraindications checked; GP clearance sought where required; treatment adapted, localised or declined as appropriate; therapist works within scope of training. | 2 | 4 | 8 | Yes — low/ALARP. Keep screening and CPD current; refer on where appropriate. |
| 7 | Adverse reaction — soreness, bruising, dizziness, allergy to medium | Client — discomfort, allergic reaction, faintness | Allergy check before selecting oil/wax; pressure matched to feedback; client monitored throughout and can stop at any time; aftercare advice given; medical referral if needed. | 2 | 2 | 4 | Yes — low/ALARP. |
| 8 | Manual-handling / positioning injury during treatment | Client & therapist — musculoskeletal strain | Safe therapist posture and technique; couch at correct working height; client positioned and draped for comfort and support; regular breaks between clients. | 2 | 2 | 4 | Yes — low/ALARP. |
| 9 | Cross-infection — contact surfaces, linens, hands | Client & therapist — transmission of infection | Fresh couch roll/clean towels per client; couch and surfaces cleaned and disinfected between clients; hands washed/sanitised before and after; cuts covered; therapist does not treat when unwell. | 2 | 2 | 4 | Yes — low/ALARP. |
| 10 | Contagious illness (client or therapist) | Client & therapist — spread of infection | Clients asked not to attend if feverish or contagious and appointments rescheduled without penalty; therapist cancels if unwell. | 1 | 2 | 2 | Yes — very low/ALARP. |
| 11 | Fire | Client & therapist — burns, smoke inhalation | Clear, unobstructed exit; smoke alarm tested regularly; sockets not overloaded; heaters/candles never left unattended; client made aware of the exit on arrival. | 1 | 4 | 4 | Yes — low/ALARP. Test alarm monthly; keep extinguisher/blanket accessible. |
| 12 | Medical emergency / client becomes unwell | Client — delayed treatment of a serious event | Current first-aid certificate held; first-aid kit on site; emergency contact recorded on screening form; charged phone to hand to call 999; appropriate insurance in place. | 1 | 4 | 4 | Yes — low/ALARP. First-aid certificate kept in date. |
| 13 | Lone working — treating clients alone | Therapist — vulnerability if an incident occurs with no one present | Appointments logged; a trusted contact knows the daily schedule; phone charged and accessible; new clients screened; right to decline or end a session reserved. | 2 | 3 | 6 | Yes — low/ALARP. Keep check-in arrangement with trusted contact. |
This assessment is reviewed at least annually, and sooner following any accident or near miss, a change to the premises, equipment or working practices, or where there is reason to doubt that the controls remain effective.