healthprotection

After many meetings and discussions we have produced what I think is a valuable
resource leaflet to inform people of the potential dangers of having a piercing.
As a local authority the Health Protection Service is responsible for enforcing the law in many
premises including body-piercing studios. Back in 1999 we noticed an increase in the number
of body piercing studios opening up in Sheffield, and, because of the legislation they
didn’t have to register with the council. We campaigned to the Department of Health for a
change in the legislation and also decided to bring in a voluntary registration scheme
so we could have some control over the industry and try and raise the standards.
It is only now due to the hard work of Christina and the campaigning by MP Meg Munn
that the law has changed and all piercing studios in Sheffield now have
to register with the council and abide by a set of byelaws.

In Sheffield body piercing studios are inspected every 12-18 months to ensure that they are
operating in a safe and hygienic way. If they are not we have a number of options open to us.
For a minor contravention we can serve a notice requiring work to be carried out in a specified time,
where there is a risk of serious personal injury we can serve a notice prohibiting that activity.
We also have the power to prosecute studios for a breach of health and safety legislation.
If anyone is considering having a piercing I would advise them to check out the list of known
piercers on the council and Dan Aid web site. You can also ask to see the last inspection record
from any piercing studio in Sheffield. This information is available under The Freedom of Information Act
and by having this information it may help you decide which piercer to go to.
Should anyone have a complaint about any studio in Sheffield get in touch with the
Health Protection Service and we will look into all complaints.

Even though we have produced this fantastic leaflet we still have a long way to go.
The Health Protection Service will be working closely with MP Meg Munn to campaign for a further change
to the legislation to bring in a recognised training qualification and a licensing scheme for body piercers.

Michelle Garrigan
Enviromental Health Officer, Sheffield City Council

Michelle Garrigan is an Enviromental Health Officer for the HPS,
she has been working closely with us over the last 12mths.
The responsibility of the HPS is to enforce the law and to make sure that all
body piercers are registered with the local council and operating accordingly.
Sheffield adopted the new Bylaw on the 1st June 2007

LIST OF BODY PIERCERS CURRENTLY OPERATING IN SHEFFIELD

Trading Name Address
Cyclone Tattoo 561 Attercliffe Road, Sheffield, S9 3RA
Diva Beauty 166 The Common, Ecclesfield, Sheffield, S35 9WN
Dragon Tattoo 49a Mansfield Road, Sheffield, S12 2AG
Eternal Ink 272 Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HS
Feline Tattoo 8 Hickmott Road, Sheffield, S11 8QF
Flash o’ Colour 12 Station Road, Chapeltown, Sheffield, S35 2XH
Lab 13 424a Pitsmoor Road, Sheffield, S3 9AY
Lib r8 46a West Street, Beighton, Sheffield, S20 1EP
Mr Personality 776 Chesterfield Road, Sheffield, S8 0SF
Red Monkey 46 Daniel Hill, Sheffield, S6 3JF
Short Cutz 132 Northern Avenue, Sheffield, S2 2EH
Steel City Tattoo 84 London Road, Sheffield, S2 4LR
Thou Art 47 Chapel Walk, Sheffield, S1 2PD
Van Schaicks 1 Wadsley Lane, Sheffield, S6 4EA
Van Schaicks 131 West Bar, Sheffield, S3 8PT
Your Bard Castle Markets, Sheffield, S3

List produced on Wednesday 24/01/2007

Michelle's Words

"It has been an invaluable experience to have been a part
of the Check it Out body piercing campaign.
This shows how partnership working can be successful
by bringing together people with expertise
in different areas including the council
the body piercing industry and Dan Aid."

WOW!
We are very pleased to announce that our petition was handed over to the
Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Tuesday 24th June 2008
requesting him to urge all local Health Authorities to implement the
new Bylaw to help regulate the body piercing industry.
Our total signature count is
3,946
A very special THANK YOU to everyone who signed our petition