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Sunbed safety

There is an increasing perception that a tanned appearance is fashionable. However exposure to ultra violet (UV) radiation has been linked with short term and long-term health problems for users and possible ill effects to staff operating the equipment.

This page gives health and safety advice to operators and customers of UV tanning equipment, and tells you how to contact the council for more information or to report any concerns.

Advice for operators:

To comply with health and safety legislation it is important that the operator is aware of the risks to users and staff and reduce these risks as far as reasonably practicable.

The UV Tanning equipment code of practice 187kb is recommended, but not compulsory, guidance. It is designed to help meet the requirements of health and safety legislation.

Customer advice notices must be displayed warning customers of the risk of using the tanning equipment.

Before customers are allowed to use the equipment, their skin should be assessed and their medical history checked. Customers should be advised of the risks and you should keep a record kept of their details.

Advice for customers:

It is strongly advised that clients should not have more than 20 sunbed sessions per year, because of the associated health risks. Although salons should keep records of the number of sessions customers are taking, the customer is ultimately responsible for ensuring that this session number is not exceeded.

Customers should remove any cosmetics, deodorants and any other similar preparations that may increase skin sensitivity to UV radiation, prior to sunbed use.

Contacting the council:

If you provide UV-tanning facilities and would like further information, or if you have any concerns regarding practices in premises offering these facilities within the Salisbury district, please contact Environmental Services on 01722 434319/320 or email enhmail@salisbury.gov.uk