(a) Instrument cleaning, sterilization, storage, handling and construction.
(1) Cleaning and preparation of instruments for sterilization. After each tattooing operation, the tubes and needle bars shall be placed in an ultrasonic-type machine to remove any foreign material. A high quality detergent material which shall be changed daily and is suitable for an ultrasonic machine is to be used. Ultrasonic cleaners must be operated with the lids on to prevent contamination of adjacent surfaces. When this process is completed, the tubes and needle bars are to be rinsed in accordance with the manufacturers’ directions and shall be placed in a self-sealing autoclavable bag which is dated with an expiration date not to exceed six months, and sealed in preparation for autoclaving.
(2) Autoclave. Each tattoo establishment is to be equipped with an autoclave which is a design, style or model that has received clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for conformance with § 510(k) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, being 21 U.S.C. §§ 301 et seq. Alternate sterilizing equipment may only be used when specifically approved in writing by the township. After each use and before use on another customer, all needle bars, grips, and other tubes and needles shall be processed by the following procedure: cleaned, packaged in a self-sealing autoclave bag which is dated with an expiration date not to exceed six months, and arranged in an autoclave which is operated in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. As the operation time of the autoclave may vary with the type of instrument, the packaging of that item and the arrangement of items in the autoclave, it is critical that the manufacturer’s operation manual be followed. This will assure that each item placed in the autoclave achieves the proper temperature for sterilization. Temperature sensitive autoclave tape, autoclave bags with a chemical color indicator on the bag or any other temperature sensitive medium approved for autoclaves by the township must be applied to each load every time the autoclave is used. To further confirm that the autoclave is operated in a manner to assure sterility of the processed instruments, it must be tested monthly using a biological indicator such as spore strips or spore suspensions which are processed by a laboratory. Records documenting such testing must be maintained by the operator for three years. A copy of the manufacturer’s recommended procedures for the operation of the autoclave is to be available for inspection by the township.
(3) Storage. Sterile instruments must be stored in a condition so as to maintain their sterility, All sterile and ready to use needles and instruments in their autoclaved bag or container, or in the manufacturer’s original packaging shall be kept in an easily cleanable, dry enclosed glass, plastic or metal case, cabinet or drawer while not in use. Such enclosure shall be maintained in a sanitary manner at all times. Sterile instruments may not be used if the package has been breached or after the expiration date without first repackaging and resterilizing.
(4) Handling. The needles and instruments shall be used, handled and temporarily placed during tattooing so that they are not contaminated.
(5) Construction. Solder used for the attachment of needles to the needle bars for use in a tattoo machine shall be lead free.
(6) Cleaning of other instruments and articles. Articles that do not penetrate the skin, but are used on customers, including containers used for storage of items and the collection of dirty instruments, must be thoroughly cleaned before and after each use. These are to be cleaned by rinsing in warm water, thoroughly washing with hot water and soap or detergent, rinsing in water at a temperature of 160°F, allowed to air dry and stored in a clean, enclosed container or manner to prevent recontamination. Instruments which can be damaged by water, such as the electrical handpiece, are to be thoroughly wiped with clean cotton wool or a cotton pad saturated with 70% isopropyl alcohol, allowed to air dry and stored in a clean, enclosed container or manner to prevent recontamination.
(b) Application and use of single use hectographic stencils.
(1) Stencils shall be single use disposable carbon or thermal spirit master units.
(2) Petroleum based jellies, soaps and other products used for the application of stencils shall be dispensed and applied on the area to prevent contamination of the original container and its contents. If used, the gauze shall be used only once and then discarded.
(c) Use of dyes, inks and pigments.
(1) All dyes, inks and pigments shall be from a source of supply which complies with applicable U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations when available. Dyes, inks and pigments are to be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions and are not to be adulterated with any substance not recommended by the manufacturer.
(2) Immediately before applying a tattoo, the quantity of dye, ink or pigment to be used for the tattoo shall be transferred from the supply bottles and placed into sterile, single use paper cups or plastic caps. Upon completion of the tattoo, these single use cups or caps and their contents shall be discarded.
(3) Excess dye, ink or pigment shall be removed from the skin with a single service wiping tissue or sterile gauze which shall be discarded after use on each customer. Enough wipes to be used on one customer should be kept in the working area and any not used should be immediately discarded.
(d) Inspection, shaving and preparation of the skin.
(1) No tattooing shall be done on skin surfaces which have any rash, pimples, boils, infections or any other evidence of any unhealthy condition. No tattoo operator shall remove any tattoo marks.
(2) If the skin is to be shaved, it must first be washed with soap and warm water. Safety razors with single service blades for each patron shall be used for the preparation of the areas to be tattooed. The blade shall be discarded after each use and the blade holder, if reused, shall be autoclaved after each use.
(3) After shaving, the area to be tattooed shall be prepared by washing with soap and warm water and gently scrubbed with a sterile gauze pad soaked in a germicidal preparation that is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.
(4) The use of styptic pencils, alum blocks or other solid styptic to check the flow of blood is prohibited.
(e) Concluding procedure. After completing work on any person, the tattooed area shall be washed with a sterile gauze saturated with an approved antiseptic solution or a 70% alcohol solution. The tattooed area shall be allowed to air dry and an antibacterial cream or lotion from a single-use dispenser is to be applied using sterile gauze. A dressing shall then be affixed over the tattooed area using either a non-stick bandage (telfa) or a sterile gauze attached with adhesive tape. Where adhesive tape is used, the client is to be advised as to the procedure for its removal.
(f) Linens. If reusable cloth items are used in the care and treatment of the client, they shall be changed after each use. The used linens shall be placed in a closed or covered container and laundered on a weekly basis or more frequently depending upon storage capacity and degree of contamination of the linen. Used linens shall be laundered either by a commercial laundering or by a noncommercial laundering process which includes immersion in laundry detergent and chlorine bleach water or immersion in water at 160°F for not less than 15 minutes during the washing and rinsing operation. The laundered linens shall be stored in a clean, enclosed storage area until needed for immediate use.
(Ord. 832, passed 3-15-2006)