Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 511 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Chapter 511-3 - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HAZARDS
Subject 511-3-8 - BODY ART
Rule 511-3-8-.09 - Minimum Design Standards

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 511-3-8-.09

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) A studio shall provide work areas separate from observers or visitors. An individual body artist shall not perform body art procedures simultaneously on different clients.

(2) There shall be adequate floor space for each work area in the studio. At a minimum, an adequate area includes space for all items required by this Chapter, such as a handwashing sink, a waste receptacle, and a sharps container, as well as space for the Body Artist to safely perform body art procedures.

(a) Work areas must be separated from lobby and waiting areas by nonabsorbent curtains, knee walls, or other partitions approved by the Health Authority.

(b) Floors shall be nonabsorbent and easily cleanable.

(c) Work areas shall provide privacy, if desired by the client, by means of nonabsorbent curtains or similar approved partitions.

(d) If body art procedures are conducted in an environment where airborne particulates are of concern (including but not limited to hair and nail salons), the body art procedures shall take place behind a floor-to-ceiling partition or in a separate room.

(3) A Body Art Studio shall have a cleaning room to be used exclusively for the cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of instruments.

(a) The cleaning room shall have a separate stainless-steel instrument sink reserved only for instrument disinfection activities and shall be equipped with hot and cold running water. Sink shall have smooth welds and joints, be free of breaks and open seams, and be easily cleanable.

(b) The cleaning room shall be separated from any other area in the studio by means of doors, nonabsorbent curtains, or similar approved partition extending from floor to ceiling or a height of at least eight feet and must be labeled to prevent clients from entering the room.

(c) The cleaning room shall be equipped with an ultrasonic cleaning unit and a Class B or S medical grade autoclave or another approved autoclave. The autoclave shall be used to sterilize all non-disposable and reusable body art equipment.

(d) The instrument sink, ultrasonic cleaning unit, and autoclave shall each be separated by a minimum distance of forty-eight inches unless using a splashguard approved by the Health Authority.

(e) The cleaning room walls, floors, doors, windows, skylight, and other components shall be constructed of smooth, nonabsorbent, durable material and be maintained in good repair.

(f) The requirement for a cleaning room with an ultrasonic cleaning unit and autoclave may be waived by the Health Authority if the studio only stores and uses commercially purchased sterile single-use disposable body art tattoo instruments.

(4) Hand washing facilities shall be provided within 30 feet of each workstation and must be fully accessible in an unobstructed pathway. Additional hand sinks may be placed at the discretion of the Health Authority if warranted. Hand washing facilities will also be made available in the cleaning rooms. These are in addition to the required sinks in toilet rooms. Studios that are open and operating on the effective date of this Chapter will be required to have one hand wash sink that is available by an unobstructed pathway within thirty feet of each work area not to include any hand wash sinks in toilet rooms.

(5) Hand washing sinks and instrument sinks shall be used for those intended purposes only.

(6) At least one service sink or one curbed cleaning facility equipped with a floor drain shall be provided and conveniently located for the cleaning of mops or similar wet floor cleaning tools and trash cans and for the disposal of service water and similar liquid waste. After the effective date of this Chapter, mop sinks will be required upon renovation to any existing studio or any major plumbing renovation.

(7) The use of common towels and cloths for any purpose is prohibited.

(8) Sanitary Facilities and Controls.

(a) Enough potable water for the needs of the Body Art Studio shall be provided from a public water system, or from an approved nonpublic water system that is constructed, maintained, and operated according to applicable state or local codes as amended.

(b) Non-Public Water Supply - Approved Wells.
1. Water from a non-public water system shall follow guidelines established in the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Memorandum of Understanding for Non-Public Water Supplies.

2. Sampling Report. The most recent sample report for the non-public water system shall be retained on file in the Body Art Studio and results must be forwarded to the Health Authority.

(c) Sewage. All sewage, including liquid water, shall be disposed of by a public sewage system or by an approved on-site sewage disposal system.

(d) Plumbing. Plumbing shall be sized, installed, and maintained according to law, state and local code. There shall be no cross-connection between the potable water supply and any other water supply or other possible source of contamination.

(9) Toilet Facilities.

(a) There shall be a minimum of one restroom containing a toilet and a handwash facility readily accessible to any Body Artist or client that does not require passage through a cleaning room and work area with the exception that access through such areas may be allowed if the risk of contamination is determined to be minimal.

(b) Toilet rooms. Toilet rooms opening directly into work or client waiting areas shall be completely enclosed and shall have tight-fitting, solid self-closing doors, which shall be closed except during cleaning or maintenance.

(c) All toilet rooms shall have sufficient mechanical ventilation to keep them free of excessive heat, steam, condensation, vapors, obnoxious odors, smoke, and fumes.

(d) Toilet fixtures. Toilet fixtures shall be kept clean and in good repair. A supply of toilet tissue shall always be provided at each toilet. Easily cleanable receptacles with trash liners shall be provided for waste materials. Toilet rooms shall have at least one covered waste receptacle.

(10) Handwash Facilities.

(a) Handwash facilities shall be designed, installed, and maintained according to law, state and local code.

(b) Each handwashing sink shall be equipped to provide hot water at a temperature of at least 100ºF (38 ºC). Hot and cold water shall be tempered by means of a mixing valve or combination faucet. Any self-closing, slow-closing, or metering faucet used shall be designed to provide a flow of water for at least twenty seconds without the need to reactivate the faucet.

(c) A soap dispenser and a supply of antiseptic, hand-cleaning soap or detergent shall be available at each handwash facility. A fully covered or enclosed towel dispenser with a supply of single use sanitary towels shall be conveniently located near each handwash facility. Easily cleanable waste receptacles with self-closing lids with hands-free controls shall be conveniently located near the hand washing facilities.

(d) Sinks, soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers, and all related fixtures shall be kept clean, in good repair, and supplied at all times.

(11) Solid Waste.

(a) Non-Biomedical Waste Containers.
1. Garbage and refuse shall be kept in durable, easily cleaned containers that do not leak and do not absorb liquids.

2. All outside refuse containers shall be covered and maintained.

3. Containers used in work areas shall be kept covered when not in use. At least one waste receptacle shall be provided in each artist area. Receptacles in the body artist area shall be emptied daily or more if necessary. Solid waste shall be removed from the premises at least weekly or more if necessary.

4. There shall be a sufficient number of containers to hold all the garbage and refuse that may accumulate.

(b) Garbage and refuse shall be disposed of at such frequency to prevent the development of odor and the attraction of insects, rodents, or vermin.

(c) Biomedical Waste Containment.
1. Disposal of infectious waste such as blood, fluids, used inks, or other liquid waste may be deposited directly into a drain connected to an approved sewer system or on-site sewage system via a sink dedicated to that purpose.

2. Containment of biomedical waste shall be in a manner and location which affords protection from animals, rain, and wind, does not provide a breeding place or a food source for insects and rodents, and minimizes exposure to the public.

3. Biomedical waste shall be segregated by separate containment from other waste at the point of origin.

4. Biomedical waste, except for sharps, shall be placed in containers which are impervious to moisture and have strength sufficient to preclude ripping, tearing, or bursting under normal conditions of use. The containers shall be securely closed so as to prevent leakage or expulsion of solid or liquid wastes during storage, handling, or transport.

5. Sharps shall be contained for storage, transportation, treatment, and subsequent disposal in leak-proof, rigid, puncture-resistant containers which are taped closed or tightly lidded to preclude loss of contents.
(i) Rigid containers of discarded sharps and all other disposable containers used for containment of biomedical waste shall be red or orange in color and clearly identified with the universal biohazard symbol or clearly marked with the word "Biohazard."

(ii) Biomedical waste contained in disposable containers as prescribed above shall be placed for storage, handling, or transport in disposable or reusable pails, cartons, boxes, drums, or portable bins. The containment system shall have a tight-fitting cover and be kept clean and in good repair. The containers may be of any color and shall be conspicuously labeled with the universal biohazard symbol and the word "Biohazard" on the sides so as to be readily visible from any lateral direction when the container is upright.

(iii) Reusable containers used for shipment of biomedical waste shall be thoroughly washed and decontaminated each time they are emptied. Reusable pails, drums, dumpsters, or bins used for containment of biomedical waste shall not be used for other purposes.

(iv) Sharps container must be placed within arm's reach and below eye level at their point of use.

(12) Physical Facilities, Floors, Walls, Ceilings, and Attached Equipment: Floors, walls, ceilings, and attached equipment and decorative materials shall be kept clean and maintained in good repair.

(a) Floors.
1. Floors and floor coverings of all work areas, dressing rooms, locker rooms, toilet rooms and vestibules shall be constructed of smooth, nonabsorbent, hard durable material and maintained in good repair.

2. The floor and cove base/joint shall be properly sealed.

3. Carpeting is allowed in the lobby area only and shall be of closely woven construction, properly installed, easily cleanable, and maintained in good repair.

(b) Walls and Ceilings.
1. Maintenance. Walls and ceilings, including doors, windows, skylight, and similar closures shall be constructed of durable, easily cleanable material and be maintained clean and in good repair.

2. Attachments. Light fixtures, vent covers, wall-mounted fans, and similar equipment attached to walls and ceilings shall be easily cleanable and maintained in good repair.

(13) Lighting.

(a) Permanently fixed artificial light sources shall be installed to provide at least fifty- foot candles of light on all work area surfaces and at equipment washing work levels.

(b) Permanently fixed artificial light sources shall be installed to provide at a distance of thirty inches from the floor at least ten-foot candles of light in all other areas.

(14) Ventilation. All rooms shall have sufficient ventilation to keep them free of excessive heat, steam, condensation, vapors, obnoxious odors, smoke, and fumes.

(15) Poisonous or Toxic Materials.

(a) Materials permitted. There shall be present in the Body Art Studio only those poisonous or toxic materials necessary for maintaining the studio and cleaning or sanitizing equipment, as well as controlling insects and rodents.

(b) Labeling of materials. Containers of poisonous or toxic materials shall be prominently and distinctly labeled according to law for easy identification of contents and approved for intended use.

(c) Toxic items shall be separated from other materials used in body art procedures by way of a closed cabinet or separate room.

(d) Spray bottles labeled with contents may be used for the purpose of cleaning but not for body art procedure preparation.

(16) Premises.

(a) Body Art Studios shall be kept neat, clean, and free of litter and rubbish.

(b) Only articles necessary for the operation and maintenance of the Body Art Studio shall be stored on or within the studio. Lockers or other designated area will be provided for such personal items as purses, jackets, medications, etc.

(c) Aisles and working spaces. Aisles and working spaces between units of equipment and walls shall be unobstructed and of sufficient width to permit body artists and employees to perform their duties readily without contamination of equipment or operational surfaces by clothing or personal contact.

(d) The premises shall be kept in such condition as to prevent the entrance, harborage, or feeding of insects, rodents, or vermin.

(17) Equipment and Instruments.

(a) Materials.
1. Multi-use equipment and instruments shall be constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials; they shall be corrosion-resistant and nonabsorbent; and they shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and durable under conditions of normal use. Single-service articles shall be made from clean, sanitary, and safe materials.

2. Re-use of single-service articles is prohibited.

(b) Design and Fabrication.
1. General. All equipment and instruments, including plastic ware, shall be designed, and fabricated for durability under conditions of normal use and shall be resistant to denting, buckling, pitting, and chipping.
(i) Body art operational surfaces shall be easily cleanable, smooth, and free of breaks, open seams, cracks, chips, pits, and similar imperfections, as well as free of difficult to clean internal corners and crevices.

(ii) Sinks and drain boards shall be self-draining.

2. Operational surfaces. Surfaces of equipment not intended as operational surfaces, but which are exposed to splash or debris or which otherwise require frequent cleaning, shall be designed, and fabricated to be smooth, washable, free of unnecessary ledges, projections, or crevices and readily accessible for cleaning. Such surfaces shall be of material and in such repair as to be easily maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

3. Needles, needle assembly with bar, dyes, or pigments shall be designed and manufactured for the sole purpose of body art.

O.C.G.A. § 31-40-5.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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