Officials close ‘unsanitary’ home-based tattoo shop

Anyone tattooed at Hornets Nest Tattoo should be tested for viruses, Alberta Health Services warned Friday after ordering the home-based business to close in mid-February due to unsanitary conditions.

“This particular home-based tattoo operation did not have these proper sterilization or sanitation processes in place, meaning individuals who received tattoos through this operation may have been exposed to viruses including hepatitis B and C, and HIV,” Alberta Health Services said in a news release Friday morning.

The business, which operated from unit 106, 10140 156 St. in the Britannia-Youngstown neighbourhood, was closed on Feb. 19.

Anyone inked at Hornets Nest Tattoo or by the operator, William (Liam) Davis, should contact their doctor to be tested, AHS said. Anyone with concerns can also contact Health Link at 811.

Hornets Nest Tattoo is barred from reopening or offering tattoos until all problems have been corrected.

The public health closure order posted online said the violations included: no dedicated sinks for hand washing or cleaning reusable equipment; inappropriate flooring (carpet throughout, which did not allow for a sanitary tattoo space); no evidence that client names and contact information was recorded and maintained for at least two years, as required; and a failure to follow procedures to make sure tattoo equipment was sterile. The stove top pressure cooker-style autoclave had no temperature gauge and there was no sign of sterilization log books, according to the order.

AHS’ order also said the business owner attempted to obstruct health officers from their unannounced inspection.

“It is the responsibility of all tattoo facility operators — whether residential or otherwise — to ensure all regulations are met and operations are compliant,” Dr. Shobhit Maruti, medical officer of health for AHS’ Edmonton zone, said in the news release. “This applies not only before opening a tattoo operation but also while operating, always.”

Tattoo and piercing operations are supposed to be routinely inspected by health officials. Customers can call AHS’ environmental public health branch at 780-735-1800 to ask for a facility’s more current health inspection report.