A South Surrey tattoo parlour is the subject of a Fraser Health public-safety advisory.
In a news release issued this morning, the health authority is recommending clients of Theatre of Pain Custom Tattoos and Airbrushing – at 26-15531 24 Ave. – who received services between June and August see a doctor, following an inspection in which the facility “was found to have inadequate equipment for hygienic operation and lacked sanitary procedures for safe handling of tattooing materials.”
“Based on the results of this inspection, there may be an increased risk to clients for acquiring bacterial skin infections or other infectious diseases,” Fraser Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Michelle Murti states in the release.
But David Laidlaw – owner of hoped-to-be-relocated Theatre of Pain – said the advisory is baseless.
“They’re coming after me with no proof, absolutely no proof at all,” Laidlaw told Peace Arch News Thursday, noting the advisory grew out of his refusal to install a sink in his “100 per cent disposable” shop.
He said he also refused to provide the health authority with a client list, citing privacy.
Because of the disagreement during a June inspection, “this kid (inspector) never wrote his report,” Laidlaw said.
Laidlaw described the advisory as “defamation of character and slander.”
“I’m clean, everything around me’s clean… Show me one medically documented complaint against me or my company (and) I’ll give you all my waivers.”
Laidlaw, a Langley resident, said he closed the parlour a month ago because it was in a bad location and wasn’t making money.
He is currently looking for a new location, but said the advisory is “going to shoot me in the foot before I get there.”
The notice does not say when the inspection took place, or if any clients have reported infections as a result of visiting Theatre of Pain.
According to the www.theatreofpain.ca website, its mission statement is to “keep an open mind to innovative modifications and techniques. We hold strong on the importance of keeping a comfortable environment, while also maintaining a wide variety of artistic styles.”
For those who use or are planning to use any personal-service establishments, information on things to look out for to ensure health and safety may be found at www.fraserhealth.ca/personalservice
