The use of any ultraviolet (UV) tanning equipment (eg sunlamps, sunbeds, tanning

booths) may expose staff and will expose customers to UV radiation. UV radiation

can cause injuries and ill health either in the short term (eg sunburnt skin or

conjunctivitis) or in the long term (eg premature skin ageing, skin cancer and

cataracts). Exposure to UV tanning equipment before 35 years of age significantly

increases the risk of several types of skin cancer. Younger people appear to be more

vulnerable to the cancer causing effects of indoor tanning1.

HSE considers the advice in this leaflet to reflect good practice for employers

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA)5 and the Management of

Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR)6, you, the UV tanning

equipment operator, must:

• assess the risks in your undertaking (ie, workplace), including those from

exposure to UV radiation;

• take measures to control, as far as is reasonably practicable, the risks

identified;

• tell your staff about the results of your risk assessment and make sure they

are competent to put them into action; and

• if you have five or more employees you must also write down the significant

findings of the assessment.

•

Carrying out the risk assessment is your responsibility though you can seek help and

advice, from within your organisation or outside sources (eg consultants).

The Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) Management of health and safety at work:

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 19996 contains further

information about legal responsibilities under the HSWA and MHSWR.

The purpose of your risk assessment is to help you make an appropriate decision

about the measures required of you to prevent or control UV radiation exposure

levels to the people working near or using your UV tanning equipment.

A risk assessment does not need to be long or complex, but you do need to work

through the following 5 steps:

• Identify the hazards.

• Decide who may be harmed and how.

• Evaluate the risks and decide on actions.

• Record your findings (if you employ 5 or more people) and implement them.

• Review your assessment and update it if necessary.

HSE’s leaflet 5 steps to risk assessment2 gives straight-forward advice. HSE also

publishes example risk assessments to show what is expected. Both can be found at

• short term:

o burns,

o skin dryness and itching,

o eye irritation or conjunctivitis (where suitable goggles are not worn),

o customers becoming trapped if the equipment fails mechanically,

• long term:

o skin cancer,

o cataracts (where suitable goggles are not worn),

o premature ageing of the skin, which will look coarse, leathery and

wrinkled.

• employees assisting customers;

• maintenance staff carrying out repairs or servicing;

• the customers who are using the equipment; and

• other members of the public (adults and children) on the premises.

You must inform your employees of the risks associated with using UV tanning

Following the advice in this section will help you to address the risks associated with

using UV tanning equipment. However, this is not an exhaustive list and as a result of

your risk assessment, you may have identified other controls that need to be in place.

• You should have received information from the manufacturer or supplier on

the correct operation of your UV tanning equipment and be following it. This

• It is suggested good practice to have trained staff who will be present while

customers are using your UV tanning equipment.

• You should provide ongoing health and safety training for your staff to ensure

they can correctly run the equipment, provide customers with information

• It is suggested good practice that you have effective procedures in place to

provide immediate assistance to customers using your UV tanning

• If you are operating more than one piece of equipment in the same room you

are recommended to use screening between the units.

• It is suggested good practice that you ensure the equipment is cleaned and

sanitised between customers.

• When you are replacing UV tubes ensure the right type are fitted and

reassess the exposure requirements of your customers when using the

• Ensure your staff are aware of the risks to themselves from working with the

UV tanning equipment and how to reduce or avoid these risks.

• It is suggested good practice to keep maintenance records for the equipment,

to demonstrate due diligence.

• It is suggested good practice to keep training records for your staff.

• It is suggested good practice that you provide adequate eye protection

(goggles) for customers, and for staff when maintaining equipment.

• When carrying out your risk assessment you are advised to have regard to

the World Health Organization (WHO) and EU Scientific Committee on

1 The association of use of sunbeds with cutaneous malignant melanoma and

other skin cancers: A systematic review. The International Agency for Research on

Cancer and Working Group on artificial ultraviolet (UV) light and skin cancer. Int. J.

Cancer, 120, 1116-1122 (2006)

2 Five steps to risk assessment Leaflet INDG163(rev1) HSE Books 1998

(single copy free or priced packs of 10 ISBN 0 7176 1565 0)

The Stationery Office publications are available from The Stationery Office,

PO Box 29, Norwich NR3 1GN Tel: 0870 600 5522 Fax: 0870 600 5533

email: customer.services@tso.co.uk Website: www.tso.co.uk (They are also

available from booksellers.)

This leaflet is available in priced books of 10 from HSE Books, ISBN …. Single

copies are free and a web version can be found at ….

© Crown copyright. This publication may be freely reproduced, except for advertising,

endorsement or commercial purposes. First published in … Please acknowledge

Any exposure to UV radiation from tanning equipment is potentially harmful. Please

consider the following information when deciding whether to use this equipment or

not.

Based on World Health Organization (WHO) and Department of Health advice, you

should not use cosmetic UV tanning equipment if,

• You are under 18.

• You have fair, sensitive skin that burns easily or tans slowly or poorly.

• You have a history or sunburn, particularly in childhood.

• You have a large number of freckles and/or red hair.

• You have a large number of moles.

• You are taking medicines or using creams that sensitise the skin to sunlight.

• You have a medical condition that is worsened by sunlight.

• You are pregnant.

• You or anyone in your family has had skin cancer in the past.

• You already have extensive skin damage due to sunlight.

Skin is broadly classed as being one of six types:

• Type I – Often burns, rarely tans. Tends to have freckles, red or fair hair, blue

or green eyes.

• Type II – Usually burns, sometimes tans. Tends to have light hair, blue or

brown eyes.

• Type III – Sometimes burns, usually tans. Tends to have brown hair and

eyes.

• Type IV – Rarely burns, often tans. Tends to have dark brown eyes and hair.

• Type V – Naturally brown skin. Often has brown eyes and hair.

• Type VI – Naturally brown/black skin. Usually black/brown eyes.

Your UV tanning equipment operator should advise you on your skin type and guide

1. Skin cancer. In the UK, the incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing at

a faster rate than any other cancer except prostate. Using UV tanning

4. Protect your eyes. Never use UV tanning equipment without eye protection.

If suitable goggles are not worn you may suffer eye irritation or conjunctivitis

SunSmart, the UK’s national skin cancer prevention campaign at

The Sunbed Association (TSA) at http://www.sunbedassociation.org.uk/

This information for customers is issued jointly by the Health and Safety Executive

and the Department of Health

Published by the Health and Safety Executive INDG209(rev…)