When we think of dangerous jobs, we often think about men and women that are up on high platforms working construction, or the people who work offshore on oil rigs in the stormy seas. Yet the job of a tattoo artist can be just as harmful and fatal as these other high-intensity occupations. Tattoo artists are constantly exposed to their client’s blood when they are doing their work. If their customer is diseased, they could catch hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or human immunodeficiency virus as a result. These viruses can be dangerous and in some circumstances they can even be fatal. They are contagious when another human absorbs the viruses into their bloodstream, so you could also get your family sick if you carry the virus home with you. Some of these illnesses are permanent. While they can be regulated by infection, they can’t be eliminated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that tattoo artists are typically exposed to blood borne viruses during the set-up procedure, or break down and clean up stages after the tattoo has been created. This is because this is when the artist is most likely to wipe up any blood off of the tools or furniture. There may be dried blood on the equipment. If a client’s blood splashes in the artist’s eyes, mouth or nose it can be absorbed into the blood stream. This can bring on any illnesses that that man or woman had. The CDC says that some of these problems can be eliminated by merely keeping a clean shop and using safe work practice. When an atmosphere is professional, it eliminates the danger of exposure.

If you are a tattoo artist, the CDC suggests that you get vaccinated from hepatitis B. Unfortunately, there are no vaccinations that can protect you from HIV or hepatitis C, but by vaccinating yourself for one illness you may be able to develop a stronger immune system and ward off other illnesses as well. Hepatitis B is one blood borne pathogen that strikes when blood from one person gets into the body of another person who is not infected. If you are stuck with a needle that has not been disinfected properly, then this can bring on the possibility of one of these illnesses. Even if you are not a tattoo artist, but simply want to get inked yourself, the CDC recommends that you obtain a hepatitis B virus. Make sure that you choose a tattoo parlor that has high recommendations and is known for its cleanliness.

Only 70 percent of all people who are infected with hepatitis B even experience the symptoms that come with the illness. Unfortunately, the illness can slowly scar the liver, which can lead to death. Employees who work at tattoo parlors are strongly advised to get this vaccination by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. That’s why the OSHA has made the vaccination free for anyone who works in this environment. If you are a tattoo artist and turn down the vaccination, you will have to sign a declination form.

You may also need to receive a post-exposure evaluation and a follow-up. This is because some parlor owners will be able to defend themselves against a lawsuit if they can prove that you chose not to take the vaccination that could have prevented the illness. If you are a tattoo artist and are exposed to blood at any point while working, you need to notify your shop owner and immediately seek medical attention. You may need treatment to remove the possibility of catching a dangerous disease. If you are a customer at a tattoo parlor, you have the right to sue if you are given a needlestick injury or if the equipment used to create your tattoo was not properly sanitized. The CDC says that all disposable piercing needles, tattoo needles and razors must be discarded into a sharps disposable container right after use.

The sharps disposal containers have to be somewhere easy to reach, so that artists can safely get rid of the items right away. When the containers become full, it is essential that they are emptied. The container must be clearly marked with a bright red label. If you ever see a tattoo artist pull a needle out of the sharps container, then you should notify the authorities immediately. Also, if your tattoo artist touches the needle with bare hands frequently, you may want to confront him or her about this. Touching the needles isn’t considered sanitary. Every tattoo parlor should have an exposure control plan to eliminate the spread of diseases among clients and workers. If you have contracted a disease due to an unsanitary tattoo parlor, or have received an infection, then talk to a personal injury today for more information about seeking compensation. Whether you are an ill employee or an injured customer, you have the right to seek damages for your suffering!