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Blackpool Body piercing Clinic 'pierced without electric' 'Infection risk' at Blackpool Body Piercing Clinic
(35 minutes later)
Up to 200 customers at a Blackpool body piercing clinic operated without electricity could be at risk of infection, Blackpool Council have said. Up to 200 customers of a body piercing shop which had its electricity disconnected in August could be at risk of infection, council officials say.
The authority believes Blackpool Body Piercing Clinic on Springfield Road was disconnected in August. Blackpool Council urged anyone who had used the Blackpool Body Piercing Clinic in Springfield Road in the past two months to get a health check.
Blackpool Council is concerned about the risk of infection to any customers pierced since power was disconnected and urged them to get a health check. It said electricity was needed to power an autoclave device to sterilise piercing tools and jewellery.
Blackpool Body Piercing Clinic has yet to comment.Blackpool Body Piercing Clinic has yet to comment.
However, the British Body Piercing Association (BBPA) said it was possible for piercers to work without an autoclave and avoid the need for electricity.
'Proactive approach''Proactive approach'
The authority believes the number of customers pierced is fewer than 200 but said there was no way of knowing the exact number until people come forward. The authority said it believed the number of customers pierced was less than 200 but there was no way of knowing the exact total until people came forward.
Blackpool Council said it issued a prohibition notice to owner James Woods under the Health and Safety at Work Act ordering him to stop work until an electricity supply was reconnected. Blackpool Council said it issued a notice to owner James Woods under the Health And Safety At Work Act ordering him to stop work until an electricity supply was reconnected.
This is because electricity is needed to use an autoclave which sterilises the piercing tools and jewellery, killing all bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, said the authority. It said that was because the electricity was needed to power an autoclave, which sterilises the piercing tools and jewellery to kill all bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores.
The owner was also ordered to "thoroughly clean" the piercing rooms and arrange for a re-inspection of the premises prior to reopening.The owner was also ordered to "thoroughly clean" the piercing rooms and arrange for a re-inspection of the premises prior to reopening.
However, the council said there was reason to believe the owner continued to do piercings. However, the council said it believed the owner continued to carry out piercings.
Enforcement action
Dr Arif Rajpura, Blackpool Council's director of public health, said: "As a result of these concerns we believe there may be a risk of infection to those people who have been pierced since the disconnection on 13 August.Dr Arif Rajpura, Blackpool Council's director of public health, said: "As a result of these concerns we believe there may be a risk of infection to those people who have been pierced since the disconnection on 13 August.
"I would stress this is a precautionary measure, however, it is important that people heed this advice and take a proactive approach to looking after their health.""I would stress this is a precautionary measure, however, it is important that people heed this advice and take a proactive approach to looking after their health."
He is urging anyone affected to call 01257 246491 for a consultation with Public Health England who will then refer them to their doctor. He urged anyone affected to contact Public Health England which will then refer them to their doctor.
The council said it is now pursuing enforcement action against the owner. The council said it was now pursuing enforcement action against the owner.
The British Body Piercing Association (BBPA) said it was possible for piercers to work without an autoclave and avoid the need for electricity. Keith Fakenbridge, the founder of the BBPA, refused to comment on this case but said providing there was enough light, piercers could use single-use disposable needles, disposable clamps and pre-sterilised jewellery.
The founder of BBPA, Keith Fakenbridge, said he could not comment on this individual case but said providing there was enough light, piercers could use single-use disposable needles, disposable clamps and pre-sterilised jewellery and gas could be used to heat water. He said gas could be used to heat water.
He said: "Of course the piercing area would still need to be kept sterile using antibacterial sprays, bleach, disposing of tissues, clamps and gloves into a bio hazard waste bin and the needle placed into a sharps box but you do not need electricity for that." Mr Fakenbridge added: "Of course the piercing area would still need to be kept sterile using antibacterial sprays, bleach, disposing of tissues, clamps and gloves into a biohazard waste bin and the needle placed into a sharps box but you do not need electricity for that."