 Bloodborne Pathogens and Infection Control for Tattooing and Body Piercing
This course provides training as required by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29CFR 1910.1030). Material covered in the course includes definitions of bloodborne pathogens, modes of transmission, universal precautions, engineering and work practice controls, exposure control plans, hepatitis B vaccinations, and other information needed to the safety of the tattoo artist or body piercer. A special section on infection control has been added to this course. This course can be used as introductory training as well as satisfy OSHA's annual refresher requirement. Note that the standard requires an opportunity for you to ask interactive questions and receive answers from the person conducting the training session. OSHA was asked if having a trainer available to answer any questions via email was considered to be in compliance with this requirement. In an interpretation letter OSHA states that "it is critical that trainees have an opportunity to ask and receive answers to questions where material is unfamiliar to them. Frequently, a trainee may be unable to go further with the training or to understand related training content until a response is received." Therefore, it is OSHA's policy that using an email system to answer questions is NOT considered direct access to a qualified trainer. If the qualified trainer is available through an interactive on-line exchange or via phone communication whenever a question arises, this is considered acceptable. This training course complies with the requirement by having an online chat (AOL screen name: eduwhere) available at 1 pm - 5 pm every Tuesday (Eastern Time), 9 am - 11 am every Wednesday, and by scheduled appointment, with a toll free number to call if you have questions (866-523-9108).  What You Get:
Online Training Course: Bloodborne Pathogens and Infection Control for Tattooing and Body Piercing
Meet the “Tattoo Doctor”
While not a licensed MD, TD earned his “Doctor” moniker from 20 plus years within the medical industry, first as a research technician for a major teaching university hospital, then as an owner of a medical supply company and finally as a buyer for a major drug wholesaler. For the last 8 years TD has turned his talents to developing new products for the Tattoo Industry.
TD Choice Awards Use the TD Choice Award to serve as your guide to selecting the very best. In keeping with my mission to bring medical grade products and practices to the art of piercing and tattooing I established the TD Choice Awards. The Award is only given to those products that can substantiate claims and/or listed with the FDA as medical products.
Disclaimer: tattooudirect nor “The Doctor” offer or imply the offer of expert medical opinion, treatments or advice. Specific medical concerns can only be answered by your personal physician. Mission Statement The Tattoo Doctor is dedicated to bringing medical grade products and practices to the art of piercing and tattooing. Tattoo FAQ Why do tattoos fade? Answer: Tattoos fade slightly over time because the skin naturally sloughs off the top layer of dead skin cells. Tattoos exposed to the sun will fade a lot due to the bleaching action (oxidation of the ink pigments in the tattoo) from the sun’s rays. Winter sun can fade a tattoo as much as the summer sun. How do I keep my tattoo from fading? Answer: The best way to keep a tattoo from fading is to use sunscreen year round or keep it covered from the sun. Use a sunscreen specifically formulated for tattoos that can be found at your local tattoo parlor. I want to get a tattoo, but I am afraid it will hurt? Answer: Yes it does hurt, a little or a lot depending on your threshold for pain. However, after the initial discomfort your body will release its own natural pain killers called endorphins. I want to get my ear lobe pierced, but I am afraid it will hurt? Answer: See me get my ear pierced in a video showing the painless Coren PS System. Should I take an over the counter pain killer before getting a tattoo or piercing? Answer: Absolutely DO NOT take any medications before getting a tattoo or piercing. If you are on a prescription drug consult with your physician before getting a tattoo or piercing. Is there a safe way to reduce the pain before and after a tattoo or piercing? Answer: Yes you can safely and effectively block the pain. I have found that the application of a cold pack for 10 to 15 minutes immediately before and after a tattoo or piercing helps reduce pain and promotes healing. The application of cold is a proven medical treatment to reduce pain and promote healing. Take advantage of its anesthetic effect by applying a cold pack to the area that will be tattooed or pierced. Do not apply the ice pack directly to the skin as it may cause frost bite. Instead use a blue easy sleeve cold pack cover like that used by TD ICE that is available from your local tattoo shop. How does cold work to block pain? Answer: Cold works by blocking the pain receptors under the skin, which you experience as numbness. Used before a procedure it will block the pain until your body’s own natural pain killer, endorphins kick in. Cold used afterward will effectively kill the pain and promote faster and better healing of the skin. Dermatologists use ice packs to numb the skin to make multiple Botox injections. Do not apply the ice pack directly to the skin as it may cause frost bite. Instead use a blue easy sleeve cold pack cover like that used by TD ICE that is available from your local tattoo shop. I heard that you can’t get a MIR if you have a tattoo? Answer: Some tattoo inks have high levels of heavy metals in them and would cause swelling or irritation. Speak with your physician before undergoing any medical procedure. Why can’t I give blood after having a tattoo? Answer: While the risk and actual incidents of getting an infection from a tattoo are small, blood banks do require a waiting period after getting a tattoo. . More FAQ Do tattoo needles and piercing needle have to be sterile? Answer: YES. When a product is called sterile it means that it has been treated (heat, radiation, chemical) so that it is virtually free of all harmful bacteria and pathogens that can cause infection.
How can I be sure my tattoo shop is using sterile products? Answer: Sterile products should be packaged in a sealed bag or pouch. On the pouch is a color indicator that changes color to signify that the product has undergone a sterilization process. All needles, piercing instruments and studs should be in unopened packaging. If you are unsure, ask the artist, they will be more than happy to explain every step they take to insure your safety. Does the tattoo artist need to wear gloves? Answer: Yes. Gloves must be worn by the person doing the tattoo or piercing. Does a tattoo artist need to wear a mask? Answer: Possibly. If the person doing the tattoo has a cold they should wear a mask to avoid passing it on. Also if the artist has bad allergies they can avoid the embarrassment of sneezing on their customers. With the recent pandemic outbreak of Swine Flu it may be wise for both the artist and the person getting inked to wear masks. What is aseptic technique? Answer: Aseptic technique is the procedure used by the artist to ensure that sterile products are handled in such a way as to minimize exposure to dirt and dust. Wearing gloves, plastic sleeves and covers over the equipment are all part of the technique. However, simply wearing gloves and using sterile needles does not insure aseptic technique is being strictly followed. A break down in proper technique can result in cross contamination. What is cross contamination? Answer: Cross contamination or cross infection is the spread of bacteria or germs when aseptic technique is not followed. Give me some common examples so I can spot a breakdown in aseptic technique? Answer: If the person who is doing the tattoo or piercing sneezes on you or the equipment, that’s a break in aseptic technique. If an instrument falls on the floor and is reused, that’s a break in aseptic technique. If the artist stops to answer the phone, or shake someone’s hand and does not put on a new pair of gloves, that’s a break in aseptic technique. If the artist refills the cup with ink from a large bottle without changing gloves is the most common violation of aseptic technique. Reusing a tube of ointment from one tattoo to the next is another common violation to aseptic technique. These last two violations are why you should insist on unit dose everything. Is tattoo ink sterile? Answer: No. Most tattoo inks on the market are not sterile. However, the fact that they are highly concentrated pigments reduces the ability of bacteria to grow on them. This is the reason honey and peanut butter can be set out on the table un-refrigerated and not spoil. This is why I am a big proponent of ink shots, (unit dose ink). How can I be sure that I am getting good ink? Answer: Avoid shops with messy ink stations, un-capped or crusty bottles. The best way to tell if you are getting the freshest ink and not from a bottle that has been sitting around for months is to go to and tattoo polar that uses unit dose inks. Each color ink shot comes sealed in a small disposable tube. |
