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Personal Service Settings

Personal service settings (PSS) include businesses that provide services such as:

  • Hairstyling and barbering
  • Tattooing and body piercing
  • Nail salons and aesthetics (e.g., manicures, pedicures, facials, waxing, eyelash extensions)
  • Electrolysis, microblading, and cosmetic tattooing
  • Other aesthetic services that involve contact with skin, hair or nails.

These services can carry a risk of spreading infections if proper infection prevention and control practices are not followed.

Operator Responsibilities

Under Personal Service Settings Regulation 136/18 made under the Health Protection and Promotion Act R.S.O. 1990 Ch.7, Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) inspect personal service settings to ensure they meet infection prevention and control (IPAC) requirements. As an operator, you are responsible for:

When to Notify Public Health

Owners/operators must provide written notice to public health (at least 14 days in advance) when:

  • Opening a new personal service setting
  • Adding or changing services (e.g., tattooing, body piercing, aesthetics)
  • Commencing renovation or construction
  • Changing ownership or moving to a new location

Complete our Notice of Personal Service Setting Operation form.

To help avoid delays and allow Public Health Inspectors time to review information, provide guidance and schedule inspections if needed, operators must provide written notice to public health at least 14 days in advance.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)

Owners and operators of personal service settings have a legal responsibility to ensure they and their staff understand and comply with Ontario Regulation 136/18. To keep your clients and staff safe, ensure:

  • All reusable equipment is properly cleaned and disinfected or sterilized.
  • Single-use items (e.g., needles, lancets, nail files) are discarded after one use.
  • Appropriate hand hygiene facilities for staff.
  • Appropriate cleaning sink available for reusable equipment (if applicable)
  • Work surfaces are cleaned and disinfected between clients.
  • Record keeping related to disinfection, sterilization, invasive procedures, and accidental exposures.
  • Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is available and used when needed.
  • Staff are trained in infection prevention and control practices.

For detailed guidance, review the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Infection Prevention and Control Guideline for Personal Service Settings.

Inspections

Public Health Inspectors will:

  • Conduct routine and follow-up inspections
  • Respond to infection control complaints
  • Provide education and resources to help you comply with requirements
  • Post inspection results online at CheckBeforeYouChoose.ca

If you have questions or would like more information on IPAC practices in your personal service setting, please contact congregatesetting@wdgpublichealth.ca or call 1-800-265-7293 ext 4752.

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