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Body Art Storage, Chemicals, and Labels
In order to keep a safe and sanitary environment in a tattoo and body art facility, it is vital that supplies, equipment, personal protective equipment (in other words PPE), and chemicals are stored properly and labeled appropriately with proper signage. Let’s start with discussing the proper storage of machines, instruments, ink, PPE, and supplies used for body art activities. They should be kept in closed storage that is clean, dry, and protected from dust, aerosols, other chemicals and the potential for cross-contamination. Sterilized instruments need be placed in clean, dry, labeled, covered containers or stored in a labeled cabinet that can be closed that is protected from dust and water contamination. You should only handle sterilized packages with clean gloves. Touching sterilized packages with bare hands or gloves that have been used in a body art procedure can result in cross-contamination. Pathogens can then be transferred to the sterilized equipment when the packages are opened. Sterile packages should always be evaluated before use. An instrument should never be used if the package is wet, torn, or punctured. Toilet rooms and bathrooms shall not be used for the storage of machines, instruments, ink, PPE, or other supplies used for body art activities. So now, let’s take a look at chemicals. The most common chemicals in a body art facility are cleaning chemicals and disinfectants. Chemicals, whether they are hazardous or non-hazardous, must be properly labeled and stored at all times. Proper labeling and storage of chemicals can prevent accidental contamination and misuse of a chemical. A manufacturer's label is considered the best because it has the common product name, product identifier, the supplier identification, and the GHS pictogram and hazard statements. Never cover up or remove a manufacturer's label or the hazard information. In general, chemicals must be stored in labeled, closed containers in an enclosed storage area that prevents contamination of machines, instruments, ink, PPE equipment, supplies, and work surfaces. Chemicals must be used in a manner consistent with the manufacturer's labeling. Now, for biohazardous waste or sharps containers, warning labels must be attached to all containers used for the storage or transport of potentially infectious materials. The labels must be orange or red-orange with the biohazard symbol in a contrasting color. Each procedure area shall have a container for the disposal of sharps waste that is rigid, puncture resistant, leak proof and that is closeable and sealable. The container must be labeled with the words “sharps waste” or with the international biohazard symbol and the word “BIOHAZARD.” Bags or containers of regulated waste, or bags or containers of contaminated laundry must also be labeled with the biohazard symbol and that word.
In this lesson, you'll be learning how to properly store and label chemicals and hazardous waste. Cross-contamination is always a concern when mixing possibly contaminated objects, surfaces, and gloves with sterilized objects, surfaces, and gloves. Being super aware when handling any of the above items will be required.
To maintain a safe and sanitary environment in your tattoo or body art studio, it's vital that all supplies, equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and chemicals are stored properly and labeled appropriately with proper signage.
Proper Storage of Sterilized Supplies and Equipment
Properly storing machines, instruments, ink, PPE, and supplies used in body art procedures can help minimize the possibility of cross-contamination. Proper storage refers to two main components:
- Items are kept in closed storage.
- Closed storage areas are clean and dry and protected from dust, aerosols, and other chemicals.
Sterilized instruments should be placed in clean, dry, labeled, and covered containers or stored in labeled cabinets that can be closed and can still protect from dust and water contamination.
Pro Tip #1: Only handle sterilized packages with clean gloves. Touching sterilized items with bare hands or gloves that were used during a body art procedure can easily result in cross-contamination. The pathogen can then be transferred to the sterilized item once the package has been opened.
Pro Tip #2: On that same note, sterilized packages should always be evaluated before use and instruments should never be used if the package they came from was wet, torn, or punctured.
Bathrooms do not make for good storage rooms and should not be used to store machines, instruments, PPE, or any other supplies used in body art procedures.
Proper Storage of Chemicals
The most common chemicals in most body art studios are cleaning chemicals and disinfectants. All chemicals must be properly stored and labeled at all times, regardless of whether or not that chemical is hazardous or nonhazardous.
Proper labeling and storage can help prevent accidental contamination and misuse. The manufacturer's label must be present, as this will contain some vital information like the common product name, product ID, supplier ID, and the GHS pictogram and hazard statements.
Pro Tip #3: Never cover up or remove the manufacturer's label or hazardous information on any chemicals. For any reason!
In general, all chemicals must be stored in labeled, closed containers inside a closed storage area that can prevent contamination to machinery, instruments, ink, PPE, supplies, and work surfaces. Chemicals also must be used in a manner consistent with the manufacturer's label.
Proper Storage of Regulated Waste
For all biohazardous waste or sharps containers, warning labels must be attached to all containers used for the storage or transport of all potentially infectious materials. Labels must be orange or red/orange with a biohazard symbol in a contrasting color.
Every procedure area should have a container for the disposal of sharps waste that is:
- Rigid
- Puncture resistant
- Leak-proof
- Closeable
- Sealable
This waste should be labeled with the words sharps waste or with the international biohazard symbol and the word biohazard. All bags or containers of regulated waste or contaminated laundry must also be labeled with the biohazard symbol and those same words.