A safety-first, self-paced theory programme for practitioners who might encounter blood or other potentially infectious materials. Designed around realistic studio decisions, not generic medical illustrations.
What you will learn
Recognise exposure hazards; select appropriate protective measures; set up clean work zones; handle single-use items, sharps and waste; distinguish cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation; and act promptly after an incident.
Full 10-module course outline
- Module 01 — Bloodborne pathogens explained. Pathogens, blood and other potentially infectious material, exposure versus infection, and workplace risk.
- Module 02 — Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. How each infection is transmitted, what vaccination can prevent, and myths that must not guide client care.
- Module 03 — Infection pathways and risk assessment. Identifying risks across setup, glove changes, procedures, cleanup and accidental sharps injuries.
- Module 04 — Standard precautions and hand hygiene. When to wash, how to avoid hand and glove contamination, and recognising a compromised skin barrier.
- Module 05 — PPE and cross-contamination. Selecting and removing protective equipment, environmental barriers, clean/dirty zoning, and touchpoints.
- Module 06 — Cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation. Keeping these processes distinct; following product contact time and device instructions; single-use versus reusable items.
- Module 07 — Sharps and contaminated waste. Safe handling, approved sharps containers, spill response, labelling and arranging compliant disposal.
- Module 08 — Procedure-specific studio safety. Tattoo, PMU, piercing and accidental skin-break scenarios in nail and beauty services.
- Module 09 — Needlestick and exposure response. Immediate action, prompt clinical assessment, incident reporting and follow-up; understanding time-sensitive HIV PEP.
- Module 10 — Workplace records and professional responsibilities. South African occupational-safety context, incident logs, studio checklists, exposure-control planning and ongoing updates.
Planned student resources
Printable, practical learning pack
- Professionally illustrated study manual and terminology guide (written review draft complete; visual review outstanding)
- Workstation setup and between-client reset checklist
- Sharps safety and cleaning/disinfection logs
- Exposure incident record and response-flow checklist
- Scenario-based worksheets for tattooing, PMU and beauty services
- 30-question final knowledge assessment (proposed 80% pass)
All files and the assessment require specialist accuracy review before publication.
Important response principle
Possible exposure to blood through a needle injury, broken skin or splash to eyes or mouth requires immediate first aid, workplace reporting and prompt medical evaluation. A healthcare professional determines whether follow-up testing, hepatitis B management or HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed. Where HIV PEP is indicated, it should begin as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after exposure.
Designed for multiple disciplines
Suitable as infection-control theory for tattoo artists, permanent makeup technicians, piercers, apprentices and beauty professionals whose procedures can break the skin. It does not teach or authorise the performance of invasive procedures.
Completion certificate
A named Fine Line Academy Certificate of Completion is planned for learners who pass the final assessment after the course, question bank and certificate process have undergone specialist review. Once the course is approved and released, certificates will have an individually verifiable reference and QR code, with a suggested 12-month refresher due date. The refresher date does not erase the record of original completion. This is not a government-accredited qualification, statutory licence or OSHA-approved certification.
South African practice references
The course development review includes the National Environmental Health Norms and Standards gazetted on 7 August 2026, covering tattoo pigment use and sharps waste disposal in beauty establishments. Municipal compliance remains studio-specific; this theory course is not a legal licence.
Reference standards and reading
- South African Department of Health — National Environmental Health Norms and Standards, 7 August 2026
- South African Government — Regulations for Hazardous Biological Agents
- OSHA — Bloodborne pathogens standard (US reference; not South African law)
- CDC — Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) information
- WHO — Hand hygiene principles