18th July 2008
Sheffield City Council has the chance to influence and improve the standards of piercing and tattooing across the industry as a result of an agreement signed this week.
It signed a lead authority partnership scheme with the Tattooing and Piercing Industry Union at the Chapel Walk studio of TPI president Graham Martin.
Michelle Garrigan, chartered EHP, said it would give the council an influence on how the industry operates.
Sheffield Council was one of the first to adopt by-laws requiring body piercing and tattoo studios to be regulated by the local council.
The council and the TPI have been working for a year on a campaign aimed at young people and their carers to highlight the potential dangers from body piercing.
Ian Ashmore, head of environmental regulation, said: ‘Tattooing and piercing are ever more popular but we know that poorly run tattooists can cause health problems. There are many examples of good practice so by working with the industry we hope to reduce health risks.’
A recent study by the Health Protection Agency and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine revealed that more than a quarter of people experienced complications after body piercing.
Half sought help from a GP, pharmacist or piercer. The most common problems were swelling, infection and bleeding.
Doctors have also warned the increase in self-piercing and unregulated home amateur piercing may lead to an infection epidemic.
Under the partnership scheme a partnership is formed between a local authority and a business or organisation with multiple outlets across the country or a national membership. The authority works closely with the organisation to help develop and improve its health and safety arrangements and the guidance and advice it promotes through its membership.