Personal Service Settings

• Before opening a new business or taking over an existing business, contact HRPH and the applicable Local Municipal office (of the City/Town where you plan to locate) at least 14 days before opening.
• Your business must comply with O. Reg. 136/18: Personal Service Setting (external link), and follow Public Health Ontario’s Guide to Infection Prevention and Control in Personal Service Settings, 3rd edition (external PDF) to ensure that your business meets IPAC requirements.

Business licenses are issued by the municipality where your PSS is located. Please contact the relevant municipality for any business license related inquiries. Health inspection will be required for all new PSS.

• Town of Oakville (external link) - 905-845-6601
• Town Of Milton (external link) - 905-878-7252
• Town of Halton Hills (external link) - 905-873-2600
• City of Burlington (external link) - 905-335-7777

• PSS must be free of any condition that could pose a health hazard or affect the sanitary operations of the facility.
• At least one sink must be dedicated for handwashing and one sink for cleaning reusable equipment.
• All reusable equipment must be properly cleaned and disinfected or sterilized between uses.
• Immediately discard any single-use equipment or instruments after they are used. Personal storage of single-use items is not permitted.
• All disinfectants must have a drug identification number (DIN) or natural product number (NPN) assigned by Health Canada and be used as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Certain services are now prohibited under O. Reg. 136/18: Personal Service Settings (external link). These include:
  • ear candling or coning; and
  • any personal service involving live aquatic species, including fish pedicures.
• It is also important to note the following services are prohibited under the Health Protection and Promotion Act:
  • scleral tattooing (tattooing of the eye); and
  • implantation of eye jewelry under the conjunctiva.
• For more information on requirements in PSS, refer to the O. Reg. 136/18: Personal Service Settings (external link) and the Guide to Infection Prevention and Control in Personal Service Settings (external PDF).

• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Body Modification (external PDF)
• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Body Piercing & Suspension (external PDF)
• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Ear Piercing with Hand-Held Devices (external PDF)
• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Electrolysis (external PDF)
• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Facials (external PDF)
• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Hair Salons and Barber Shops (external PDF)
• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Laser Hair & Tattoo Removal (external PDF)
• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Makeup Application (external PDF)
• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Manicures and Pedicures (external PDF)
• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Tattooing (external PDF)
• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Waxing, Sugaring & Threading (external PDF)

Instruments are classified into four categories, including:

• critical;
• semi-critical;
• non-critical requiring intermediate level disinfection; and
• non-critical requiring low level disinfection.

There are a wide range of products available to achieve low, medium and high-level disinfection. A popular and cost effective option is ordinary household bleach and water, using the following ratios:

• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Environmental Cleaning (external PDF)
• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Hand and Foot Tubs or Basins (external PDF)
• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Sterilization Equipment & Process (external PDF)
• CIPHI Ontario Fact Sheet – Sterilization Packaging & Monitoring (external PDF)

PSS operators are required to keep records of the following:

• The name and personal contact information for persons seeking personal services (with the exception of hairdressing and barbering).
• Invasive procedures, including tattooing, body piercing, microblading and microneedling.
• Sterilization parameters (if using an autoclave).
• A disinfection log for high-level disinfectants (including date prepared).
• Accidental exposures to blood or body fluids.

The above records must be kept on site for one year, on file for two years and are to be made available upon request by a PHI.

• Establishment: JK Hair and Nails
• Address: 2201 Brant St, Burlington  L7P 2N8
• Offence Description: Fail to ensure disinfectants are used per manufacturer's instructions 
• Date of Conviction: September 16, 2021

• Establishment: Posh Contessa Salon and Spa
• Address: 1860 Appleby Line, Unit 21, Burlington  L7L 0B7
• Offence Description: 
  • Personal service setting - reusable equipment not disinfected as often as necessary to prevent disease transmission
  • Personal service setting - single-use instrument not discarded immediately after use
• Date of Conviction: April 9, 2021

• Establishment: Tip and Toe Nails
• Address:  4021 Upper Middle Rd, Unit 2, Burlington  L7M 4G4
• Offence Description: 
  • Personal service setting - reusable equipment not disinfected as often as necessary to prevent disease transmission
  • Personal service setting - single-use instrument not discarded immediately after use
• Date of Conviction: January 29, 2021

• Establishment: Princess Nails
• Address:  666 Appleby Line, Burlington, L7L 5Y3
• Offence Description: Personal service setting - single-use instrument not discarded immediately after use
• Date of Conviction: January 29, 2021