(a) Prior to Tattooing.
(1) The operator shall inquire of a patron on a written questionnaire for the following conditions:
A. History of jaundice or hepatitis;
B. History of lymphadenopathy or lymphadenitis (swelling of the lymph nodes);
C. History of AIDS, positive HIV test;
D. History of blood donation exclusion (for other than hypertension and immediate illness);
E. History of skin disease or skin cancer;
F. History of allergies that have caused an anaphylactic reaction.
Persons indicating a history of any of the above shall not be tattooed.
(2) Any individual who is inebriated or obviously under the effects of alcohol and/or drugs shall not be tattooed.
(3) The operator shall verify the age of the patron, confirmed by driver’s license or state identification card. No person under nineteen years of age shall be tattooed without the prior express verified written consent of such person’s parents and/or guardians.
(b) Operator or Tattoo Artist.
(1) Clothing: All operators while tattooing, shall wear light-colored, clean, washable covering garments.
(2) Handwashing: Immediately prior to beginning any tattooing operation, each operator shall wash his/her hands in running water for at least three minutes with liquid or granulated soap, or equivalent, as approved by the Health Commissioner. An individual handwashing brush shall be used by each operator. After washing hands, as herein required, the operator(s) shall rinse their hands in seventy percent (70%) alcohol (rubbing alcohol) or in an antiseptic solution approved by the Health Commissioner. The operators’ fingernails shall be kept clean and short with no rings.
(3) The operator shall wear and then discard a separate set of disposable examination gloves for each client. Should the gloves develop a break or tear, they shall be immediately replaced.
(4) Lap cloth: All operators who utilize lap cloths shall launder the lap cloth at least daily.
(5) There shall be no smoking by patrons, guests or the operator during the tattooing operation.
(c) The Tattooing Operation.
(1) Tattooing surface: Tattooing shall be done on normal healthy skin surface. No tattooing shall be done on scar tissue. No tattooing operator shall remove tattoo marks.
(2) Razors/needles: Separate disposable razors with single service blades, and separate disposable needles, shall be used for each patron and then discarded in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations.
(3) Shaving: Before shaving, the area to be tattooed shall be thoroughly cleansed with tincture of green soap (U.S.P.) or its equivalent, as approved by the Health Commissioner, and washed with alcohol. After shaving the area to be tattooed, seventy percent (70%) alcohol (rubbing alcohol) shall be applied to the skin.
(4) Skin lubricant: Only sterile petroleum jelly in collapsible metal or plastic tubes single use (unit dose), or its equivalent as approved by the Health Commissioner, shall be used on the area to be tattooed and shall be applied by use of sterile gauze, but not directly with the fingers.
(5) Treatment of blood flow: No operator shall use styptic pencils, alum blocks, or other solid styptic to check the flow of blood.
(6) Dyes or inks: All dyes or inks used in tattooing shall be manufactured by a reputable manufacturer and used without adulteration of the original formula. Single service or individual containers of dye or ink shall be used for each patron and the container and the remaining dye or ink discarded. The single use containers shall be disinfected prior to use. If non- disposable containers are used, they must be sterilized before reuse. Excess dye or ink shall be removed from the skin with an individually wrapped sterile gauze, individually wrapped sterile cotton squares, or clean disposable tissue. The completed tattoo shall be washed with pieces of sterile gauze or individual sterile cotton saturated with germicidal solution approved by the Health Commissioner or seventy percent (70%) alcohol. The tattooed area shall be allowed to dry and petroleum jelly from a collapsible or plastic tube single use (unit dose) or its equivalent, as approved by the Health Commissioner, shall be applied. An approved surgical dressing and tape shall be applied to the site.
(7) Infections: All infections resulting from the practice of tattooing which become known to the operator shall be reported to the Health Commissioner by the person owning or operating the tattoo operation, and the patient shall be referred to a private physician. Printed instructions, approved by the Board of Health, shall be given to each patron on the care of the skin after tattooing.
(8) Tattooing, including the changing or repairing of previous tattoos, shall not be performed on any fingertip, on the genitalia, scrotum, or in the anal area. Nor shall tattooing be undertaken over the site of an obviously recent hypodermic injection. No tattoo shall consist of any obscene word or gesture, nor shall it depict any obscene act or genitalia.
(9) Dressing and materials: The use of paper napkins and other material and tape for dressing is prohibited. Only recognized and approved surgical dressings and tapes shall be used on patrons.
(10) All used items must be autoclaved at fifteen pounds per square inch at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for twenty minutes, then discarded in accordance with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Rules for Disposal of Infectious Waste.
(11) No tattooing operation shall be performed after 8:00 p.m. or before 8:00 a.m.
(12) The operator shall provide the patron with an aftercare pamphlet covering the care of the tattoo site immediately following the tattoo operation on such patron. Such pamphlet is to be provided by the Board of Health to the operators.
(d) Care of Instruments.
(1) Preparation of instruments for sterilization: After each tattoo job, the tattoo machine shall be placed in an ultrasonic type machine to remove the excess dye from the tubes and needle bars. When this process is completed, the tubes and needle bars shall be removed from the tattoo machines. They shall then be placed into a covered container for sterilization by autoclaving. Use of an enzymatic cleaner in ultrasonic-hollow needles must be thoroughly flushed with cleaning solution.
(2) Sterilizing of instruments: Steam sterilizers, approved by the Health Commissioner, shall be provided for each tattoo operation. All needle bars, grips and tubes shall be sterilized before using on each customer by autoclaving under fifteen pounds per square inch pressure for twenty minutes. Temperatures in autoclaving shall not be less than 250 degrees Fahrenheit or 121 degrees Celsius. Time of sterilization cycle shall not begin until temperature and pressure have been met. Spore test autoclave weekly and after any autoclave repair or maintenance.
A. Bacillus stearothermophilus (steam sterilizers)
B. Bacillus subtilis var. niger (dry heat sterilizers).
(3) Solder used for the attachment of needles to the needle bars shall be lead- free.
(4) Storing of instruments: All tubes, grips and needle bars shall be left in the wrappers or sterilizer bags used during the autoclaving process. These wrapped articles shall be stored in a closed glass case or storage cabinet. This closed glass case or storage cabinet shall be maintained in a sanitary manner at all times. The wrappers shall not be removed from the tubes, grips or needle bars until the tattoo job is to begin.
(e) Tattoo Operation Environment.
(1) Minimum floor space: Tattoo operations shall have not less than 150 square feet of usable floor space. If more than one operator is engaged in the tattooing profession in the same operation, there shall be a minimum of 100 square feet of floor space for each operator. The building shall be enclosed on four sides and maintained free from dust, dirt or contamination.
(2) Illumination: The tattoo operation shall be provided with artificial light sources equivalent to at least twenty foot candles at a distance of thirty inches above the floor throughout the operation. A minimum of forty foot- candles of lights shall be provided at the level where the tattooing is being performed. Spotlighting may be utilized to achieve this required degree of illumination.
(3) Walls, ceilings and floors: The floors, walls and ceiling shall be of an impervious, smooth, washable surface and shall be maintained in a sanitary manner at all times.
(4) Toilet facilities: A toilet and lavatory shall be conveniently located and accessible to the operator.
(5) Handwashing sink: A lavatory or handwashing sink, with hot and cold running water, liquid or granular soap, and single-use towels shall be located in close proximity for each tattoo operator.
(6) Plumbing, waste lines: There shall be no overhead or otherwise exposed sewerage lines so as to create a potential hazard to the sanitary environment of the operation.
(7) Solid waste disposal: Sufficient receptacles shall be provided for the disposition of trash, etc. Each trash receptacle shall have a lid and be kept closed at all times. All infectious waste must be discarded in accordance with Ohio EPA Rules for disposal of infectious waste.
(8) Operating tables or chairs: All operating tables and chairs shall be constructed of easily cleanable materials and shall be located at least six feet from any observer or waiting customers and separated by a panel at least four feet high.
(9) Records: The operator shall keep records on all patrons receiving tattoos indicating the name, address and age of each individual tattooed, and the name of the tattoo artist completing the job. These records shall be recorded and kept on file for a minimum of one year.
(10) Posting of regulations: The owner, proprietor or manager of the tattoo operation shall keep a copy of regulations posting in a place conspicuous to the patrons in the tattoo operation. Such copy shall be provided by the Board of Health.
(Ord. 97-8. Passed 1-21-97.)