Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV)
Chapter 246-145 - Body art, body piercing, electrology and tattooing standards for sterilization procedures and infection control
Section 246-145-050 - Standard universal precautions for preventing the spread of disease in body art, body piercing, and tattooing

(1) Use sterile instruments and aseptic techniques at all times during a procedure.

(2) Use only presterilized single-use disposable needles for body piercing and tattooing on one client and then dispose of the needles immediately in a sharps container.

(3) Wear a clean outer garment and prevent hair from coming into contact with the client. All necklaces, bracelets, or other personal items must be removed or covered by the outer garment or gloves to prevent the item coming in contact with the client.

(4) Wash hands and wrists thoroughly in warm running water with soap for at least twenty seconds, scrub around and under fingernails, rinse completely and dry with a clean single-use towel or hand dryer. Handwashing must be done immediately before and after performing a procedure.

(5) Inspect hands for small cuts, sores and abrasions. If present, use a Seal-skin product or bandage.

(6) Licensees with weeping dermatitis or draining sores must avoid contact with clients and equipment until the weeping dermatitis or draining sores are healed.

(7) Wear gloves during procedures and while assembling instruments. Licensees must wash hands immediately before single-use disposable gloves are put on and after gloves are removed.

(8) Wear gloves to prepare the client's skin (washing and shaving) and then discard the gloves after completing the preparation. A new pair of gloves must be put on before continuing the procedure.

(9) Remove gloves immediately, wash hands or use a hand sanitizer, and put on new gloves, when gloved hands break aseptic technique (e.g., touching eyes, nose or mouth, answering the phone, opening a door, or retrieving an item from the floor) during a procedure, or when gloves are torn or have small pinholes.

(10) If a licensee sustains a needle stick, they shall resume the procedure with clean and sterile equipment after rewashing hands and putting on new gloves.

(11) Change gloves after contact with each client.

(12) Clean and disinfect chairs, tables, work spaces, counters, and general use equipment in the procedure area between each client. Follow manufacturers' instructions for proper use of disinfecting (or detergent) products.

(13) Use appropriate barrier films to cover all items gloved hands would normally come into contact with during a procedure. These items include, but are not limited to, machine heads, clip cords, spray bottles, seat adjustment controls, power control dials or buttons and work lamps.

(14) Use single-use stencils. Petroleum jellies, soaps and other products used in the application of stencils must be dispensed and applied using aseptic technique and in a manner to prevent contamination of the original container and its contents. The applicator must be single-use.

(15) Use only single-use pigment or ink containers for each client. Pigments and ink shall be dispensed from containers in a manner to prevent contamination to the unused portion. Individual containers of ink or pigment must be discarded after use.

(16) Use single-use razors during procedures and dispose of them in a sharps container.

(17) In the event of blood flow, use products that are single-use to control or check the blood flow or absorb the blood. Used products must be disposed of immediately in appropriate covered container. The use of styptic pens or alum solids to control blood flow is prohibited.

(18) Inks or pigments must not be banned or restricted by the FDA and must not be mixed with improper ingredients. Information indicating the source of all inks and pigments shall be available to the department upon request.

(19) Use single-use marking instruments or instruments sanitized by design, such as alcohol based ink pens, on intact skin that has been treated with an antiseptic solution. Any marking instrument that comes in contact with mucous membranes or broken skin shall be single-use.

(20) All jewelry, as defined in WAC 246-145-010, must be obtained in presterilized packaging from the manufacturer or be sterilized on-site prior to the procedure.

(21) Cleanse the client's skin before and after a procedure by washing the skin with a FDA registered antiseptic solution applied with a clean, single-use product. A sanitary covering must be placed over the procedure site when appropriate.

(22) Wearing new gloves open each package containing a sterile instrument in the presence of the client and handle each instrument in a manner to prevent contamination of the instrument.

(23) Prevent needlestick injuries by not recapping needles or breaking needles by hand and by not otherwise manipulating contaminated needles by hand.

(24) Disposal of sharps containers must comply with the local solid waste program through the licensee's local county health department.