2. SAFE PRACTICES SEMINAR
AS APPLICABLE TO THE BODY
ART INDUSTRY
Seminar presented by Shane Johnston
The following seminar information is intended as a guide,
Reference source and study aid for all people who care
about the promotion and practice of responsible body piercing.
It is imperative that each paricipant seek out and evaluate new
Health and safety techniques and products for his or herself
This material is copyright © 2003 Streetwise body piercing® & Tattoo Ltd.
All rights reserved. This material is for the use of seminar participants.
The material may not be reproduced further or used to coach, present seminars
Courses or workshops without the written permission of Streetwise piercing Ltd Directors

3. CONTENTS
1. Hepatitis The Dangers
2. Protocols for Equipment Processing
3. Cold Sterilisation
4. Ultrasonic Cleaner
5. Autoclave
6. Sterilisation Room
7. The Well Equipped Procedural Room
8. The Counter Area
9. Gloves
10. Implant Materials
11. Ethical Information
12. Temporary Operators
13. Bio hazardous Waste
14. Anaesthetics

4. Hepatitis
Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver
It is a global health problem of significant importance
Chronic infection with hepatitis C can lead to years of ill health,
reduced quality of life, cancer of the liver & liver failure.
There is no known cure or vaccine
Treatment for hepatitis is very expensive (interferon Ribavirin
combination) for treatment.
Majority of people in NZ infected with HCV contracted the virus
from needles or infected blood.
HCV can remain dormant in its host for up to 20 years then suddenly
activate.

5. Hepatitis
Can live on a hard surface (eg counter top) for up to 3 months.
HCV cannot be killed by disinfecting
HCV can survive in boiling water – needs 134c for 4 minutes to kill
HCV is a bloodborne pathogen
Mian transmission – sharing needles & Indirect contact
19% - 30% Of people with tattoos have tested positive for hep B
in NZ. (hep C focus group)
This risk icreases with every new tattoo & peirce.
41% Hep C cases from tattooing
Hepititas goes largely underreported due to the social
stigma connected with this.

6. Protocols for Equipment Processing
Isolation
Moving contaminated equipment out of general area,
Preferably into closed puncture-proof container (not to exceed 12
hours)
Decontamination
Removing gross debris from equipment, preferably by ultrasonic
cavitation (15min. min minimum)
Disinfection
Inactivating microbial life (except for endospores) preferably by
chemical high-level disinfectant either by soak or saturation *15min.
Minimum)
Bio-shielding
Wrapping, sealing, dating and initialling of equipment in material(s)
suited for the sterilisation process to be used, preferably clear-
view self seal packaging

7. Protocols for Equipment Processing (continued…)
Sterilization
Completely eliminating all microbial life (including endospores),
preferably by super-heated steam under pressure or a gamma ionizing
radiation sterilizer.
Documentation
Entering into record all items sterilized.
Storage
Placing all sterile packaged equipment/supplies within a closed container
specifically used for sterilized items only. (Not to be stored more than
one month)
Handling
Only touching with gloved hands, watching for tears in bio shielding,
keeping away from moisture and only placing on appropriate fields, to
avoid compromising sterility.

8. Cold Sterilisation
Gluteralydhydes 2%
Zenacide
Aidyl Plus
Carcinogenic
Require monitoring of the air
Perasafe also other similar brands.
No proof of sterility.
Compromised during packaging.
Used for cleaning endoscopy equipment.

9. Cold Sterilisation
Peiercing guns
Piercing gun operators need to have hand wash and dry facilities, clean
separate area to pierce.
Skin cleaning procedure and product
Skin marking procedure and product
Gun cleaning procedure and product
Nostril piercing equipment (disposable attachment)
Plastic Piercing guns melt when autoclaved
Autoclaving & soaking in alcohol will damage the spring mechnism

10. Ultrasonic Cleaner
When the ultrasonic cleaner is in use
Always wear
Examination gloves, Heavy rubber gloves
Protective gloves, Safety glasses & Face mask
Face shield, Disposable apron
Always run in conjunction with expel air fan
Always keep the lid on when in use
Never put hot water in ultrasonic cleaner
Bio-hazardous sink close to ultrasonic cleaner
2ft radius of contamination with lid on
4ft radius of contamination with lid off
Can drive pathogens through examination gloves

11. Autoclave
The autoclave must
Only be handled with clean gloves
Have distilled water only
Have records of autoclaved packges(how many,
descriptions of items, date processed, by whom)
Have spore test monthly
Have no contaminated water
The auto clave needs to be in its own steralisation room because the
Potential is there for it to do an incomplete cycle and upon venting
contaminate a whole room.
When packaging is used on an autoclave with no dry packging, the door
must be left ajar after the cycle has finished enabling package to dry.
(Do not leave sitting in autoclave still wet/damp)
A record of serial numbers taken from the autoclave printout would
be an advantage.

12. Autoclave
An autoclave indicator is unreliable. An integrator will not change
unless the proper sterilisation process has taken place. An indicator will
change if stuck on a 100 watt ligth bulb or left out in the sun.
Integrator will no change unless all conditions have been achieved
eg. Correct temperature
Correct steam quality
Correct time
Monthly spore tests/Sterilisation log

13. Sterilisation Room
The only safe means of cleaning and sterilisation
This must be a separate room
Lockable
Completely enclosed with
It’s own lighting
Air vent system, (expel air)
Sink to rinse contaminated tools
(must not be used for hand washing)

14. Sterilisation Room
THE ROOM SHOULD BE DIVIDED INTO TWO HALVES
CONTAMINATED SIDE CLEAN SIDE
This half is for Piercing equipment This half is for Sterilising
Tattoo Machines
Heavy rubber gloves (for ultrasonic) In this area should be
Safety glasses or visor mask Printer for autoclave
Face mask Distilled water
Disposable plastic apron Airtight containers
Sterilisation log
For packaging
Autoclave tubing,Autoclave envelopes
Scissors,Paper Towels There should be nothing
Autoclave tape From the contaminated side here.
Date stamp or pen
Sealer
Air vent
Ultrasonic cleaner
Sink

15. The well Equipped Procedural Room for Piercing
Rooms designated for piercing must be an enclosed room,
(Separate from pathogens in reception area)
Hand wash facilities – correct taps & sinks etc
Antibacterial soap
Every surface must be wipeable (no carpet or porous curtains etc)
Signs clearly stating CLEAN areas, BIOHAZARD areas
Tattoo/piercing table or chair, non porous, disinfected between
Clients or couchroll, gladwrap barriers.
Bright lighting without shadows
Lidded trash receptacles with foot pedal
Wipeable drawers for safe storage of equipment
Sharps container in designated spot
Implement trays to minimise cross contamination
Disposable barriers for hands eg tissue or paper towels
Disposable relish cups, jewellery, skin prep etc

16. The well Equipped Procedural Room for Piercing
Latex gloves, every size for every operater (1 weeks supply)
Hard surface disinfectants and disposable wipes
Marking pens, toothpicks, gentian violet, Indian ink
Supply of sterile packed, needles, forceps, tattoo equipment,
made up needlebars etc (1 week supply)

17. The Counter Area
This is an area constantly contaminated. Usually by clients touching
their piercing then touching the counter area, or by placing
Contaminated (previously worn) jewellery on the counter top.
To keep this area clean use :
Relish cups for pre worn jewelery
Antibacterial wipes to clean the counter
Offer client antibacterial wipes for their hands
Both staff & clients need to refrain from touching their peircing in
the store. This should only be done under controlled conditions
Eg. Piercing room with gloves

18. The Counter Area
Aseptic Hand wash Procedure
1. 10c coin amount of soap
2. Lather in palm of hands
3. Fingers between fingers/Palm to palm/back & forth
4. Fingers between fingers/palm to back of hand/back & forth
5. Fingertips inside fingertips back & front
6. Fingertips inside fingertips other hand inside
7. Rinse with water/allow water to run off fingertips.

19. GLOVES
Always wash hands prior to gloving
For the purpose of piercing and tattooing sterile gloves are more expensive
than non sterile and in this environment, quickly compromise.
Non sterile examination gloves with plenty of glove changes are a more
workable option. It must be remembered that non sterile gloves begin to
Become compromised after only 3 minutes.

20. Implant Materials
Safe Unsafe
316 LVM (stainless steel implant grade Nickel
316 L (marine) Nickel silver
Ti Sterling silver
N/B Pure silver
Teflon Gold plated
Tygon Other plated
Hard woods Copper
Glass – Pyrex
Acrylic – Lucite
Tusk – Ivory
Horn
Crystals – Stone Poorly fitted jewellery
Too Stretched
Too large jewellery

21. MSDS – MILL CERTIFICATE
MSDS
Material safety data sheet
Medical term for chemicals & metals to prove they are bio campatable.
Mill certificates are used by engineers on all surgical implant to show bio
compatability of materials and all raw materials eg. Teflon
For our purposes
These are basically one and the same

22. ETHICAL INFORMATION
Every operator should have a current St Johns Training First Aid
Workplace certificate or Red Cross equivilant.
Every operator should have a Hep A & B vaccination, or have antibodies.
First aid kit for emergencies
Bloodborne pathogen training
Hygiene training

23. Temporary Operators
Have a great potential to infect the masses in a very short time.
Can pack up and leave at short notice
Working under adverse conditions
Need large stocks of sterile packed jewellery, equipment & needles.
Often no hand washing facilities.
(Must be able to demonstrate an acceptable alternative)
Clientele hazardous, intoxicated or under the influence
Clients many underage – hard to check identification.

24. Bio-Hazardous Waste
All needles and needle groups must be disposed of in a biohazard
waste sharpies container
These are picked up and delivered by a Biohazardous waste company
(no exception)
Needles placed in a puncture proof drink bottle and disposed at the
tip is not good enough. Ask to see documentation to prove this.
In the context of the Body Art Industry paper towels, tissues, swabs
& dressings are considered contaminated but not necessarily bio-hazardous
waste.
The rule of thumb is when compressed does this waste release any
potentially infectious material.

25. ANAESTHETICS
INJECTED ANAESTHETICS
All injected anaesthetics can only be administered by a qualified doctor,
nurse, dentist or anaesthetists. For others this practice is illegal.
Possibility of anaphylactic shock ( strong allergic reaction)
Once in the bloodstream is irreversible.
Distorts the area to be pierced.

26. ANAESTHETICS
TOPICAL ANAESTHETICS
Topical cream, gels & sprays
Takes up to 3 hours to fully anaesthetise although 60-70% after 1
hour
This type of anaesthetic give no garuntee when the skin is
punctured (allergic reaction)
Swelling can occur, distorting piercing site.
Discolouration usually occurs (red or white)
Increased chnace of rejection
Freeze spray is non sterile, not for broken skin, can cause frostbite
if used incorrectly.