Skip navigation
Public Notice: Infection Prevention and Control lapse at Walk-In Clinic in Burlington. More info →

Personal Service Settings

Personal Service Settings

About personal service settings

A personal service setting (PSS) is described in the Health Protection and Promotion Act as a premises at which personal services are offered where there is a risk of exposure to blood or body fluids. These services include, but are not limited to:

  • piercing and tattooing
  • aesthetics
  • micropigmentation and microblading
  • microneedling and microdermabrasion
  • hair salons and barbers
  • electrolysis and laser hair removal

Halton Region’s public health inspectors routinely inspect PSS in both commercial and private home settings to minimize the risk of contracting blood-borne and other types of infections during the delivery of these services.

Relevant legislation

Public health inspectors ensure infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices are in place within a PSS as mandated by:

Protecting yourself when visiting a personal service setting

To help protect the safety and health of residents, Halton Region performs inspections of various settings. Residents can easily view or request inspection results by completing the online Health Department Inspection Results form, emailing accesshalton@halton.ca or calling 311 . Once you submit a request, a Public Health Inspector (PHI) will call you to discuss the inspection results.

In Halton Region, PHIs inspect PSS once a year. During every visit, a disclosure sign is provided and must be posted at the main entrance.

What to look for when visiting a personal service setting

  • A summary inspection report issued by Halton Region Public Health.
  • Work areas should be clean, organized and well-lit.
  • All equipment and work surfaces should be in good condition with no cracks, dust or debris.
  • Workers are washing hands before and after providing service to clients.
  • Single-use items (such as toe separators and nail files) are disposed of after each client.

Reporting concerns to Halton Region Public Health

  • Halton Region Public Health inspects facilities following a complaint about improper IPAC practices that may pose a risk to public health.
  • If you have concerns about a PSS or the procedure being performed, report them to Halton Region Public Health. When reporting concerns, complainant identity remains confidential.
  • If an IPAC lapse is identified through assessment and investigation by a PHI, the inspection report can be found on Halton’s IPAC Lapse Disclosure page.
  • The list of PSS that have been convicted of an offense during the previous two years under the Ontario Personal Service Setting Regulation 136/18 can be found below (under "Convictions").

Information for personal service setting operators

At least 14 days before opening a new business, taking over an existing business, adding a new service or renovating your business location:

  • contact Halton Region Public Health using the online notification form or call 311 ; and
  • contact the Local Municipal office (of the City/Town where you plan to locate).

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.

  • 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).

Instruments are classified into four categories, including:

  • critical;
  • semi-critical;
  • non-critical requiring intermediate level disinfection; and
  • non-critical requiring low level disinfection.
Refer to Public Health Ontario’s Classes of Equipment and Instruments document (external PDF) for more information.

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:

Disinfection level Amount of bleach for 4 cups (1L) of water Contact time
High level ½ cup 10 minutes
Intermediate level 4 teaspoons 10 minutes
Low level ½ teaspoon 10 minutes

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.

Convictions

  • Establishment: Hair In Style
  • Address: 280 Guelph St, Halton Hills
  • Offence Description: Reusable equipment not cleaned and disinfected or sterilized between each use
  • Date of Conviction: May 13, 2025

  • Establishment: Marie's Hair Studio
  • Address: 362 Kerr St, Oakville
  • Offence Description: Reusable equipment not cleaned and disinfected or sterilized between each use
  • Date of Conviction: May 9, 2025

  • Establishment: Pedi N Nails Oakville
  • Address: P1040B-210 North Service Rd, Oakville
  • Offence Description: Personal Service Setting - single use equipment not discarded immediately after use
  • Date of Conviction: May 9, 2025

  • Establishment: Oakville Nail Bar
  • Address: 3-2460 Neyagawa Blvd, Oakville
  • Offence Description: Fail to ensure setting kept free from animals
  • Date of Conviction: April 25, 2025

  • Establishment: P and A Nails
  • Address: 572 Kerr St, Oakville
  • Offence Description: Fail to ensure personal service setting free from condition that may adversely affect sanitary operation
  • Date of Conviction: March 12, 2025

  • Establishment: Pedi N Nails Oakville
  • Address: P1040B-210 North Service Rd, Oakville
  • Offence Description:
    • Personal Service Setting - reusable equipment not cleaned and disinfected or sterilized between each use
    • Personal Service Setting - use equipment not maintained in sanitary condition
  • Date of Conviction: July 25, 2024

  • Establishment: B&B Nails Spa
  • Address: 5-4155 Fairview St, Burlington
  • Offence Description: Single-use equipment not discarded immediately after use
  • Date of Conviction: March 20, 2024
Top