Diseases which are transmitted through the exchange of body
fluids, including but not limited to diseases such as AIDS and the
HIV virus, have become serious threats to the public health. In an
effort to protect the health and welfare of all residents of the Township
of Berlin, it is deemed necessary to regulate certain activities in
which the potential for the transmission of such diseases exists.
This chapter is applicable to all persons, partnerships, nonprofit
corporations, corporations and other entities which, upon persons
other than themselves and for a fee or charge, whether or not paid
by the person who is the subject of the procedure, uses needles, scalpels,
blades, knives or other skin-puncturing or cutting device for any
purpose, including but not limited to the drawing of blood, the injecting
of medicine or nutrients, the piercing of body parts for cosmetic,
medical or any other purposes.
It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, nonprofit corporation, corporation or other entity to engage in any activity encompassed by §
294-2 of this chapter unless the following regulations are complied with:
A. The person or individual using or administering the needle, scalpel,
blade, knife or other skin-puncturing or cutting device, the person
or individual performing the activity, and the person or individual
supervising the activity in which the needle, scalpel, blade, knife
or other skin-puncturing or cutting device is used shall be a physician
licensed to practice medicine within the State of New Jersey, a dentist
licensed to practice dentistry within the State of New Jersey, a chiropractor
licensed to practice chiropractic medicine within the State of New
Jersey, a nurse licensed to practice nursing within the State of New
Jersey or other person who is certified and licensed, by the State
of New Jersey or by a universally recognized licensing or certification
agency, in a health-related field in which the use of needles, scalpels,
blades, knives, or other skin-puncturing or cutting devices is part
of the formal training for the certification or license. Persons so
certified and licensed may include but shall not be limited to emergency
medical technicians, paramedics, home nurse practitioners, midwives
and those persons who administer acupuncture.
[Amended 6-18-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-11]
B. All persons and individuals using or administering the needle, scalpel,
blade, knife or other skin-puncturing or cutting device, all persons
or individuals performing the activity, and all persons or individuals
supervising the activity in which the needle, scalpel, blade, knife
or other skin-puncturing or cutting device is used shall prominently
display their educational degree and license from the State of New
Jersey within their place of business or other location in which they
perform the activities which are the subject of this chapter.
[Amended 6-18-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-11]
C. All persons and individuals using or administering the needle, scalpel,
blade, knife or other skin-puncturing or cutting device or performing
the activity in which the needle, scalpel, blade, knife or other skin-puncturing
or cutting device is used shall have, within their place of business
or other place in which they perform the activities which are the
subject of this chapter, sterilization devices for any and all nondisposable
needles, scalpels, blades, knives or other skin-puncturing or cutting
devices. It is preferable that all needles, scalpels, blades, knives
or other skin-puncturing or cutting devices be of the disposable type
in order to provide the greatest protection to the residents of the
Township. In no case shall a device described above that is used on
one person thereafter be used on another person without first being
properly and completely sterilized.
D. All items to be discarded from the use of needles, scalpels, blades,
knives or other skin-puncturing or cutting devices, including but
not limited to the needles, scalpels, blades, knives, and skin-puncturing
and cutting devices themselves, as well as blood products, skin, body
parts and items which have contact with blood products, such as but
not limited to gauze, bandages, gloves and sutures, shall be kept,
stored and securely maintained in a sealed container clearly labeled
as containing medical waste and which container shall be kept indoors,
out of the reach of any and all persons other than the person performing
the activities which are the subject of this chapter, until such time
that the discarded items are picked up by a medical waste disposal
company. Further, all such discarded items shall only be discarded
by and through a medical waste disposal company licensed to do business
within the State of New Jersey. Those employees of medical waste disposal
companies who pick up the medical waste containers shall have been
properly trained in all applicable Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) requirements for the handling of such containers.
Further, all such discarded items shall be picked up by such a medical
waste disposal company at least one time per month.
E. All activities which are the subject of this chapter shall be performed
in a room which contains only the individual on whom the services
are being performed and persons who are permitted to perform such
services by this chapter.
F. All persons performing activities and services which are the subject
of this chapter shall use either latex or double surgical gloves at
all times when performing such services.
G. All persons performing activities and services which are the subject
of this chapter shall, as a minimum, be screened annually for the
hepatitis B virus.
H. All places of business which perform the activities which are the
subject of this chapter shall be subject to periodic and/or random
inspection by the Township of Berlin and Camden County Health Officer
or by such other person who may be appointed by the governing body.
All persons, partnerships, nonprofit corporations, corporations
or entities who violate any provision of this chapter shall be subject
to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $2,000 for each
violation of this chapter or imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both.
Each day that the violation exists is considered to be a separate
offense.