Basic Ten

Originally drafted by the Association of Professional Piercers, the Basic Ten serves as a counterpoint to A Piercee's Bill of Rights, defining a minimum code of ethics and standards that all piercers must adhere to. It reads:

We have compiled a list of ten absolutely minimum basic standards which we believe all responsible piercers MUST follow to avoid disease transmission to themselves and their clientele. All information not included in this basic list is optional. Other information is worthy of being considered, weighed, and discussed, but these ten basic requirements are CRITICAL and must be implemented!! Please read each of these and hopefully you too will agree:

1. Ear piercing guns are not adequately sterilizable. I agree that because of this, and because they can cause serious, permanent damage to body parts other than earlobes, I agree not to use ear piercing guns in my practice.
2. I agree that all needles should be presterilized, used on one person, in one sitting, and immediately disposed of in a medical sharps container.
3. I agree that all forceps, tubes, etc. are presterilized, stored in sterile bags, and used on one person, in one sitting. After one such use, they must be autoclaved.
4. I agree that all reusable, nonsterilizable implements, such as calipers, should be nonporous and disinfected after each use with bleach solution or a commercial hard surface disenfectant liquid.
5. I agree that as many supplies as possible, including corks, rubber bands, etc. should be presterilized in an autoclave or cleaned with disinfecting liquids, stored in a clean, closed container, and disposed of immediately after a single use.
6. I agree that a new pair of latex gloves (sterile or nonsterile) should be worn for every procedure, and gloves should be changed whenever the slightest chance of Cross-contamination might occur.
7. I agree that the room used for piercings, as well as the bathroom and other common areas, should be kept scrupulously clean and disinfected frequently. All surfaces should be nonporous, to allow them to be cleaned with bleach solution or other disinfecting liquids whenever cross-contamination might occur.
8. I agree that all jewelry contaminated with only airborne pathogens (not previously worn or contaminated) should be disinfected with a non-hazardous hard-surface disinfectant such as (page does not exist) or (page does not exist). I agree that all jewelry contaminated or potentially contaminated with (page does not exist) (previously worn by another person) should be autoclaved.
9. I will only use appropriate jewelry in piercings.
10. I agree that it is important to be open, available, and not under the influence of legal or illegal substances which would compromise my abilities. I will seriously consider attending a one day Red Cross First Aid/CPR instruction course. I agree to meet or exceed all health, safety, and legal standards as required by my state and local authorities. I understand that it is important not to misrepresent myself, my abilities, or my standards in any way. I agree to consider all new health and safety suggestions as they become known to me, and to make appropriate changes in my techniques as applicable. I agree that it is the moral, ethical, and professional responsibility of all piercers to continue to seek out, absorb, and share health and safety information relevant to the craft throughout their career.

See Also

• Association of Professional Piercers
• A Piercee's Bill of Rights