[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Health of the Borough of Ridgefield 10-11-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-9-12-2. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
One who engages in body piercing.
Refers to the piercing of any portion of the human body for placement
of any type of jewelry or any other ornamentation, other than ear lobe piercing.
Written approval from the Health Officer or his/her authorized representative
that said tattooing or body piercing establishment has been inspected and
meets all of the terms of this chapter.
The premises wherein tattooing or body piercing is performed.
The Ridgefield Borough Health Officer or his/her authorized representative.
Any individual, firm, company, corporation or association that owns
or operates an establishment where tattooing or body piercing is performed,
and any individual who performs or practices the art of tattooing on the person
of another.
A document or other written or memorialized instrument setting forth
the presenter's true name, address, correct age or other identifying
data, examples of which include but are not limited to driver's license,
credit card issued by a national company, birth certification, passport, employment
identification card, or any instrument issued by a governmental agency setting
forth the pertinent and required information.
A bacterial treatment of cleaned surfaces by a process which is effective
in reducing the number of microorganisms to a safe level.
Products or items that are disposed of after use on each client,
including but not limited to, cotton swabs or balls, tissues or paper products,
paper or plastic cups, gauze and sanitary covering, razors, needles, scalpel
blades, stencils and ink cups.
Destruction of all forms of microbiotic life, including spores, through
the use of a steam sterilizer or autoclave.
Refers to any method of placing designs, letters, scrolls, figures,
symbols or any marks under the skin with ink or any other substance resulting
in the coloration of the skin, by the aid of needles or any other instruments
designed to puncture the skin.
One who engages in tattooing.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any operator to engage in the
business of operating an establishment where tattooing or body piercing is
performed without first obtaining a license from the Ridgefield Health Department
to engage in such business in accordance with the provisions hereof.
B.
An application for an initial license shall be made to
the Health Department of the Borough of Ridgefield accompanied by a fee in
the amount of $250.
C.
Application for licenses under this chapter shall be
made to the Ridgefield Health Department in writing, upon such printed forms
as the Ridgefield Health Department shall prescribe and prepare. Such forms
as the Board of Health shall provide and prepare may be obtained from the
Ridgefield Health Department and shall be signed by the applicant under oath
and shall contain the following information:
(1)
If an individual, the full name, age, sex and residence
address at the time of application.
(2)
If a corporation, the full corporate name, the date and
the state of incorporation, address of the place or places of business, the
name and address of the registered agent, and the name, address and age of
any principal owning more than 10% of the stock.
(3)
If a partnership, the information required by Subsection C(1) above for each partner and the name under which the business is being conducted.
(4)
The apprenticeship, training and/or business experience
of the applicant in the business or occupation for which the license is sought.
(5)
The length of time that the applicant has been engaged
in such business or occupation.
(6)
Whether the applicant carries public liability insurance,
and, if so, the amount of said coverage and the company providing such liability
insurance.
(7)
Name, address and age of every tattoo artist and/or body
piercer to be initially employed to conduct the service. This shall be a continuing
obligation for licenses to update once a year the list of tattoo artists and/or
body piercers employed by the establishment.
(8)
The date upon which a construction official has approved
the location for business.
D.
No ownership rights in any licenses or renewal thereof
granted under the provisions of this chapter shall be assignable or transferable
without the permission of the Health Department, whose permission shall not
be unreasonably withheld. Any change of ownership shall require a new application
and license with payment of fees.
E.
The renewal license fee for engaging in the business
of operating an establishment subject to this chapter within the Borough of
Ridgefield shall be $200 per year. All licenses shall expire on the last day
of each calendar year. The first license expiration date for renewal shall
be December 31, 2000. All applications for renewal must be presented to the
Health Department in writing, on a form prescribed by the Health Department,
within 30 days of the end of the calendar year.
F.
All establishments existing at the time of the enactment of this chapter will be considered renewal applications provided that they apply for renewal of said license within one month after the effective date of this chapter. Establishments failing to apply within the specified time period will be considered new applicants and will be subject to the provisions of Subsection B of this section.
G.
If renovations of the tattoo or body piercing establishment occur, plans must be submitted to the Health Department and the applicant will be required to comply with § 447-4 herein, as well as all other applicable codes, regulations or laws.
H.
In the event that an applicant fails to qualify for a
license under this chapter, the fee herein shall not be refunded.
I.
The license issued pursuant to this section shall be
posted conspicuously in the place of business or location named therein.
J.
All establishments shall manage contaminated (body fluids)
contact waste materials as medical waste pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26-A.8. All
establishments shall be licensed with the State of New Jersey as a medical
waste generator, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26-A, B, prior to approval from the
Ridgefield Health Department.
A.
It shall be a violation of this chapter for anyone or
any tattoo or body piercing business to tattoo or body pierce any individual
under 18 years of age without authorization signed by the parent or legal
guardian, witnessed and attested to by a notary public. The operator shall
be responsible for maintaining the original consent form and copies of all
consent information for a period of two years beyond the recipient's
18th birthday. The operator shall obtain a copy of two forms of identification
of such individual being tattooed and/or pierced.
B.
Each person wishing to receive a tattoo or body piercing
must first sign a consent form presented by the operator, the content of which
has been approved by the Ridgefield Health Department. This form shall commence
with the following statement: "I swear, certify or affirm under the penalties
of false swearing or perjury the following information." The consent form
shall contain language above the applicant's signature which shall read,
"I have read and understand the consents of this form, and acknowledge that
an operator of the above-named tattoo and/or body piercing establishment has
reviewed the same with me. I have presented to the operator the following
forms of identification which I represent, warrant and guarantee are truthful
and correct and are identification that relates to me. I further represent
that I am an adult over the age of 18, and am not currently intoxicated or
under the influence of any narcotic substance, and make this statement entirely
of my own free will and sound mind." The form shall also include a signature
line for the operator above which the following language shall appear: "I
have reviewed the language of this form with the applicant, who has represented
to me that he/she fully understands the contents of same and that the information
provided is truthful. In addition, I have reviewed the documentation presented
by the applicant with respect to his/her age." If the applicant appears to
be visibly intoxicated or disoriented, the operator must refuse the applicant.
C.
All records regarding tattoos or body piercing are to be maintained for a minimum of two years. Information required for each applicant referred to in Subsection B is to include the name, age, date of birth, health history including allergies and medical condition, home address and telephone number of the applicant as well as the name of the person who did the tattoo or body piercing, the design, location and the date of the tattoo or type of body piercing done.
A.
Each tattoo or body piercing facility shall have a bathroom accessible to the public and staff and a stainless steel sink in a separately designated sterilization room which is to be used by staff only as required by Subsection I of this section. The sink in the sterilization room shall be connected to hot and cold running water. 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 in the bathroom(s) and sterilization room at all times. Common towels are prohibited. Employee hand washing signs shall be posted in each bathroom and sterilization room. There shall be no door requiring the use of a tattoo artist/body piercer's hand in going from a hand-washing area to a work area.
B.
The chair or seat reserved for the person receiving the
tattoo or body piercing shall be a material that is smooth and easily cleanable
and constructed of material that is nonabsorbent. Any surface on the chair
that becomes 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 tattoo artist or
body piercer shall be smooth and easily cleanable and constructed of material
that is nonabsorbent. There shall be a nonpermeable juncture between a table/counter
and a wall if the table/counter is to be placed against a wall. This table/counter
must be cleaned and sanitized (utilizing a method approved by the Ridgefield
Health Department) between customers.
D.
The walls in the tattooing or body piercing area shall
be smooth and easily cleanable and constructed of a nonabsorbent material.
E.
The floor in the tattooing or body piercing area shall
be of durable material that is nonabsorbent and is smooth and easily cleanable.
Floors shall be kept clean.
F.
Lighting within the tattoo or body piercing area shall
be adequate so as to provide a minimum of 100 footcandles in all areas. Such
illumination shall be reasonably free from glare and distributed to avoid
shadows.
G.
Each establishment must contain at least one enclosed
"privacy room" so as to protect the confidentiality of the applicant and revelation
of the services provided. The privacy room must be used when tattooing or
body piercing is to be performed on either female breasts, or buttocks or
groin areas of males or females. The privacy room shall have a swinging-type
door for ingress and egress, and be separated from other areas of the establishment
by either walls or durable partitions, or other materials able to be sanitized,
extending at least six feet in height and so designed to prevent visual observation
of the customer and the tattoo artist from any other area by any persons other
than the customer and the tattoo artist or body piercer.
H.
Any surfaces in the establishment that become exposed
to blood or body fluids must be cleaned and sanitized, utilizing a method
approved by the Ridgefield Health Department.
I.
Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization activities must
be conducted in a physically separate work area. This area should have a clearly
defined work pattern, from soiled to clean, in order to prevent cross-contamination.
All sterile equipment must be stored in enclosed cabinets outside of the processing
room. All containers, regardless of size, must be clearly marked with the
name of the product.
J.
Proper waste receptacles shall be provided and waste
shall be disposed of at appropriate intervals.
K.
The use of tobacco in any form in the establishment is
prohibited.
L.
The consumption of food or drink shall be prohibited
in the tattoo/body piercing work areas of the parlor.
M.
Only articles considered necessary for the routine and
customary operation and maintenance of the tattoo/body piercing business shall
be permitted in the tattoo or body piercing establishment.
N.
No live bird, turtle, snake, dog, cat or other animal
shall be permitted in any area used for the conduct of tattooing and/or body
piercing operations or in the immediate open, adjacent areas, including the
main waiting area and the public access toilet room, with the exception of
animals utilized for the assistance of the blind and/or deaf.
O.
Effective measures shall be taken to protect the entrance
into the parlor and the breeding or presence on the premises of insects and
rodents.
P.
Proper ventilation and exhaust will be provided.
A.
Tattoo artist or body piercer/operator certificate.
(1)
No person shall practice the art of tattooing or body
piercing within the Borough of Ridgefield without first obtaining a certificate
from the Department.
(2)
All certificates shall automatically expire on December
31st annually.
(3)
No certificate to practice the art of tattooing or body
piercing shall be issued unless:
(a)
The applicant furnishes proof of having previously held
such a certificate; or
(b)
The applicant furnishes proof of having practiced the
art of tattooing or body piercing as a full-time occupation, which may take
the form of a letter from a tattoo and/or body piercing establishment representing
that the applicant is/was employed by said establishment as a tattoo artist
or body piercer, or that the applicant presently operates or had in the past
operated a tattoo or body piercing establishment, or had in the past or presently
maintained an ownership interest in a business, partnership or corporation
which operates or operated a tattoo or body piercing establishment; and
(c)
The applicant furnishes proof of having attended blood-borne
pathogen training which includes principles of disinfection and sterilization.
Compliance with this subsection will be waived for guest tattoo artists retained
by the establishment so long as the customer upon whom the guest tattoo artist
is to provide the service is provided with prior written notice that the guest
tattoo artist has not attended blood-borne pathogen training including principles
of disinfection and sterilization; and
(d)
Proof of Hepatitis B pre-exposure vaccination or proof
of immunity is recommended for all tattoo artists or body piercers. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, all tattoo artists or body piercers shall provide the Ridgefield
Health Department with one of the following:
[1]
Proof of Hepatitis B pre-exposure vaccination or proof
of immunity.
[2]
A letter or statement from a physician certifying that
the individual does not have Hepatitis B and the vaccination is contraindicated.
[3]
A written statement or letter signed by the tattoo artist or body piercer declining to provide the information sought in the immediately preceding Subsections A(3)(d)[1] or [2].
(e)
The operator shall develop operating guidelines, in accordance
with the CDA and OSHA, that will reduce the likelihood of accidental needle
sticks and establish a monitoring system for those person(s) accidentally
stuck by a needle. The guidelines shall be submitted to the Ridgefield Health
Department for approval prior to the issuance of a license and subsequent
renewals of license; and
(f)
The applicant pays the initial and annual certificate
fee of $25.
(5)
Certificates shall be issued unless the Ridgefield Health
Department demonstrates that the tattoo/body piercing operator has failed
to comply with the provisions of this section after being afforded reasonable
opportunity to cure any deficiencies found in its application.
(6)
All certificates shall be conditioned upon continued
compliance with the provisions of this section as well as other applicable
provisions.
(7)
The certificate shall be posted in a prominent and conspicuous
area where it may be readily observed by patrons.
B.
Aftercare plans. The operator of a tattoo/body piercing
establishment shall submit a written aftercare plan to the Ridgefield Health
Department. Body piercing establishments will submit an aftercare plan specific
to each body site intended to be pierced.
C.
Operator hygiene.
(1)
Before working on each patron, each tattoo artist or
body piercer shall scrub and wash his/her hands thoroughly with hot water
and antiseptic soap. Fingernails shall be kept clean and short.
(2)
Disposable vinyl or latex gloves shall be worn by the tattoo artist or body piercer during tattoo preparation and application to prevent contact with blood or body fluids. Universal precautions described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shall be followed. All materials shall be disposed of in accordance with § 447-5G of this chapter after contact with each patron. Hands shall be washed immediately after removal of gloves. Any skin surface that has contact with blood shall be washed immediately.
(3)
Immediately after tattooing or body piercing a patron,
the tattooist or body piercer shall advise the patron on the care of the tattoo
or body piercing, in a written form, and shall instruct the patron to consult
a physician at the first sign of infection of the tattoo or body piercing.
Printed instructions regarding these points shall be given to each person.
(4)
All medically diagnosed infections resulting from the
practice of tattooing or body piercing which become known to the operator
shall be promptly reported to the Health Officer by the person owning or operating
the tattoo or body piercing establishment or by the tattoo artist or body
piercer within 24 hours.
(5)
Employee health.
(a)
The establishment shall comply with all the current OSHA
requirements applicable to its operation.
(b)
No person affected with infected wounds, open and infected
sores, and acute respiratory infection shall work in any area of a tattoo
or body piercing establishment in any capacity in which there is a likelihood
of contaminating tattoo or body piercing equipment, supplies or work surfaces.
D.
Skin preparation.
(1)
Tattooing or body piercing shall be done only on normal,
healthy skin surface that is free of infection.
(2)
Only safety razors with disposable blades shall be used for the skin preparation. Blades shall be disposed of according to § 447-5G of this chapter after each use, and new blades shall be used for each patron.
(3)
Following shaving, the area shall be thoroughly cleansed
and scrubbed with tincture of green soap, or its equivalent, and warm water.
Before placing the design or body piercing on the patron's skin, the
area shall be treated with 70% alcohol and allowed to dry. Piercing of mucous
membranes (i.e., oral, nasal, vaginal, etc.) shall be treated with an industry-appropriate
and medically indicated antiseptic solution prior to the procedure.
(4)
Only petroleum jelly (U.S.A. or National Formulary) or
antiseptic ointment shall be applied to the tattoo area prior to tattooing
and body piercing. The ointment shall be applied in a sanitary manner, disposing
of the utensil after spreading. Collapsible tubes of ointment or jelly may
also be used.
E.
Tattooing and body piercing procedures.
(1)
The use of single-service hectographic stencils shall
be required for applying a tattoo outline to the skin. Multi-use stencils
shall be prohibited.
(2)
Only nontoxic dyes or pigments may be used. Premixed
sterile materials are preferred. Premixed dyes shall be used without adulteration
of the manufacturer's original formula. The operator shall represent
to the Ridgefield Health Department, at the time of license application and
renewal, that to the best of his/her knowledge the dyes and pigments used
in tattoo applications are of nontoxic origins and shall submit supporting
documentation on same. The operator shall also present to the Ridgefield Health
Department labels or manufacturer's data sheets relating to dyes and
pigments or such other written documentation as is applicable to the dyes
and pigments that they are nontoxic or nonhazardous to human health.
(3)
Single-service or individual containers of dye or ink
shall be used for each patron and the container disposed of immediately after
completing work on each patron.
(4)
The completed tattoo shall be washed with sterile gauze
or single-use paper tissue and a solution of tincture of green soap, or its
equivalent, then disinfected with 70% alcohol. The area shall be allowed to
dry and antiseptic ointment shall be applied and spread with sterile gauze
and sterile dressing attached.
(5)
Upon completion of piercing of the mucous membranes,
the area shall be disinfected with the industry-appropriate and medically
indicated solutions.
F.
Needles, instruments and dyes.
(1)
Only single-service sterilized needles and needle bars
shall be used for each patron.
(2)
If solder is used in manufacturing needles, needle bars
or needle tubes, it must be free of lead.
(3)
Any needle that penetrates the skin of the tattoo artist or body piercer shall be immediately disposed of in accordance with § 447-5G of this chapter.
(4)
Needle tubes shall be ultrasonically cleaned in a solution which is alconox or its equivalent, then scrubbed with a clean brush, then rinsed clean. Needle tubes shall be sterilized in accordance with § 447-5F(5), stored in sterile bags and maintained in a dry, closed area.
(5)
Each item to be sterilized shall be individually wrapped
using chemical indicator bags or chemical indicator strips. Sterilization
shall be by steam sterilization/autoclave. The autoclave shall be well maintained
with a tight-fitting gasket and clean interior. The manufacturer's operating
instructions and sterilization specifications shall be at hand. The sterilizer
shall conform to the manufacturer's specifications with regard to temperature,
pressure and time of sterilization cycle. Proper functioning of sterilization
cycles shall be verified by the monthly use of biologic indicators (i.e.,
spore tests). A record of these monthly test results shall be available, and
a test may be required to be done during any inspections. Establishments are
required to maintain an autoclave on site, with a minimum interior chamber
that is no less than seven inches in diameter and 15 inches in depth.
(6)
If the primary source of sterilization malfunctions,
the Ridgefield Health Department shall be notified no later than four hours
after the deficiency. In an emergent situation, the Ridgefield Health Department
may approve alternate sterilization techniques.
(7)
Needles and bars shall not be bent or broken prior to
disposal. Tattoo artists or body piercers shall take precautions to prevent
injuries from contaminated needles or tubes.
(8)
All dyes and inks shall be from a source of supply which
complies with applicable U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations when
available. Dyes and inks are to be used in accordance with the manufacturer's
directions and are not to be adulterated with any substance not recommended
by the manufacturer. Immediately before applying a tattoo, the quantity of
dye to be used for the tattoo shall be transferred from the dye bottles and
placed into sterile, single-use paper cups or plastic caps. Upon completion
of the tattoo, these single use cups or caps and their contents shall be discarded.
Excess dye or ink shall be removed from the skin with a single service wiping
tissue or sterile gauze which shall be discarded after each use.
G.
Disposal of waste. All used needles, needle bars or other
disposable tools used in the tattooing process, as well as gloves, gauze and
other materials saturated with blood or body fluids, shall be removed through
the use of a licensed medical waste hauler.
Temporary tattoo/body piercing establishments are prohibited.
A.
Any person or entity who or which violates any section
of this chapter shall be subject to the following penalty: a fine not to exceed
$1,000; imprisonment not to exceed 90 days in the county jail; community service
not to exceed 90 days; or any combination thereof in the discretion of the
Municipal Court Judge. Each day that the violation exists is considered to
be a separate offense.
B.
After due notice and hearing, the Health Department may
suspend or revoke any licenses issued under this chapter for violation of
provisions of this chapter.
