Body Piercing Advice and Safe Practice - Charnwood Borough ...

What do I need to do to ensure safe
treatment at my premises? (n)
What is the best way for me to store and handle jewellery
items, instruments and needles to avoid contamination?
There are a number of simple ways you can reduce the likelihood of contamination after items are
removed from packaging or from the sterilizer, and so make your work safer for yourself and your
client:
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Many types and gauges of body piercing needle are now available by mail order and via
the Internet, and at low cost, so use of one-use-only needles is now best practice and
affordable. Ordering your needles sterile-packed from a reliable supplier is best, and also
means that they will be of a consistent quality and so less likely to cause unnecessary skin
damage or infection during use. Sharps disposal is covered elsewhere in this document
(See waste disposal).
If you steam sterilize unpackaged items, such as pliers and forceps, and these are not used
immediately, they must be stored dry, in a clean, disinfected, covered container that avoids
dust settling on clean items. Although such items have been cleaned and sterilized, they
cannot be regarded as having a high quality assurance of sterility at point of use because they
are not being used in a controlled clinical environment such as an operating theatre; so,
Such items should be used within three hours of removal from the steam sterilizer and must
be stored as described during that time.
What should I do if I’m still unsure about anything?
If you have any concerns about the use of any aspect of your body piercing equipment, and cannot
find the information you need in any accompanying instructions, do contact your supplier directly,
or if different, the manufacturer. They may have information that has not been supplied to
you but which is available on request. If you are not happy with their response contact your local
environmental health department for advice. They will be pleased to assist you.
Guidance for operators / Body Piercing
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