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'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."
LIST OF PIERCERS CURRENTLY OPERATING IN SHEFFIELD

Trading Name - Address - City Postcode

Blue Banana - 2 Orchard Square Sheffield S1 2FB
Beauty Spot On - 251 Fox Hill Road Sheffield S6 1HG
Cyclone Tattoo - 561 Attercliffe Road Sheffield S9 3RA
Diva Beauty - 166 The Common, Ecclesfield Sheffield S35 9WN
Dragon Tattoos & Piercing - 1 Woodhouse Road Sheffield S12 2AY
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
Ink & Steel - 125a Hartley Brook Road Sheffield S5 0AW
Lab 13 489 - Pitsmoor Road Sheffield S3 9AT
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
Stiletto - 440 Firth Park Road Sheffield S5 6HH
Thou Art - 47 Chapel Walk Sheffield S1 2PD
Van Schaicks - 1 Wadsley Lane Sheffield S6 4EA
Your Bard - Castle Markets  Sheffield S3

List produced by SCC on 18/2/2009
Michelle Garrigan is an Enviromental Health Officer for the Health Protection
Service. Michelle has been working closely with us over the last four years.
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