Section 797.900  Disinfection and Sterilization Procedures

a)         All non-disposable instruments used for body art shall be cleaned after each use by scrubbing with an appropriate soap or disinfectant solution and hot water, or by following the manufacturer's instructions, to remove blood and tissue residue, and shall then be placed in an ultrasonic unit operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

b)         After cleaning, all non-disposable instruments used for body art shall be packed individually in sterilization packaging and subsequently sterilized (see subsection (c)).  All sterilization packaging shall contain either a sterilization indicator or internal temperature indicator.  Sterilization packaging shall be dated with an expiration date not to exceed six months or in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.  If sterilization packaging is compromised or expired, the instrument shall be removed, repackaged and re-sterilized.

c)         All cleaned non-disposable instruments used for body art shall be sterilized in an autoclave that meets the criteria specified in subsection (i).  The autoclave shall be used, cleaned and maintained according to manufacturer's instruction.  The operator shall retain on-site a copy of the manufacturer's recommended procedures for the operation of the sterilization unit and a daily temperature log for each day's use.  If the body art establishment uses only single-use disposable instruments and products, and uses sterile single-use needles and tubes, an autoclave shall not be required.

d)         After sterilization, the instruments used for body art procedures shall be stored in a dry, clean cabinet or tightly covered container reserved for the storage of such instruments.

e)         All instruments shall remain stored in sterile packages until just prior to the performance of a body art procedure.  When assembling instruments used for body art procedures, the operator shall wear single-use disposable medical grade gloves and use aseptic techniques to ensure that the instruments and the gloves are not contaminated.

f)         All inks, pigments, needles and equipment shall be specifically manufactured for performing body art procedures and shall be used according to manufacturer's instructions.  Single-use needles, specifically manufactured for body art, may be purchased and used to construct a needle bar by the body artist.

g)         Pigment shall be reconstituted using only distilled or sterile water or a glycerin product.

h)         Immediately before a tattoo is applied, the quantity of the ink to be used shall be transferred from the ink bottle and placed into single-use containers.  Upon completion of the tattoo, these single-use containers and their contents shall be discarded.

i)          Each certificate of registration holder shall demonstrate, by monthly spore destruction tests, that the autoclave used is capable of attaining sterilization.  These tests shall be verified through an independent laboratory.  Test records shall be retained on-site by the operator for a period of one year.