Health and Safety in Body Piercing and Tattooing

Understanding the Risks

Individuals undergoing body piercing, tattooing, branding, or scarification are at risk from blood-borne pathogens. It is crucial for tattoo artists and body piercers to adhere to rigorous health and safety practices to protect both themselves and their clients from these pathogens.

Clean Techniques for Tattoo and Body Artists

Implementing clean techniques helps prevent or reduce the transmission of microorganisms. Key practices include:

• Protect Items from Contamination: Ensure that all items are protected from contamination and that sterile items remain sterile by maintaining the cleanliness of all supplies and storing them properly.
• Use Barriers: Always use clean, disposable, single-use gloves and practice proper hand hygiene before, during, and after procedures.
• Prepare the Skin: Thoroughly clean and prepare the skin area with an antibacterial solution according to the manufacturer's recommendations and ensure that any equipment used is sterile.
• Use Single-Use Materials: Apply materials from single-use articles or transfer from bulk containers to single-use containers. Dispose of single-use containers after each client.
• Dispose of Sharps Properly: Use disposable single-use needles and supplies whenever possible and adhere to safe injection practices. Place needles, scalpels, razors, or other sharps that have contacted skin or body fluids into puncture-resistant, closed containers (Sharps Containers) immediately after use.
• Maintain a Clean Environment: Use detergent to remove soil and disinfectant agents to clean spills of blood or other potentially infectious materials. Sterilisation machines, such as autoclaves, must be regularly tested and serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, with service records kept.
• Clean and Disinfect: Disinfect chairs and work surfaces between each client using appropriate wipes or cleaners. Ensure reusable tools and equipment are cleaned and sterilised correctly.
• Manage Sharps Disposal: Keep sharps disposal containers in a safe, easily accessible location. Clearly mark these containers, and replace them when full. Dispose of them according to local regulations.

Conclusion

By following these health and safety practices and maintaining a clean, sanitary environment, body piercers and tattoo artists can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting blood-borne pathogens and ensure the safety of both their clients and themselves.