§ 8-139. Maintenance of pigments, dyes and equipment

(a) No pigments, dyes, or equipment shall be retained available for use in tattooing operations unless cleaned and sterilized as provided in this section. For purposes of this section, equipment shall include needles, needle tubes, towels, blade holders, wiping cloths, paper towels and napkins, charcoal, gauze bandages (unless purchased in individual sterile packages), and all similar items.

(b) All equipment shall be thoroughly cleaned before being sterilized. Instruments shall be cleaned with soap or detergent by use of a brush. The interior of needle barrels shall be brushed. After cleaning, equipment shall be thoroughly rinsed under running fresh tap water.

(c) All equipment shall be sterilized by autoclaving. Each piece of equipment shall be individually wrapped with paper in an approved method for autoclaving. Metal foil may not be used. Tattooing needles shall be threaded through the metal tube that attaches to the tattooing vibrator and shall be placed in a glass (or autoclavable plastic tube) with a cotton plug for autoclaving. Wiping tissues shall be sterilized in a single pack to be used for one (1) tattoo and then be discarded. All packs shall be marked with temperature recording tape or labels.

(d) Dyes or inks shall be used from containers with a cap that completely covers the opening and is attached to the neck of the dye container, sterilized in an autoclave after first being filled with the dye. Dye shall be handled utilizing aseptic techniques and the dye containers filled with dye shall be autoclaved at least once a week or more often if necessary to keep the dye in a sterile condition. The dyes may be placed in teflon squeeze bottles that will withstand autoclaving.

(e) Steam sterilization of the above listed equipment shall be accomplished in an autoclave with at least fifteen (15) pounds pressure per square inch (251° F) for at least thirty (30) minutes. Other means of sterilization may be approved by the health officer.

(f) All sterilized dyes, pigments and equipment shall be stored in a manner which will ensure sterility at the time of use.

(g) Proprietors shall maintain sufficient sterilized equipment available at the beginning of each workday to allow completion of such workday without requiring re-sterilization of such equipment.

(Ord. No. 97-16, § 1, 6-2-97)