Tattoo Health and Safety Regulations and Bloodborne Pathogen Training

As the weather starts getting warmer and winter chill has thawed, the tattoo itch starts into high gear. Most people start thinking about getting ink when they begin to bare more skin in the summer months. Be sure that your shop is ready for the influx of traffic and most importantly, make sure your artists are up to code with the OSHA regulations for initial and annual bloodborne pathogen training.

The OSHA annual training requirements for bloodborne pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) states that all employees with occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials, receive initial and annual training on the hazards and the protective measures to be taken to minimize the risk of occupational exposure. An explanation of the use and limitations of methods that will prevent or reduce exposure, including appropriate engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment, should be included in the training. While OSHA is a federal agency that requires national standards, tattoo certification and licensing is regulated by state, county and city health departments. Be sure you check with your local health department to find out the what the additional requirements are in your area.

So what is the fastest and easiest way to get your artist update to date with their training? Try online safety training with the SafetySkills Bloodborne Pathogen course. The training requirements that are fulfilled by this course include: an explanation of the modes of transmission of BBP, information on the Hepatitis B vaccine and its effectiveness, an explanation of the use and limitations of methods that will prevent or reduce exposure, an explanation of the basis of selecting PPE, information on the appropriate actions to take in case of a potential exposure, and an explanation of signs and label/color coding. The course is only 30 minutes long and the user can print out a certificate as soon as the course is completed.

To further your shop's tattoo health and safety training, SafetySkills also offers a 10 minute Tattoo Safety online safety training course. This course is designed to teach tattoo artists the basics behind keeping a clean and safe work area to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens. The course does not replace Bloodborne pathogen training but can be used in conjunction with it. The course offers no certification but is meant to give beginners an overview of the recommended hygienic practices in a tattoo shop. Depending on your area of operation, you may also be required to obtain yearly training certification for CPR and first aid in addition to bloodborne pathogens. Safety Skills also offers courses in those subjects if you need them.

Ready to check out our Bloodborne Pathogens course? Click here to watch a course demo or set up an account to being training for yourself or assign the training to others.