Sanitation and sterilization procedures

1. All nonsingle-use, nondisposable instruments used for body art shall be cleaned thoroughly after each use by scrubbing with an appropriate soap or disinfectant solution and hot water or by following the manufacturer's instructions, to remove blood and tissue residue, and shall be placed in an ultrasonic unit also operated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. 2. After being cleaned, all nondisposable instruments used for body art shall be packed individually in peel-packs and subsequently sterilized as specified in subsection 3. 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 six months. 3. All cleaned, nondisposable instruments used for body art shall be sterilized in a steam autoclave or dry-heat sterilizer (if approved by the department). 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. Sterilizers shall be located away from workstations or areas frequented by the public. If the body art establishment uses only single-use, disposable instruments and products, and uses sterile supplies, an autoclave shall not be required. 4. Each holder of a license 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. The license shall not be issued or renewed until documentation of the sterilizer's ability to destroy spores is received 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. 5. Tattoo needles and piercing needles are not reusable under any circumstances. After use, all needles, razors, and other sharps shall be immediately disposed of in red sharps containers, appropriately labeled with the international biohazard symbol. After sterilization, all reusable instruments used for tattooing or body piercing shall be stored in a dry, clean cabinet or other tightly covered container reserved for the storage of such instruments. 6. All instruments used for tattooing or 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. 7. 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 cups and their contents shall be discarded.