Tattoo and piercing parlours given clean bill of health

Environmental Health officers have been working with the Health Protection Agency and other agencies to look at the effectiveness of sterilising practices and general hygiene standards.

Swabs were taken of sterilising equipment, instruments ready to use and client treatment areas with up to eight from each business.

Samples were then taken to a microbiological laboratory to determine if hygiene practices were adequate or not.

The samples were analysed for specific bacteria that can cause

infections to both clients and the operator such as E.coli and staphylococcus aureus.

Results form the laboratory indicated samples tested from all the premises were deemed satisfactory and acceptable when compared against the set guidelines.

Coun Cynthia Ransome, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and

customer/regulatory services, said: "I am pleased to see that all of the premises we tested are maintaining good standards of hygiene.

"The council's health and safety team are continuing to raise awareness amongst businesses that good hygiene is essential in reducing the risk of infections to their clients and themselves.

"Our environmental health officers work hard inspecting a wide range of businesses from tattoo parlours to takeaways to keep the public safe."

Further information and advice is available from the health and safety section on the Doncaster Council's website www.doncaster.gov.uk, from the Health and Safety Executive's website. www.hse.gov.uk or by calling 01302 737553.