Overview
The City of Canada Bay's Skin Penetration Surveillance Strategy is aimed at ensuring procedures that penetrate the skin are undertaken in a safe and hygienic manner.
Skin that is intact, without cuts, abrasions or lesions, is a natural protective barrier against infection. Penetrating the skin can introduce infective micro-organisms into the body. Infection can occur if equipment that pierces, punctures or penetrates the skin is contaminated, or can occur from direct person to person contact with blood or other body substances. The use of infection control techniques for skin penetration procedures minimises the introduction of infective micro-organisms into the body.
Unhygienic practices and procedures may affect the health of both the client and the operator. Where procedures involving skin penetration are not managed correctly, they have the potential to transmit bacterial and fungal infections, as well as viral infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Skin infections can also occur without breaking the skin. For this reason all equipment must be cleaned between each client to eliminate the potential to spread infection. Equipment used in a procedure that does not penetrate the skin, but comes in contact with the skin can spread staphylococcal, streptococcal and pseudomonal infections, all of which are bacterial infections. Other types of skin infections can include herpes (a viral infection), ringworm or tinea (fungal infections), scabies (a form of mite infection).
Skin penetration procedures include:
- Acupuncture
- Tattooing
- Ear piercing and body piercing
- Hair removal (with wax or electrolysis)
- Colonic Lavage
- Cosmetic enhancement or semi permanent/permanent makeup
- Any other procedure that involves the deliberate penetration of the skin.
Procedures carried out by barbers and hairdressers, where skin penetration is not intended are not considered to be skin penetration procedures. Likewise, procedures carried out in the practice of a registered medical practitioner, dentist, chiropractor, osteopath, dental technician, nurse, optical dispenser, optometrist, pharmacy, physiotherapist, podiatrist, psychologist or any procedure carried out by a person under the direction or supervision of such a professional where the procedure is carried out as part of that professional practice.
All businesses undertaking such procedures must be registered with Council for regular inspection.
In the event that a business undertaking a skin penetration procedure is not being maintained in accordance with the legislative requirements of the Public Health Act 1991 and Public Health (Skin Penetration) Regulation 2000, Council's officers may use a range of powers to enforce compliance.
Council's Environmental Health Officers are available to offer professional advice and instruction on skin penetration legislation to proprietors of such businesses, staff and the general public.
Should you require any further information please contact Council's Environmental Health Officers on 9911 6555 or go to the NSW Health website and view their Guidelines and Codes of Best Practice.
For additional information please view the Skin Penetration folder in both the Forms and Fact Sheets categories on our Council Forms web pages.