Tattoo Hygiene Rating Scheme Inspection Proforma
Name of Officer
Date of Visit
Employer / Duty
Holder Name
Name & Address of
Premises
Treatment Offered
Person(s) Seen
Names of Registered
Operator(s)
LEVEL 2
(All of the below must be in place, otherwise a Rating of 1 to be issued):
Comments
CLEANLINESS OF PREMISES & FITTINGS
1
Internal walls, doors, windows, floor, ceiling kept clean
& in good repair
2
Waste bin with pedal / refuse collection / correct
disposal arrangements
3
Needles, razors or other sharp items used in treatment
disposed of in a sharps container
4
All furniture and waste receptacles are kept clean
5
Any table, couch or item which may become
contaminated with blood or bodily fluids and any
surface which a needle, instrument or equipment is
placed on immediately prior to treatment, has a clean
and impervious surface which is cleaned and
disinfected immediately after use and at the end of
each working day
6
Any table or couch in contact with clients skin is
covered by use of a disposable paper sheet or plastic
film wrap or similar which is changed for every client
7
Eating or drinking is prohibited in the treatment area
(except water during the tattoo process for the client)
and prominent notice(s) are displayed
8
Animals are prohibited from the treatment area (except
guide dogs)
TREATMENT AREA
9
Clinical areas physically distinct from non-clinical areas
and all treatments conducted solely in the treatment
area
10
Floor of the treatment area is smooth and impervious to
water
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
CLEANSING & STERILIZATION OF NEEDLES,
INSTRUMENTS, MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT
11
Any gown, wrap or other protective clothing, paper or
other covering used in treatment is clean and in good
repair and has not been used on previous client, unless
it consists of a material which can be and has been
adequately cleansed &, so far as is reasonably
practicable, sterilised
12
All needles / razors / other sharp instruments are single
use and disposable
13
Any single-use instrument, or equipment or parts of an
instrument that touches a client are sterile
14
If petroleum jelly or lubricating gel is placed on a
client’s skin, it is removed with a clean spatula which is
disposed of following treatment, or cleaned & sterilised
before re-use
15
Tattoo machines and clip cords are covered with plastic
which is renewed between clients and disposed of
appropriately
16
Elastic bands or needle runners used on tattoo
machines are changed between clients and disposed of
appropriately
17
Tattoo stencils and marker pens are single-use and are
disposed of appropriately
18
Only ink that is dispensed into single-use pots or pre-
packed single-use containers is used
19
Ink containers are single-use and unused ink is
disposed of after each treatment
20
Plastic film wrap used to cover tattoos is clean and
used straight from the pack and is secured by use of
hypo allergenic tape
21
A sink which is separate to the WHB is available for
general purpose use, with a constant supply of hot and
cold running water (and located out of the treatment
area wherever possible)
22
Sterilisation equipment is available (unless only pre-
sterilised items are used) and is serviced / tested /
maintained in accordance with manufacturer
instructions, and records are retained. [Note: Vacuum
autoclaves are needed for hollow tubes, tips and grips]
23
There are sufficient and safe gas points & electrical
socket outlets
24
Clean and suitable storage is provided for articles,
needles, instruments and equipment
RECORD KEEPING
25
For the purpose of controlling the spread of infection
records are retained of all clients treated (including
name, address, DOB, nature of treatment, medical
history, health assessment, name of operator and
signed consent form)
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
CLEANLINESS & PERSONAL HYGIENE OF
OPERATORS
26
Operators are aware of appropriate hand hygiene
procedures and wash hands immediately before and
after each treatment
27
Operators are instructed in the correct use of PPE
28
Hands and nails are kept clean and nails kept short and
free from nail varnish, nail decoration or any form of
nail covering
29
No wrist watches, stoned rings or other jewellery worn
during treatment
30
Open lesions on exposed parts of the body are covered
by waterproof dressing
31
Operators wear disposable, well fitted, powder-free
surgical gloves that conform to EC standards, are free
from rips and tears and have not previously been used
on another client
32
Operators do not wear natural rubber latex (NRL)
gloves for treatment involving petroleum based
lubricants
33
Operators wear a gown, wrap or protective clothing that
is clean / washable and sterile or wears a single-use
apron that is disposed of appropriately after use
34
Operators do not smoke or consume food in the
treatment area
35
All operatives practising are maintaining high standards
of personal hygiene at all times
36
Suitable and sufficient WHBs with non-hand operated
taps provided and appropriately located for the sole use
of operators, equipped with an adequate supply of hot
and cold water, liquid soap and paper towels stored in
a wall mounted dispenser next to the WHB. Hand
washing instructions clearly displayed at the WHB
37
Sanitary accommodation for operators is adequate,
clean and maintained in a hygienic condition
LEVEL 3
(All of the above to be achieved, plus the following):
RECORDS, ID CHECKS AND CLIENT
INFORMATION
38
ID checks are carried out to verify date of birth (DOB)
and details of type of ID seen is recorded in the client
records
39
A record of the brand and batch numbers of inks used
in the treatment are recorded in the client record
40
Client aftercare advice is provided following treatment,
in writing, that the client can retain and take away with
them
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
LEVEL 4
(All Level 2 & Level 3 criteria must be achieved + the following):
41
The proprietor of the business and all artists operating
from the premises are members of a trade or
professional body that promotes safe and hygienic
tattooing
42
Arrangements are in place to immunise operators
against Hepatitis B. Records of operators who have
declined vaccinations are retained. Where operators
have been vaccinated, evidence is available
43
Training arrangements are in place to ensure CPD or
similar, tailored appropriately to ensure competence of
all operators. Staff training records are available
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
(NOT integral to rating criteria)
A
Adequately stocked first-aid kit available
B
Operator’s first-aid trained
C
Operators aware of needle stick injury procedure
D
Operators aware of procedure for dealing with body
fluid spillages
E
Registration certificates correct and on display
F
Copy of Local Authority byelaws available on the
premises
G
Autoclave pressure tested in accordance with Pressure
Systems Safety Regulations 2000
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO