General Information	State of Montana
Choose another state> Choose another industry> Body Art

Montana Body Art Sterilization Guidelines

37.112.113 TATTOOING: STERILIZATION REQUIREMENTS

(1) Each tattooist must:

(a) use sets of individually wrapped, sterilized needles, bars and tubes for
each new client. Defective or faulty needles may not be used;

(b) except as provided in (2) below, sterilize needles, bars, tubes and any other articles which may come into contact with blood or body fluids, using autoclave sterilization, by placing the wrapped needles, bars and tubes in an autoclave for 20 minutes at 15 pounds pressure at a temperature of 250xF, or in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Autoclave packaging must be
used to sterilize needles, bars, tubes, and any other articles which may come into contact with blood or body fluids. Testing indicator strips for checking temperature must be used each time the autoclave is operated. After autoclaving, the package must be date marked and initialed by the tattooist. If the sterilized needle, bar or tube is not used within 60 days of the
sterilization date, the article must be resterilized before use;

(c) conduct quarterly biological monitoring for autoclave effectiveness using standard spore suspension units available for this purpose. A written record of quarterly reports must be maintained on the premises and be available for review and verification by the department or its authorized representative; (d) following sterilization, keep the needle sets and tubes in the
autoclave packaging. The packages may only be opened in full view of the client;

(e) sterilize, by autoclave sterilization, pen-style tattooing machines and the components intended for reuse; and

(f) use a new pair of disposable latex or vinyl examination gloves for each client.

(2) Any tattoo shop in existence in this state prior to the adoption of this rule which uses dry heat sterilization as its sterilization method may continue to use dry heat sterilization, instead of autoclave sterilization as required under (1)(b), for a period of 1 year after the adoption of this rule.

(History: Sec. 50-1-202, MCA; IMP, Sec. 50-1-202, MCA; NEW, 1998 MAR p. 967,
Eff. 4/17/98; TRANS, from DHES, 2001 MAR p. 2429.)

37.112.107 TATTOOING: UTENSILS AND SUPPLIES

(1) Needles and bars must be:

(a) either single use and disposable and discarded after one use or the needle portion must be detached from the bar and discarded after one use. The bar may be reused after attachment of a new needle and sterilization, in accordance with ARM 37.112.113; and

(b) of single use construction and discarded after one use.

(3) A durable tray must be maintained in the work room for the placement of used tweezers, tubes, bars and needles, and other articles which require autoclaving. Single use needles must be disposed of in a sharps disposal container after use. If needles are to be held for autoclaving, the tray on which the needles are placed must be puncture proof.

(4) The tattoo shop must maintain on its premises at all times the
following minimum supplies:

(a) one-half gallon of germicidal cleanser or tincture surgical soap;

(b) one-half gallon of 70% isopropyl alcohol;

(c) one-half gallon of distilled water;

(d) 18 sets of sterilized needles and bars per tattooist. For purposes of this requirement, one set of needles and bars consists of one liner needle soldered to a bar and one shader soldered to a bar;

(e) 18 sterile liner tubes per tattooist;

(f) 18 sterile shader tubes per tattooist;

(g) 300 disposable latex or vinyl examination gloves; and

(h) 500 single use ink cups.

(History: Sec. 50-1-202, MCA; IMP, Sec. 50-1-202, MCA; NEW, 1998 MAR p. 967,
Eff. 4/17/98; TRANS, from DHES, 2001 MAR p. 2429.)

For complete code click here

For assistance call and ask for
Andy, Miriam, Andrea, Joan, Shlomo,
Chuck, Ermani, James, or Alin
Email Us