18 AAC 23.360. Ear piercing procedures

(a) Unless an individual is licensed by the board to perform body piercing, an individual performing an ear piercing procedure must use an ear piercing instrument. The ear piercing instrument

(1) may not be used for piercing any part of the body other than the ear lobe or trailing edge of the ear; and

(2) must be made of plastic, stainless steel, or another material that can be disinfected.

(b) The owner or operator of a business that offers ear piercing services shall ensure that

(1) an individual performing an ear piercing procedure maintains a high degree of personal cleanliness, conforms to good hygienic practices, and wears clean outer clothing when performing an ear piercing procedure;

(2) before performing an ear piercing procedure, an individual performing the procedure

(A) thoroughly washes that individual's hands in hot running water using liquid soap;

(B) rinses that individual's hands using hot running water; and

(C) dries that individual's hands using clean disposable paper towels; a waterless hand cleansing agent may be used if handsinks are not readily available; if a waterless hand cleansing agent is used, it must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions;

(3) an individual performing an ear piercing procedure wears disposable gloves on both hands before proceeding with any ear piercing; gloves must be disposed of after use on each client and may not be reused; and

(4) an individual performing an ear piercing procedure cleans and disinfects the entire area of the clasp retainer and all parts of the ear piercing instrument in direct contact with the client's skin using alcohol or a sanitizer recommended by the manufacturer of the ear piercing instrument.

(1) ensure that any new or disinfected ear piercing instrument and tools are stored separately from any used or soiled tools or other instruments;

(2) establish written procedures that are available to the department for review that ensure that an individual performing an ear piercing procedure is adequately trained to use, clean, sanitize, and store the ear piercing instrument properly in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations;

(3) maintain a file that is available for department review that documents the training described in (2) of this subsection including the name of the trainer, the name of the employee, and the content of the training program for a period of three years after the date of the training;

(4) establish written policies and procedures that are available for department review for the management of employees, practitioners, or clients who have latex allergies; and

(5) retain on the premises and have available for department review any manufacturer's recommendations or instructions for all equipment, supplies, and products used to provide ear piercing services.

History: Eff. 12/1/2002, Register 164

Authority: AS 08.13.030

AS 08.13.120

AS 08.13.210

AS 44.46.020

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