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-.13 - Instrument Cleaning and Sterilization

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 511-3-8-.13

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) An ultrasonic cleaning unit and operational Class B or S medical grade or other approved medical-grade autoclave is required and shall be provided in each Body Art Studio unless the use of pre-sterilized items and equipment or single-use items has been approved by the Health Authority.

(2) Ultrasonic cleaning units used for cleaning instruments shall be clearly labeled "biohazardous" and shall be operated in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation.

(3) The ultrasonic cleaning unit and medical-grade autoclave shall be used and maintained according to manufacturer's specifications. Each ultrasonic cleaning unit and medical-grade autoclave shall be emptied and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected as per manufacturer's recommendations. Ultrasonic cleaning unit and medical-grade autoclave maintenance records must be maintained for two years and be made available upon request.

(4) Used non-disposable instruments shall be kept in a separate puncture-resistant container and soaked in a protein-dissolving detergent-enzyme cleaner until cleaned. The solution shall be changed as recommended by the solution manufacturer. The cleaning method shall include the following:

(a) Employees and body artists shall use personal protective equipment, protecting their eyes, nose, mouth, and hands while cleaning instruments and follow manufacturer's safety precautions for any chemicals used. Instruments shall be completely disassembled and pre-scrubbed prior to being placed into an ultrasonic cleaning unit. The ultrasonic unit must be sealed and covered when in use to protect from aerosolization.

(b) After removal from the ultrasonic cleaning unit, rinsed in clean water and air dried.

(c) Prior to being placed in the autoclave, all equipment shall be bagged, labeled as to its contents, initialed, dated and sealed. If multiple autoclaves are in use, the autoclave used must be designated on the packaging.

(d) Instruments shall be packed individually in sterilization packs and sterilized in a medical-grade autoclave. All sterilized packs shall contain either a sterilization indicator or internal temperature indicator and marked with the date of sterilization. Sterilized instruments may be stored for use up to one year, as long as the integrity of the packaging has not been compromised.

(e) Each autoclave bag must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and may hold no more than one individual item. A piercing set may be bagged together.

(5) After sterilization, the packaged instruments shall be stored in a clean dry cabinet or other tightly covered container reserved and labeled for storage of sterile instruments.

(6) If a sterilized package has been breached or allowed to get wet, the instruments must be re-packaged and sterilized again before use.

(7) A log of sterilization procedures shall be maintained near the sterilizing equipment. Included in the log, shall be type of load, quantity of load, temperature, pressure, and length of sterilizing time.

(8) Spore tests shall be used at a minimum frequency of every 40 hours of operation of the autoclave but not less than on a monthly basis unless the manufacturer specifies more frequent monitoring. Records of the results must be kept for a minimum of three years. An independent commercial testing laboratory contracted by the permit owner or body artist, or both shall perform biological spore testing of the autoclave. A provision shall be included in the contract with the commercial testing laboratory requiring the body art studio to notify the Health Authority of any failure of the autoclave to eradicate all living organisms, including spores.

(9) Upon notification of a positive microbiological monitoring report, the autoclave shall be immediately checked for proper use and function and the permit owner shall cease use of the autoclave immediately upon receipt of the positive report. Any items remaining bagged after sterilization must be reprocessed and sterilized by a medical-grade autoclave approved for use prior to return to service. A negative biological test and passing a Class 5 integrating indicator must be achieved before the autoclave can be used again and the studio is reopened. The studio shall have the option to obtain a properly functioning sterilizer with a negative biological report in order to remain open or if the studio has more than one autoclave in operation, they may be given approval to remain open. The Body Art Studio's standard operation procedure should include an emergency plan should an autoclave failure or malfunction occur.

(10) Any item or instrument used for body art that is contaminated during the procedure shall be discarded and replaced immediately with a new disposable item or a new sterilized instrument or item before the procedure resumes.

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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