At Inkworld Tattoo we pride ourselves on Industry Specific Training for Tattooing. There are only 7 teachers in the
United States that can teach the course. If your artist is Industry Specific BBP Certified, they will be aware of all the
dangers involved in the tattoo process. They should also follow all the safety points that are to follow. Why do we
have signs that say “Please do not set anything on the floor” throughout the shop? Answer: This is called cross
contamination awareness and prevention. Having these signs is a good start to ensuring that your artist or shop has
received industry specific training and that they are fully aware of the microbial spray!
The electric method of tattooing produces (microbial spray). It is invisible and comprised of the clients’ bodily fluids
(blood plasma and ink). We treat all bodily fluids as if they are an OPIM or Otherwise Potentially Infectious Material.
This microbial spray comes off the tattoo process when the needle is in contact with the skin. It forms a 12-inch radius
around the machine and will be on anything that is within 12 inches of the tattoo. We ask that you please do not touch
around the area that’s being tattooed! This microbial spray is made up of your bodily fluid, so it is no danger to
you. Gravity pulls this over spray to the floor with each tattoo process, this is the reason why we treat the floor as an
OPIM. It’s also the reason why the entire tattoo chair is covered in barrier shielding. The bottom line is there is no 5
second rule when it comes to the tattoo studio floor! From time-to-time people accidentally drop their keys, phones,
glasses, etc. don’t worry it happens on a regular basis. Our staff will pick the item up from the floor for you with PPE
(gloves) on. Then we will disinfect the item with a broad spectrum Microbial, Tuberculocidal, and Virucidal
environmental surface disinfectant. Once the 5-minute kill time has been reached the client is safe to touch the item
again. The moral of the story is we asked that you please (don’t touch the floor or around the area where you’re being
tattooed). This entire section is referred to as Cross Contamination Awareness and prevention.
Here is the four-part Industry Specific Training that should be associated with all professional tattooing and piercing. It
is a Professional Code of Ethics and Safety Standard! But without Industry Specific Training some artist and or
shops may not have this training!
Step 1: Single use disposable needles. It is imperative that the needle pouches, metal grips, ointment, razors, ink
caps, bags, and anything else used in the tattoo process be stored in a specific area referred to as CSA (Clean
Storage Area). This area cannot be used for tattooing. The tattoo process must be done on a separate area from the
CSA.
Surgical asepsis and medical asepsis are being used in this storage area. To get into this area, you must first have
freshly washed hands and a brand-new pair of gloves. Surgical asepsis: Is the needles and the machine tube/grip.
These parts of the procedure should always come out of a sterile pouch and be opened in front of you! Medical
asepsis: Is using new razors, ointment, bottle bags, barrier shielding, etc. The storage and handling of the single use
equipment is just as important as the single use in itself.
Step 2: Autoclave sterilization is a type of sterilization that uses heat steam and pressure. 284ﾟat 30 psi for 30
minutes this is referred to as steam style sterilization.
Step 3: We microbial spore test our autoclave the same as your dentist, doctor, or surgeon. We proudly display our
most recent autoclave spore testing results. This process is done by putting a friendly endospore into the steam
chamber before the cycle begins. Once the cycle ends the spore is placed in an envelope and mail to the lab where it
is examined with a microscope to ensure that it reached proper parameters of sterilization. This is referred to as a
microbial spore tested autoclave.
Step 4: Industry Specific BBP Training for every person that works within the shop or studio. Including counter help or
assistants. If you put one person in this environment that does not have the proper training then they won’t know safe
and Proper hand washing techniques, what they can safely touch, what they cannot touch, when to wear gloves, and
when to not wear gloves. Without the same level of training as the artist they would be putting everyone at risk. When
an artist or shop has Industry Specific Training, they will not have any problems talking to you about any of this
information listed above. They will be proudly displaying their Industry Specific Training Certificates for all that work
there. This information is a public awareness education campaign. And if the shop does not follow these 4 simple
rules, I would suggest you find a shop that does. It is your health and safety that is on the line