In regards to the hand washing of employees performing tattooing, cosmetic tattooing and body piercing.
This constitutes OSHA’s interpretation only of the requirements discussed and may not be applicable to any question not delineated within the original correspondence.
Paragraph (d)(2)(v) of the standard required employers to ensure employees wash their hands immediately or as soon as feasible after removal of gloves. There is no requirement in OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens standard for employees to wash before donning gloves. However, as you indicate, washing hands will aid in preventing infection of a patient or customer in the event a glove is torn during invasive procedures. Nevertheless, the Occupational Safety and Health Act 01 1970 deals only with the safety and health of employees, not customers. However, the Act does not prohibit you from also instructing employees about precautions to protect customers.
