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-.17 - Body Piercing Procedures
Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024
(1) Medical grade disposable gloves shall be worn during the preparation of equipment for a piercing procedure and during the procedure. Vinyl gloves are not permissible.
(2) Before the procedure begins, all sterilized instruments to be used in the body piercing must be placed on a medical grade liner that is placed on a disinfected surface. Any nonsterilized equipment may be sterilized in a medical grade cassette autoclave before the procedure begins and kept in the cassette.
(3) Single use, sterilized piercing needles shall be used and disposed of immediately after use into a puncture-resistant or disposable biohazard container.
(4) No approved tool may be modified and used for anything other than its intended use as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
(5) Pre-sterilize all reusable equipment such as forceps, hemostats, calipers, and tubes in sealed, properly labeled, sterile indicator bags. These items are to be used only on one person in one sitting. After one such use, they must be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, placed in sealed indicator bags, properly labeled, autoclaved, and stored in sterile indicator bags.
(6) Sterilized instruments shall remain in sterile packages until opened in front of the client.
(7) Single-use towels or gauze shall be used in preparing the piercing site and shall be disposed of after use on each client.
(8) If shaving is necessary, single-use disposable razors shall be used and discarded into a puncture-resistant container between clients and as otherwise needed.
(9) After shaving the area to be pierced, or if the area does not need to be shaved, the piercing site shall be thoroughly cleaned with an antimicrobial solution used in accordance with manufacturer's label instructions.
(10) In the case of oral piercings, the operator shall provide the individual with antimicrobial mouthwash in a single-use cup and shall ensure that the individual utilizes the mouthwash provided and rinses based on the manufacturer's label instructions prior to the procedure. In the case of a lip, labret, or cheek piercing, procedures described in this section for both skin and oral piercings shall be followed.
(11) If piercing a minor, the legal parent or guardian that signed the application must be in the procedure area while the minor is receiving the piercing.
O.C.G.A. § 31-40-5.
