I don't work in this industry but as a female I am interested in your post. Obviously you are aware of the issues of allowing people to plug in straighteners and also of the issues of providing straighteners that would be shared etc and could pose hygenie issues etc - including maintenance etc. Why do you not issue a policy to say that whilst you cannot hair styling products to be plugged in etc you permit the use of portable items that do not require electricity I.E Products that use gas cyclinders & that you take no responsiblity for any damage caused by them or to them etc. Your insurer will no doubt dictate what stance you take so best to speak to them in the first instance.

I've seen bans on them and I've seen them allowed. I'm not in favour of ones hard wired in. I wouldn't use them!! Can't see the issue with people bringing in their own. As long as you have maintained the installation and there are circuit breakers in that, IMO they're not high risk. Not doubt I will be criticised for such a statement but then I am a realist about such things. I was very cross when a hospital wouldn't allow me to bring in my hair dryer years ago. But now my local hospital doesn't seem to mind hair dryers, chargers etc. A more pragmatic approach and one that creates a sense of goodwill rather than reinforcing stereotypes about health and safety preventing rather than facilitating..

Thanks all for the responses. I don't have any evidence but suggest that there could be a risk when straighteners are used in a semi-wet environment like a changing room. I sought advise from our insurer whose only stipulation was that the straighteners should be PAT tested. This raises additional questions eg: 1. Who should do the PAT test? 2. What should the PAT test comprise (straighteners are Double Insulated - Class II)? 3. How often? - (each visit, monthly, annually) what about interim damage? I'm inclined to think that hard-wired straighteners would be easier to control and maintain but clearly, they won't suit all users.