National
Assembly for Wales / Cynulliad Cenedlaethol
Cymru
Health
and Social Care Committee/
Y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol
Public Health (Wales) Bill / Bil Iechyd y Cyhoedd (Cymru)
Evidence from British Body Piercing Association – PHB 08 / Tystiolaeth gan Cymdeithas Prydain ar gyfer Tyllu’r Corff – PHB 08
Public Health (Wales) Bill: Consultation questions
Special Procedures
The Bill includes a proposal to create a compulsory licensing system for people who carry out special procedures in Wales. These special procedures are tattooing, body piercing, acupuncture and electrolysis. The places where these special procedures are carried out will also need to be approved.
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What are your views on creating a compulsory, national licensing system for practitioners of specified special procedures in Wales, and that the premises or vehicle from which the practitioners operate must be approved? |
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The British Body Piercing Association has set in place codes of practice and ethics which all members have adopted and use these in their work place. (please find attached) We have the most up to date training and follow the guide lines set by local boroughs. Body piercers need to be more regulated within their premises and have a recognised body in which they can rely on for support and further training. |
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Do you agree with the types of special procedures defined in the Bill? |
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Yes, all of these areas of work are those of great skill and performed incorrectly can result in emergency medical treatment. Which in turn has consequences? The ability of the body piercer is defined not only by the teachings of the body piercer but confidence and ongoing support. |
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What are your views on the provision which gives Welsh Ministers the power to amend the list of special procedures through secondary legislation? |
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By being able to amend current special procedures and aim to put in place newer protocol fits with keeping in with what consumers want. They want to know the best place to have a body piercing, and to know that the studio is certified.
Body piercing is something that has been used for years and does hold a rite of passage to not be regulated, but a huge percentage of body piercers do no withhold a basic understanding of body piercing. By bringing a standard of body piercing there would be far lesser impact on consumers not achieving the desired outcome and incounter problems.
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Question 10
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Do you have any views on whether enforcing the licensing system would result in any particular difficulties for local authorities? |
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By enforcing new licensing systems it brings the industry to a professional standing, Currently there are two candidates that have been working within the body piercing industry outside of EHO, TPIU and The Association of Professional Piercers, (APP) neither of these organisation warrant the merit of the body piercer you can simply fill in a form and make a payment, The memberships are not built to aid the body piercer.
By bringing new regulations that are within a workable ability for piercing professionals I believe this will only impact in a positive light. Local authorities should be able to rely on potential training and associations to give help and guidance, but also be able to liaise with local business to keep them up to date with new requirements.
By having more understand of the job that a body piercer does I believe will help to encourage people to want to push forward and become the industry recognised people they are.
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Intimate piercings
The Bill includes a proposal to ban intimate body piercings for anyone under the age of 16 in Wales.
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Do you believe an age restriction is required for intimate body piercing? What are your views on prohibiting the intimate piercing of anyone under the age of 16 in Wales? |
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The use of age restrictions is something that needs to come in to affect more, especially with in intimate areas of the body. The BBPA do use an age restriction within the codes of practices and ethics, Which is highly regarded with in the studios of our members. Prohibiting intimate piercings for under the age of 16 will give moral standing. Being able to allow a parent or guardian to stand guardian of the person I feel will be adequately sufficient for above the waist piercings. Female’s nipples should be considered for piercing over 18 only. However anything below the waist I believe should only be in performed by someone who has adequate knowledge of the anatomy of the genitals and has had further training with in this specific area and should not be performed on anyone under the age of 18.
Actively working with the in industry allows me to be in constant communication with piercers and pierce’es on average the majority of under 16’s are already aware that they will need a parent or guardian to be present when having their piercing performed. |
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Do you agree with the list of intimate body parts defined in the Bill? Whether any other types of piercings (for example naval piercing, tongue piercing) should be prohibited on young people under the age of 16. |
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Yes, in my opinion the list is correct. I believe that the environment that the intimate piecing is taking place should be performed in a stricter platform. An utilised area which can be designated to the use of genital piercings only.
Their also needs to be more information and advise based around these piercing for the general public.
The basis of body piercing is training and consultation, the tool book creates a really good basis to go forward with however it does not promote the ability’s of the body piercer.
Weather a body piercer is piercing an ear, an belly button or a nipple the client knows they will have to be contact made in that particular area.
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Other comments
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Do you believe that the issues included in this Bill reflect the priorities for improving public health in Wales? |
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Yes. There is a huge potential to be able to create an better environment for every one today. |