Hygiene & Infection Control Standards

Accreditations & Recognised Standards

Our hygiene and infection control standards are independently recognised by:

• Tattoo Safe, the UK's leading body for safe practice in tattooing and body art. Recognition requires a provider to demonstrate that training meets defined standards for hygiene, sterilisation, and infection prevention.
• Pierce Safe, accreditation covering all skin-penetrating procedures, confirming our safety protocols extend beyond tattooing to all relevant live model sessions.
• IPC Level 2 (Infection Prevention & Control Level 2), a nationally recognised qualification taught as part of our 10-Day Complete Beginner Course, mapped to the requirements of the UK infection control framework for regulated skin procedures.

Needle Policy

All needles used in training at Fine Line Tattoo Academy are single-use, factory-sealed, and sterile. This applies to all sessions, practice skin work, and live model tattooing.

• No needle is used more than once under any circumstances
• All needles are disposed of immediately after use into approved sharps containers (UN3291 compliant, rigid, puncture-resistant)
• Sharps containers are sealed and collected for clinical waste disposal by an approved contractor: they are never emptied, reused, or placed in general waste
• Instructors supervise all needle handling and disposal during live sessions

Surface Sterilisation & Equipment Decontamination

All non-disposable surfaces and equipment are decontaminated using hospital-grade disinfectant solutions before and after each student session.

• Workstations are wiped down with EN14476-compliant viricidal disinfectant before each student begins
• Tattoo machines, grips, and reusable equipment are cleaned and sterilised between uses using validated sterilisation methods
• Disposable barriers (cling film, machine sleeve covers, tray covers) are applied before each session and discarded immediately afterwards
• Any equipment that cannot be sterilised to clinical standards is single-use by policy

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All instructors and students working with live models are required to wear appropriate PPE for the duration of the session.

• Nitrile gloves are mandatory for all tattooing, no exceptions. Latex gloves are not used due to allergy risk.
• Gloves are changed immediately if torn, contaminated, or if the student stops tattooing for any reason
• Appropriate facial protection is available and used where cross-contamination risk is elevated
• Students are trained in correct glove donning and doffing technique as part of the course curriculum

Skin Preparation Protocol

Proper skin preparation reduces the risk of infection at the tattoo site and protects both the client and the artist.

• Skin is cleaned with a suitable skin-safe antiseptic solution before any tattooing begins
• The tattoo area is kept clean and protected from cross-contamination throughout the session
• Any pre-existing skin conditions, open wounds, or inflammation in the tattoo area result in the session being postponed: no exceptions
• Aftercare instructions are provided verbally and in writing to all live models following their session

Cross-Contamination Prevention

Cross-contamination (the transfer of pathogens from contaminated surfaces, equipment, or persons to clean areas) is one of the most significant preventable risks in tattooing. Our protocols address all known vectors.

• The "contaminated zone" principle is taught and enforced: once gloved, nothing in the clean zone is touched without changing gloves first
• Ink caps are single-use, pre-poured amounts are discarded after each session, never returned to the original bottle
• Razors used for skin preparation are single-use and disposed of in sharps containers immediately after use
• Green soap and other liquids are dispensed in single-use amounts, bottles are never used cross-session without cleaning the tip
• Student stations are separated to prevent cross-contamination between workspaces during live sessions

Waste Disposal

Clinical and non-clinical waste generated during training is separated, contained, and disposed of in compliance with the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 (England and Wales) and equivalent Scottish and Irish legislation.

• Sharps waste: UN3291 sharps containers, sealed on-site and collected by an approved clinical waste contractor
• Clinical soft waste (contaminated wipes, gloves, ink caps): yellow clinical waste bags, collected by approved contractor
• Non-clinical waste: standard waste stream
• Waste containers are checked and replaced before each training day, containers are never overfilled

Student Responsibilities

Our standards apply equally to instructors and students. All students agree to comply with these protocols upon booking. Failure to comply with hygiene and infection control standards during training may result in removal from a live model session.

• Students must not attend training if they have an active infection, illness with fever, or open skin lesions
• Students must wash hands and use hand sanitiser before donning gloves and after removing them
• Students must follow instructor direction on all hygiene matters during live sessions without exception
• Students who have questions about any protocol are encouraged to ask, understanding the why behind each procedure is part of the training

IPC Level 2 Infection Prevention & Control Framework

The 10-Day Complete Beginner Course includes the full IPC Level 2 certification, mapped to the national Infection Prevention and Control framework. Topics covered include:

• The chain of infection, understanding how pathogens are transmitted and how to break the chain
• Hand hygiene, the most effective single measure in infection prevention
• Standard precautions, universal protocols that apply regardless of the client's infection status
• Bloodborne pathogen exposure, what to do in the event of a needlestick injury or blood exposure incident
• Legislation, the legal framework governing infection control in regulated skin procedures in England, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland
• Client consultation and contraindication screening, identifying clients for whom tattooing carries elevated infection risk

Students who complete the 10-Day Course receive their IPC Level 2 certificate, which is accepted by local authority licensing bodies across England and Wales and by Environmental Health Officers in the Republic of Ireland as evidence of formal infection control training.