Officials propose regulations
By Nathan Hall
Staff
Writer
The Tippecanoe County Health Department is formulating
a proposal for sanitation regulations for local tattoo parlors.
The health department held a discussion forum March
21 with local tattoo artists and body piercers to discuss possible sanitation
guidelines and regulations.
Ron Cripe, administrator for the Tippecanoe County
Health Department, described the recommendations as an improvement to
current policies.
"Back in 1997, the Indiana State Department of
Health issued some guidelines on tattoo parlors and sanitary precautions,
but they didn't pass any enforcement with that guideline," Cripe said.
The proposed enforcement will most likely include
random inspections on local tattoo parlors to monitor adherence to safety
and sanitation regulations.
According to Cripe, the inspections would focus
on three main areas of the tattoo and body piercing business: clean
hands of all workers, proper sanitation of equipment and safe disposal
of equipment and needles.
Cripe added that he doesn't think the new sanitation
regulations will present any problems for local tattoo parlors.
"The tattoo artists that are currently practicing
take it very seriously … we want to help new people entering the
profession to understand universal precautions."
Many local tattoo parlor managers voiced their
support for the proposed regulations.
Monte, a manager at New Breed, said the proposed
ordinance is "an all positive thing. It gives the public a chance to
be educated about the risks and to answer the public's questions that
they might have had."
Kevin O'Brian-Hampton, manager and co-owner of
Body Graphics, said, "I think it's a great idea. (Tattoo parlors) should
be checked at least once a month."
Several tattoo artists said the health department
needs to include an informational course on sterilization and safety
for practicing artists and that part of the department's proposal needs
to include a biohazard disposal service.
There is no such service operating in the Lafayette
area.
Cripe plans to deliver the health department's
recommendations to the county commissioners by early 2003.
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