Skin Penetration and Hairdressing
Skin Penetration
Skin penetration procedures are procedures which involve either the skin or mucous membrane of a person being cut, punctured or torn. This includes tattooing, branding, cosmetic tattooing (including feathertouch brows), body piercing, acupuncture, scarification, dermal anchors and three dimensional art, and body modifications. Some beauty therapies, such as waxing, shaving, tweezing and electrolysis are also considered skin penetration procedures.
All practitioners and the premises in which these procedures are undertaken must comply with the Health (Skin Penetration Procedure) Regulations 1998 (the Regulations) and the Code of Practice for Skin Penetration Procedures (the Code) to ensure the highest standard of infection control is achieved. The Regulations require that the owner of an establishment must notify the Town prior to construction, fit out or operation of a skin penetration premise and must also ensure the establishment and procedures comply with the Code.
The Code specifies the minimum standards that must be adhered to in order to minimise the spread of infectious disease. It provides for specific measures that must be implemented in regards to hand washing, the use of personal protective equipment or clothing, and the handling and disposal of sharps and other contaminated materials.
The Town's Environmental Health Officers may periodically inspect Skin Penetration establishments to confirm that these health and hygiene standards are being followed.
Hairdressing and Barbers
Hairdressing establishments are required to comply with the Hairdressing Establishment Regulations 1972. These regulations provide the minimum requirements for health and hygiene standards that must be adhered to in order to minimise the risk for the spread of infectious diseases. The Town's Environmental Health Officers may periodically inspect hairdressing establishments to confirm that these health and hygiene standards are being followed.
Please note that the Hairdressing Establishment Regulations 1972 are currently under review, and may be repealed and replaced with the Public Health Guideline for the Hairdressing and Barber Industry.
For more information on this, please visit the Department of Health website.
Application Process
Any skin penetration or hairdressing business that wishes to operate within the Town of Cambridge requires initial consultation to be sought from the Town's Planning and Building Departments, and where necessary lodging an application for planning or building approval. Please contact the respective Departments on 9347 6000 or email mail@cambridge.wa.gov.au
Once Planning and Building approval is obtained (if required), a Notification of Skin Penetration Procedure Establishment form(PDF, 78KB) is to be completed. Approval of the application from the Town's Environmental Health Services is required before the commencement of operations.
Completed forms can be returned via the following options:
In-person: 1 Bold Park Drive Floreat WA 6014
Post: PO Box 15 Floreat WA 6014
Email: mail@cambridge.wa.gov.au
Fax: (08) 9347 6060