Tattoo Shop Alert: OSHA Cites Another Company for BBP Violations

SAN DIEGO - July 19, 2013 - PRLog -- The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced on July 16, 2013 that it cited Smile Center Dental, a District of Columbia dental company, with serious health violations involving bloodborne pathogens (BBP) hazards.

OSHA said that its inspection of Smile Center Dental was initiated in response to a complaint and resulted in proposed penalties of  $61,600.

Three months ago in April, OSHA proposed $46,800 of penalties for bloodborne pathogens violations against Keystone Pain Institute, a Pennsylvania medical clinic.

Just like Keystone, Smile Center Dental has been given 15 days from receipt of the citations to comply or contest the citations and proposed penalties.

So, why should tattoo shop owners be concerned about medical and dental facilities getting cited by OSHA?

Here’s what OSHA said in its July 16 press release about the alleged violations at Smile Center Dental, “The cited violations include workers' exposure to bloodborne pathogens without an exposure control plan or proper training … and the use of inadequate personal protective equipment. Additionally, the company failed to provide workers with Hepatitis B vaccinations within 10 days of employment, have an adequate hazard communication program and training in place, properly label chemicals and maintain material safety data sheets for chemicals used on-site. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.”

All of the above are types of violations that could occur in a tattoo shop.

Just like Smile Center and Keystone, a tattoo shop is required by OSHA to protect workers who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. In addition, many state and local governments have their own tattoo safety requirements.

California’s new Safe Body Art Act, for example, requires tattoo shops to have a written Infection Prevention and Control Plan (IPCP) plan to protect both artists and clients.

With the increased popularity of tattoos, the tattoo industry is being held to higher standards of workplace health and safety. Tattoo shop owners should expect strict federal and local enforcement of regulations and hefty fines for violations.

Taking into account OSHA’s inspection of Smile Center and Keystone, tattoo shop owners should review their shop safety plans and determine if they are in compliance with all applicable regulations.

Shop owners who feel their safety plans need to be improved should call Kathy Hartman at the Body Art Training Group at 858 792-1630 and ask about Easy Wizard™.

Easy Wizard™ is an online software program that helps body art shop owners quickly create a customized Exposure Control and Infection Prevention Plan (ECIPP). An ECIPP is a comprehensive safety plan that contains the policies and procedures needed to protect everyone who enters a tattoo shop.

For tattoo shops located in California, Easy Wizard™ can be used to create an IPCP as well as an ECIPP.

Using Easy Wizard™ to create and implement an ECIPP is the best way for a shop owner to prepare for an inspection—whether it’s by an inspector from OSHA or a local enforcement agency.  

Go to http://www.ecipp.com for full details and an opportunity to take Easy Wizard™ for a test drive.