The Times is doing a series of articles highlighting common laws and rules. Today, we examine Indiana's health regulations which govern tattoo parlors and body piercing facilities. To suggest a law for The Times to highlight, contact the writer.

Although Indiana law allows tattoo artists and body piercing workers to provide their services to adults and to children with a parent or guardian's permission, there are several state health regulations that workers are required to follow.

Porter County Health Department Administrator Keith Letta said his staff has been visiting the estimated 12 to 15 businesses in Porter County to make sure they are aware of the rules that govern them and to inspect their operations.

"We are quite pleased with most of them. Most of them are doing a pretty good job," Letta said.

The Indiana State Department of Health's tattoo and piercing rule states that facility operators must provide bloodborne pathogen training and infectious waste training to all tattoo artists and body piercers or other employees who are at risk for contact with blood or other infectious materials. Facility operators also required to make sure employees have and use personal protective equipment.

Facility operators must also develop a written policy the requires the use of universal precautions, requires disinfection or sterilization of reusable items, requires safe handling of infectious waste and provides punishment for violating the policy.

The tattoo artists, body piercers and other employees are required to complete bloodborne pathogen and infectious waste training. If there is a risk of contamination from blood or other infectious materials, they area also required to wear a protective layer of clothing, masks in combination with eye protection and disposable gloves.

Only single-use razors, single-use stencils, single-use articles for drawing onto the skin and single-use needles and dyes must be used. Reusable equipment must be sterilized or disinfected. Tattooing and body piercing can't be done in any rooms that serves as living quarters or that opens directly into living quarters. Animals are prohibited in work areas unless they are police dogs or guide dogs. Eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed in work areas.

Visit the Indiana State Department of Health Web site at www.in.gov/isdh/ and search the keyword tattoo for the complete text on the requirements. Complaints about a tattoo or piercing facility can be directed to the Health Department in the county in which the business is located.