Responsibilities - Employees & Personnel Providers

A thorough understanding of how needlestick injuries occur and the health risks associated with those injuries is crucial to developing a good response plan and protecting the health and safety of employees. It is important for body artists to be aware of occupation-specific practices that could further protect them, as well as the unique risks within the occupation.

Artists should adhere to training protocols, which include the following procedures:

• How to follow best safety practices
• When and how to use PPE
• How to use first aid
• What to do in the event of an emergency in the workplace

Federal law stipulates that an employee has a right to a safe workplace. As an employee of a tattoo and piercing studio, you have many rights, including the following:

• To speak up without fear of retaliation
• To work on machines that are safe
• To be trained in a language you understand
• To be provided required safety equipment
• To be protected from toxic chemicals
• To request OSHA inspections and speak with the inspector
• To report a related injury or illness
• To be provided copies of your medical records

These rights, along with others, are already granted to you. In the instance that you feel that working conditions are unsafe in any way, you can contact OSHA and file a confidential complaint. OSHA representatives are also available via email, phone, or in person to answer any questions you might have and to discuss these rights.

Employees are responsible for following the safety guidelines and participating in the training provided for preventing needlestick injuries. Additionally, employees are responsible for properly wearing the PPE provided for them.

Personnel Providers

Personnel providers are responsible for informing the potential employee about risks associated with working for a client, such as potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

To learn more about Body Art Bloodborne Pathogens visit our Bloodborne Pathogens Tattoo Artist & Body Piercers Online Training web page.