In addition to the requirements of Section 820.14, any person operating an approved business offering tattoo services shall comply with the following provisions pertaining to tattoo operations.
(a) Immediately prior to beginning any tattooing procedure, each operator shall wash their hands in hot water with liquid or granulated soap, or equivalent. The individual's fingernails shall be kept clean and short.
(b) The individual performing the procedure shall wear a clean new pair of disposable surgical gloves, made of latex or similar material, for each new patron. If the gloves develop a break or tear, or if the individual performing the procedure touches another surface during the course of the procedure, the gloves shall be immediately replaced.
(c) All individuals performing a tattoo procedure who utilize lap cloths shall use a different lap cloth for each patron. Lap cloths shall be disposed or laundered after each use.
(d) The individual performing tattooing shall perform the procedure only on a normal, healthy skin surface. No operator shall remove or attempt to remove tattoo marks.
(e) When shaving the site of the tattoo is necessary, the individual performing the procedure shall use:
(1) Separate disposable razors with single service blades for each patron and discard the razor after such use, or
(2) A straight edge razor which shall be properly disinfected or sanitized after use on each patron.
(f) The individual performing the procedure, before shaving the area of the patron's body to be tattooed, shall thoroughly clean the area with antibacterial soap or its equivalent. After shaving the area to be tattooed, the individual performing the procedure shall apply seventy percent (70%) isopropyl alcohol on the skin with a clean, disposable gauze square, cotton ball or square, or other clean, disposable material.
(g) Only sterile petroleum jelly in collapsible metal or plastic tubes or its equivalent shall be used on the area to be tattooed, and shall be applied by use of a single use gauze square, individual cotton ball or square, or single use wooden tongue depressors. Under no circumstances are fingers to be used for this purpose.
(h) No individual performing tattoo services shall use styptic pencils, alum blocks, or other solid styptics to check the flow of blood.
(i) Individuals performing tattoo services shall use only dyes or inks manufactured by an established manufacturer and used as recommended by the manufacturer. Powdered dyes shall be liquified as recommended by the manufacturer. Unless approved by the manufacturer, dye colors shall not be adulterated by the individual performing the service. Single service or individual containers of dye or ink shall be used for each patron and the individual performing the service shall discard the container and remaining dye or ink. If non-disposable containers are used, the operator shall sterilize them before reuse. The individual performing the procedure shall remove excess dye or ink from the skin with single-use gauze squares, or other clean, absorbent, disposable material.
(j) The individual performing the procedure shall wash the completed tattoo with a single use gauze square or individual cotton ball or square saturated with an antibacterial solution. The tattooed area shall be allowed to dry, after which the individual performing the procedure shall apply to the site antibiotic ointment from a collapsible or plastic tube, or its equivalent. The ointment shall be applied by use of a single use gauze square, individual cotton ball or square, or single use wooden tongue depressor. In the case of an antibiotic-sensitive patron, the use of an antibacterial soap on the tattoo site shall be sufficient to meet the purpose of this paragraph. The individual performing the procedure shall apply to the site a non-adherent, sterile dressing, or a dressing, and secure it with non-allergenic tape. Use of paper napkins and tape for dressing shall not be acceptable.
(k) The operator shall provide each patron with oral and written care instructions following the tattooing procedure.
(l) All obvious injuries or infections directly resulting from the practice of tattooing which are known or become known to the operator shall be reported to the City’s Fire Department and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health by the operator who will immediately advise the patron to seek the services of a physician.
(m) The operator shall comply with applicable standards described in Chapter 3745- 27 of the Ohio Administrative Code while disposing of waste items including, but not limited to needles, razors and other supplies capable of causing lacerations or puncture wounds, generated through the provision of tattooing services.
(n) Operators of an approved business performing tattoo services shall ensure that these services shall not be performed outside the business premises.
(Ord. 2002-53. Passed 5-6-02.)