A. All non-single-use, nondisposable instruments used for body art shall be cleaned thoroughly after each use by scrubbing with a germicidal soap or disinfectant solution and hot water in an instrument sink to remove blood and tissue residue, followed by cleaning in an ultrasonic unit also operated in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

B. After being cleaned, all nondisposable instruments used for body art shall be packed individually in peel-packs and subsequently sterilized. All peel-packs shall contain either a sterilizer indicator or internal temperature indicator. Peel-packs must be dated with an expiration date not to exceed 30 days.

C. All cleaned, nondisposable instruments used for body art shall be sterilized in a steam or chemical autoclave. The sterilizer shall be used, cleaned, and maintained according to manufacturer’s instruction. A copy of the manufacturer’s recommended procedures for the operation of the sterilization unit must be available for inspection by the department. Sterile equipment may not be used if the package has been breached or after the expiration date without first repackaging and resterilizing. When a seal is broken on bulk items, the individual items must be resterilized before use. Sterilizers shall be located away from work stations or areas frequented by the public.

D. Each holder of a permit to operate a body art establishment shall demonstrate that the sterilizer used is capable of attaining sterilization by monthly spore destruction tests. These tests shall be verified through an independent laboratory. In addition, if a chemical autoclave is used, the permit holder shall demonstrate its use to the department upon request and shall keep a log of disposal dates of chemicals, manner of disposal, and dates of each cleaning. The permit shall not be issued or renewed until documentation of the sterilizer’s ability to destroy spores and record logs are reviewed by the department. These test records shall be retained by the operator for a period of three years and made available to the department upon request.

E. After sterilization, the instruments used for tattooing/body piercing shall be stored in a pre-disinfected cabinet or other tightly covered container reserved for the storage of such instruments.

F. All instruments used for tattooing/body piercing shall remain stored in sterile packages until just prior to the performance of a body art procedure. When assembling instruments used for body art procedures, the operator shall wear disposable medical gloves and use medically recognized techniques to ensure that the instruments and gloves are not contaminated.

G. All inks, dyes, pigments, needles, and equipment shall be specifically manufactured for performing body art procedures and shall be used according to manufacturer’s instructions. The mixing of approved inks, dyes, or pigments or their dilution with potable water is acceptable. Immediately before a tattoo is applied, the quantity of the dye to be used shall be transferred from the dye bottle and placed into single-use paper cups or plastic cups. Upon completion of the tattoo, these single cups or caps and their contents shall be discarded. [Code 2006 § 9-5-13. Ord. 2003-01, 1-14-2003].