A GUIDE TO TATTOO/BODY PIERCING SAFETY

All tattoo/body piercing facilities are required by law to first obtain a permit from the Cabell Huntinton Health Department. These facilities are required to be compliant with the West Virginia’s Tattoo/Body Piercing regulations. Routine inspections during the operation of the tattoo/body piercing area assess the operator's success in assuring that routine practices are conducted in a safe and sanitary manner.

Keep in mind that any inspection report is a "snapshot" of the day and time of the inspection. On any given day, a tattoo/body piercing facility could have fewer or more violations than noted in the report. An inspection may not be representative of the overall compliance of the facility.

INSPECTION PROCESS

• Inspection Frequency: Inspections are conducted at least four times per year. Re-inspections are scheduled if a facility has critical violations that cannot be corrected during the inspection.

• Violations (Two types of violations may be cited):
  
  • Critical Violations: Violations of the Tattoo/Body Piercing Regulations which, if left uncorrected, are more likely than other violations to directly contribute to illness or injury. Examples include: improper sanitization of needles, inadequate handwashing facilities, and improper disposal of hazardous waste.
    
  • Non-Critical Violations: Violations not directly related to the cause of illness or injury, however if uncorrected, could affect the operation of the facility and lead to critical violations. Examples include a lack of facility cleanliness, improper record keeping, and inadequate lighting.

For information about Tattoo/Body piercing safety, please visit our website.