what are the 4 safety critical questions sssts

What Are the 4 Safety Critical Questions (SSSTS)?

Health and safety might not be the most glamorous topic on the tattoo studio floor, but let’s be honest—it’s the backbone of everything we do. Whether you’re dropping a fine-line mandala, setting up a scaffold piercing, or prepping the laser for a session, the decisions you make are only as good as the safety behind them. That’s where the SSSTS framework comes in, and more specifically, the four safety critical questions it encourages every site or studio to live by.

Originally rooted in construction and trade environments, the SSSTS (Site Supervisors’ Safety Training Scheme) has been adopted in other industries where risk is high and responsibility matters. In the context of a tattoo or body modification studio, these questions offer a brilliant way to reinforce accountability, planning and awareness—on both an individual and team level.

Why These Questions Matter in a Tattoo Studio

While we might not be dealing with scaffolding or cement mixers, we are working with needles, open skin, bodily fluids, potential allergens and high-powered equipment. Every single procedure carries an element of risk not just to clients, but to artists, piercers, front-of-house staff and even walk-ins. The four safety critical questions provide a moment to pause, think and act responsibly before anything begins.

They’re often used by team leads or supervisors, but they’re just as useful for anyone setting up a station, taking on a new client or performing a higher-risk procedure. These questions can be woven into everyday practice, quietly guiding decisions without slowing things down.

So, What Are the 4 Safety Critical Questions?

The four safety critical questions, as taught in SSSTS, are:

• What are the risks of the task?

• Who could be harmed and how?

• What controls are in place to prevent harm?

• What else can be done to make the task safer?

Now, let’s break those down in the context of a body art studio and explore how each one plays a role in keeping clients safe, staff sharp and standards high.

1. What Are the Risks of the Task?

Before a needle touches skin, every artist or piercer should understand exactly what hazards are at play. Is the client prone to fainting? Are you working in an awkward position that increases physical strain? Are you dealing with a cover-up that involves layering darker pigments or stretching skin that’s already scarred?

Thinking ahead about risk forces you to slow down and acknowledge potential complications. Even a simple lobe piercing has risks incorrect angle, allergic reaction to jewellery, or minor bleeding. Laser tattoo removal? Potential for burns, blisters or pigment changes. Every task has its own hazards. Aware is always better than reactive.

2. Who Could Be Harmed and How?

This question reminds us that health and safety is not just about you it’s about everyone in the space. Could the client suffer pain, infection or an unexpected reaction? Could you, as the artist, be exposed to a bloodborne pathogen due to improper PPE? Could a customer’s companion wander too close to your working area and accidentally get in harm’s way?

Recognising who could be affected and how adds a layer of empathy to your risk management. It’s not just about ticking a box—it’s about actively protecting people in real terms.

3. What Controls Are in Place to Prevent Harm?

This is the nuts and bolts of studio safety. Gloves, aprons, sharps bins, sterile packaging, consent forms, aftercare leaflets, cleaning protocols this is where policies come to life. Controls could also include client screening questions, patch tests for pigments, machine maintenance checks or ensuring a second piercer is present during advanced procedures.

By regularly asking yourself what protections are already in place, you begin to identify weak spots. Maybe a rule exists, but isn’t being followed consistently. Maybe something’s outdated and needs reviewing. The key here is not just having controls, but checking whether they are actually working.

4. What Else Can Be Done to Make the Task Safer?

This is where the culture of constant improvement kicks in. If something’s “fine” but could be better why not do better? Could the lighting be improved for delicate hand work? Could the tray layout be adjusted to minimise hand crossovers? Could new artists benefit from a refresher on infection control even if they’re qualified?

This question stops complacency in its tracks. It reminds everyone that good enough is a baseline not the finish line. Studios that embed this mindset tend to evolve faster, stay safer and retain their best people longer.

Putting the Questions into Practice

These questions are only as good as the people asking them. They shouldn’t just exist on a laminated poster in the break room. Ideally, they become part of everyday conversation. Apprentices should hear them from mentors. Studio managers should raise them in team briefings. Artists should ask themselves mentally or out loud whenever they feel things could be tighter or safer.

They’re especially useful before starting anything new or unfamiliar. Trying out a new ink brand? Installing a new armrest? Changing your tray set-up? Ask the questions. You’ll not only reduce your risk you’ll probably make your process more efficient too.

Why This Approach Wins Client Trust

From a client’s perspective, safety isn’t about certifications it’s about behaviour. When a client sees you checking your kit, swapping gloves, explaining aftercare, and maintaining a sterile workspace, they know they’re being taken seriously. These questions underpin that trust. They may be invisible to the client, but their effects are not.

Studios that consistently apply these safety principles tend to gain a reputation not just for skill, but for professionalism. And in today’s competitive industry, that really does matter.

A Final Thought

The 4 safety critical questions might come from the world of construction, but they slot seamlessly into the tattoo and piercing studio. They offer a moment to pause, think, and take ownership before each procedure and that pause could be the difference between routine and regret. From artists to apprentices, these questions deserve a place in every tattooist’s toolkit not just for compliance, but for peace of mind, pride in the craft, and the long-term safety of everyone involved.