This article establishes a code for the regulation of tattooing and
tattooists, body piercing, body branding, and because of the potential danger
for the spreading of communicable diseases through the process, unless there
are safeguards to ensure that said process is safe and under appropriate regulations.
No person, partnership, firm or corporation engaged in the tattooing
and/or body piercing business shall be issued a license to engage in such
activity unless the premises at which such activity is to be conducted and
the equipment to be utilized in conjunction therewith meet the following standards
and are inspected/approved the New Providence Board of Health:
A. Each tattooing and/or body piercing facility shall have
a bathroom accessible to the client and staff. Each bathroom shall be equipped
with a commode and a sink with the sink being connected to hot and cold running
water. Soap and sanitary towels or other approved hand-drying devices shall
be available at the sink at all times. Common towels are prohibited. In addition
to the above, each tattooing/body piercing cubicle or work station must be
provided with a sink connected to hot and cold running water. This area shall
also be provided with soap and appropriate hand-drying devices.
B. The chair, seat or exam table reserved for the person
receiving the tattooing/body piercing shall be of a material that is smooth
and easily cleaned and constructed of material that is nonabsorbent. Any surfaces
on the chair, seat or exam table that become exposed to blood or body fluids
must be cleaned and sanitized prior to use by the next customer.
C. The work table or counter used by the operator shall
be smooth and easily cleaned and constructed of material that is nonabsorbent.
There shall be a covered junction between the table/counter and the wall if
the table/counter is to be placed against the wall. This table/counter must
be cleaned and sanitized or use single-use, disposable sheets between customers.
D. The walls of the tattooing/body piercing area shall be
smooth and easily cleaned and constructed of nonabsorbent material. Floors
shall be kept clean.
E. Lighting within the tattooing/body piercing area shall
be adequate to provide a minimum of 100 footcandles in all areas.
F. The work area reserved for the tattooing/body piercing
shall not be less than 100 square feet and shall be separated from other areas
of the establishment by walls or durable partitions extending at least 6 feet
in height.
G. Any surface in the establishment that becomes exposed
to blood or body fluids must be properly cleaned and sanitized.
H. Products used in the cleaning, sanitizing and sterilizing
procedures must be clearly marked and stored in an acceptable manner. Smaller
working containers filled on-site from larger containers must be clearly marked
with the name of the product.
I. Proper waste receptacles shall be provided and waste
disposed of at appropriate intervals.
When it appears to the Health Officer that the operation of the tattooing/body
piercing establishment poses an immediate and imminent threat to the public
health and safety, such that irreparable harm will occur if the tattooing/body
piercing establishment is not immediately closed, the Health Officer shall
have the power to order the immediate closure of the tattooing/body piercing
establishment until such time that the violations complained of have been
corrected.