Being a tattoo artist means you have to be responsible for yourself, your client and other people working in the same area as you. Being educated on Bloodborne Pathogens is a vital element in providing a safe working environment, and being professional.

As a professional tattoo studio, Flame Wise Ink requires every member of the studio to complete a course on Bloodborne Pathogens by Worksite Safety, and successfully complete an exam that comes with it. After the exam, you will be provided with a certificate with your name and date of completion.

Tattoo Artists (Tattooists) at risk of coming in contact with their clients’ blood. They are at risk for exposure to:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV).
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV).
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Exposure can occur:

• During the set-up, procedure, breakdown, and clean-up stages.
• Through needlesticks, contact with dried blood on equipment or surfaces, or blood splashes in the eyes, nose or mouth.

What are Bloodborne Pathogens?

Bloodborne pathogens are — technically speaking — microorganisms that are present and can be transmitted in human blood that can cause disease in humans. So, this means anybody who is involved in an accident or who has close contact with someone who has an open sore can be exposed to a bloodborne pathogen.

Examples of Bloodborne Pathogens

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

• A bloodborne pathogen that attacks the immune system.
• Many people can go years before showing any symptoms. Symptoms of HIV can include
  • Weakness.
  • Fever.
  • Sore throat.
  • Nausea.
  • Headaches.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Some forms of cancer.
• HIV eventually may lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and the breakdown of the immune system.
• People can live with HIV for years before experiencing symptoms.
• Over 200 out of every 100,000 people in Canada are living with HIV.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

• The most common form of hepatitis; a liver disease that initially causes inflammation of the liver; and
• Frequently leads to more serious conditions, including cirrhosis and liver cancer
• Less than one percent of Canadians are infected with HBV, and about half of people infected do not develop any symptoms until their liver is already damaged.